Travel Adapter for the US
& American Plug Types
United States Plug Types & Outlets
Including: Hawaii
- Voltage
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120 V
- Frequency
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60 Hz
The United States uses plug types A and B with matching outlets. Voltage: 120 V, Frequency: 60 Hz.
Your American (type A/B) plugs will fit the American outlets.
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Adapter Required?
(See recommended adapters) - No
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Voltage Converter
Useful?
(More info) - No
USA to US Plug Adapters
Our Adapter Recommendation
You do not need any plug adapters.
United States Electrical Supply
The United States uses plug types A and B with matching outlets.
The electrical supply voltage is 120 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.
Voltage Converters
Please be aware that whilst a power adapter will allow you to physically insert a US plug into a American outlet it will not change the voltage or frequency of the local mains supply.
Voltage - The American mains supply is 120 V, which is within the normal US range of 120 V +/- 5%, so American appliances are compatible.
Frequency - The US 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 American supply voltage, check our transformers page for further information and available options for transformers and power converters that you can use in the US. 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.
United States 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Travel Adapters for the US
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The US uses type A and B plugs, which are ungrounded and grounded variants.
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The US uses type A and B outlets, which are ungrounded and grounded variants.
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American travelers do not need a plug adapter. No voltage converter is required for US appliances.
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American travelers do not need a voltage converter. The American mains supply is 120 V, which is within the normal US range, so American appliances are compatible.
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As American travelers don't need a plug adapter you should be able to use your normal charging equipment.