Travel Adapter for South Korea
& South Korean Plug Types
South Korea Plug Types & Outlets
- Voltage
-
110 / 220 V
- Frequency
-
60 Hz
South Korea uses plug types A, B, C and F with matching outlets. Voltage: 110 / 220 V, Frequency: 60 Hz.
Your American (type A/B) plugs will fit some (but not the most common) South Korean outlets.
Type C/F outlets are the most common so our recommendation is a US to type C/F plug adapter for maximum compatibility.
-
Adapter Required?
(See recommended adapters) - Yes
USA to South Korea Plug Adapters
Best choice
Our Adapter Recommendation
Our primary recommendation is for a type C/F plug adapter as that will fit the most commonly found outlets in South Korea. You may however be presented with any one of the outlets shown (types A, B, C and F).
A simple ungrounded adapter is compact and enough for phone chargers and most travel electronics. Models with USB or USB-C ports are useful when charging several devices, while PD ports are suitable for compatible laptops. For grounded equipment or several mains-powered appliances, choose a grounded adapter or power strip.
Our recommendations for the best US to South Korea travel adapters ensure that you'll always be able to connect your American type A/B plugs to the South Korean type A, B, C and F outlets.
Need some ideas for your trip? We found a helpful guide for planning a trip to South Korea that you might be able to get some useful information from, including local info, tips and ideas of interesting places to visit & things to do.
Choosing the Right Power Adapter
Having overcome the pesky differences in plug types and outlet configurations you now need to decide what sort of adapter suits your own, specific needs.
If you decide to buy an adapter, here are some useful features to consider:
- Grounded vs ungrounded adapters
- Multiplug adapters
- Extensions / power strip adapters (great for families)
- Integral USB / USB-C ports for charging devices like phones and tablets
- Dedicated charging hubs with multiple ports
- USB-C port with power delivery (PD) using GaN technology for laptop charging up to 140W
- Universal adapters (any plug to any outlet) for the ultimate in versatility
- Combined transformer / adapters
South Korea Electrical Supply
South Korea uses plug types A, B, C and F with matching outlets.
The electrical supply voltage is 110 / 220 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.
South Korea - Traveler Notes
Type F is normally found in offices, airports, hotels and homes. Type C (type CEE 7/17) sockets are obsolete as of 2008 but still found in a lot of places. In cases where a Type C socket was replaced with a Type F, the ground contact is often not connected to anything. 220 volt power is distributed by using both "live" poles of a 110 volt system (neutral is not used). 110 V/60 Hz power with plugs A & B were previously used but has already been phased out. Some residents install their own step-down transformers and dedicated circuits, so that they can use 110 V appliances imported from Japan or North America. Most hotels only have 220 V outlets, but some hotels offer both 110 V (Type A or B) and 220 V (Type C or F) outlets. Switches and outlets fit American-sized boxes.
Voltage Converters
Please be aware that whilst a power adapter will allow you to physically insert a US plug into a South Korean outlet it will not change the voltage or frequency of the local mains supply.
Voltage - Multiple voltages are in use in South Korea (110V / 220 V). It is therefore necessary to verify what the voltage is locally before plugging in an appliance. Some countries use different outlets for the different voltages but this is not always the case so always check first. US appliances will generally operate satisfactorily with a voltage in the range 114-126 V. Many appliances will also operate without a problem at lower voltages as well as at 127 V but you should check the voltage requirements of sensitive or critical equipment. Single-voltage appliances designed for 120 V will require a transformer or voltage converter to operate safely on a supply voltage over 220 V as this is well over the normal US range. It is extremely dangerous to attempt to operate appliances at voltages that are higher than they are rated for and it could result in damage to the appliance, fire and serious injury to the operator
Frequency - South Korea operates at 60 Hz, the same as the US. Frequency compatibility is therefore not a problem for US appliances.
Most modern travel gadgets, chargers and laptops are dual voltage and will work worldwide; check the appliance or power supply for an input such as 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz.
If you have equipment that is not compatible with the South Korean supply voltage, check our transformers page for further information and available options for transformers and power converters that you can use in South Korea. Voltage converters and transformers only change the voltage, not the frequency, of the supply. Changing the frequency requires specialist frequency-conversion equipment, which is not normally practical for travelers.
If you need to take items like hair dryers / straighteners that draw high current then see our hair straighteners page for information on how it can affect your choice of travel adapter.
South Korea Plug Type Specifications
Plug Type A
NEMA 1-15 class II ungrounded, rated at 15A. Commonly found in Central and North America.
The plug has 2 flat blades 1.5mm thick, 15.9 - 18.3 mm long and spaced 12.7mm apart. The neutral blade is 7.9mm wide whilst the live is 6.3mm wide, meaning the plug is polarized and can only be inserted into the outlet one way around. Some Japanese plugs have 2 equal width blades, making them unpolarized. Ungrounded type A outlets have not been permitted in new buildings across the USA and Canada for many years but they can still be found in older buildings.
Plug Type B
NEMA 5-15 class I grounded, rated at 15A. Commonly found in Central and North America.
The plug has 2 flat blades 1.5mm thick, 15.9 - 18.3 mm long and 6.3mm wide spaced 12.7mm apart. There is also a 4.8mm round or U shaped ground pin which is 3.2mm longer than the 2 blades in order to ensure that the appliance is grounded before the live electrical connection is made. The ground pin is offset from the 2 blades by 11.9mm.
The blades are uninsulated, making them dangerous as a partially pulled out plug can remain connected but the blades are exposed and could be touched, particularly by the fingers of a small child.
Plug Type C
Plug type C (CEE 7/16) is the most widely used electrical plug in the world but most common in Europe. It has 2, insulated, 4mm round pins spaced 19mm apart and 19mm long. The spacing of the pins tapers to 17.5mm at the tips assisting in gripping the outlet.
A second version (CEE 7/17) has 2, uninsulated, 4.8mm pins and is rated at either 10A or 16A for high power, ungrounded appliances.
Type C outlets are being phased out in most countries around the world and are being replaced with their grounded equivalents (Types E and F in Europe).
Plug Type F
Plug type F (CEE 7/4) is primarily used in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Eastern Europe and is rated at 16A. Commonly called the Schuko plug it has indentations top and bottom that contain metal contacts performing the grounding function. The plug has 2 4.8mm round pins that are 19mm long and spaced 19mm apart. Due to the symmetry of the plug it is unpolarized.
The outlet is recessed by 15mm to prevent electrocution risk in the event of a partially pulled out plug.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Travel Adapters for South Korea
-
South Korea uses type A, B, C and F plugs. Type C/F are the most commonly used.
-
South Korea uses type A, B, C and F outlets. Type C/F are the most commonly used.
-
There are multiple outlets used in South Korea. A type C/F adapter would be a good choice as that will fit the most commonly found outlets. Adapters with USB or USB-C ports are useful for directly charging compatible devices. Some US appliances may also require a voltage converter.
-
Multiple voltages are used in South Korea (110V / 220 V). Many travel gadgets are dual voltage and will work worldwide; check the appliance or power supply for an input such as 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz. The normal US voltage range is 114-126 V. Many appliances will also operate without a problem at lower voltages, but you should check the voltage requirements of critical or sensitive equipment. Single-voltage appliances designed for 120 V will require a voltage converter or transformer to operate safely with a supply of 220 V or higher. Do not plug a 120 V-only appliance into a 220 -240 V supply - it is dangerous.
-
To charge your phone in South Korea you can use your normal phone charger with a type C/F plug adapter. Modern phone chargers are normally dual voltage, but check the input rating before use.
Alternatively, you can use a travel adapter with built-in USB or USB-C ports and connect your phone directly with the appropriate charging cable. The adapter's USB ports convert the local supply to the voltage required by your phone, so no separate voltage converter is needed. -
Yes, type C plugs are fully compatible with the type C/F outlets used in South Korea.
-
Modern South Korean plug adapters tend to be a hybrid type C/E/F design, which has 2 round prongs, an integral ground socket and a pair of ground clips top and bottom. Here's a picture of a South Korea plug adapter.
