Knowing whether your destination uses 110V or 220–240V power is the first question to answer when packing electronics for international travel. This comprehensive reference lists countries by their mains voltage standard, organized by world region. For a fully interactive lookup with compatibility results for your specific devices, use our voltage checker tool.

How to Use This List

The world divides into two broad voltage camps: the 110–120V / 60Hz standard (primarily North America and Japan) and the 220–240V / 50Hz standard (Europe, Africa, most of Asia, Oceania). Some countries and regions fall outside this clean split β€” notably South America, which has significant per-country variation, and Japan, which uses 100V.

If your device label says "100–240V", it works in every country listed below with only a plug adapter. If it says "120V only", you need a step-down converter in all 220–240V countries. Use the adapter vs converter guide to understand exactly what you need.

110–120V Countries (North American Standard)

These countries use mains voltage of 100–127V at 60Hz (or 50Hz in Japan's case). Devices rated 120V work here without a converter. US and Canadian devices work directly (with any plug adapter needed for different socket types).

CountryVoltageFrequencyPlug Type(s)
United States120V60HzA, B
Canada120V60HzA, B
Mexico127V60HzA, B
Japan100V50/60HzA, B
Cuba110V60HzA, B, C
El Salvador120V60HzA, B, C
Guatemala120V60HzA, B
Haiti110V60HzA, B
Honduras110V60HzA, B
Nicaragua120V60HzA, B
Panama110V60HzA, B
Puerto Rico (US territory)120V60HzA, B
Venezuela120V60HzA, B
Colombia110V60HzA, B
Ecuador120V60HzA, B
Liberia (Africa)120V60HzA, B
Taiwan110V60HzA, B

Mixed Voltage Countries (Regional Variation)

These countries have significant regional voltage variation β€” always verify the specific voltage at your accommodation before connecting single-voltage devices.

CountryVoltageNotes
Brazil127V / 220VVaries by city. SΓ£o Paulo 127V; Rio 220V. Dual-voltage devices safe everywhere.
Peru220V (some 110V)Most outlets 220V; some older buildings retain 110V.
Philippines220VUses 220V but accepts Type A plugs β€” misleads some US travelers.
Saudi Arabia220V (some 127V)Older buildings may have 127V circuits.
Dominican Republic110VNominally 110V but supply is often unstable β€” use surge-protected adapters.

220–240V Countries (European/International Standard)

This is the most common standard worldwide. The vast majority of countries use 220–240V at 50Hz. North American 120V-only devices require a step-down converter in all these countries.

⚠ For North American travelers: Check every device label before traveling to any country in the following list. Devices rated 100–240V are safe with only a plug adapter. Devices rated 120V only will be destroyed without a voltage converter.

Europe (All 220–240V / 50Hz)

All European countries use 220–240V at 50Hz. Plug types vary: most of continental Europe uses Type C/E/F, UK and Ireland use Type G, Switzerland uses Type J, Italy uses Type L, and Denmark uses Type K.

Africa (Mostly 220–240V / 50Hz)

With the sole exception of Liberia (120V, 60Hz), the entire African continent uses 220–240V at 50Hz. See our complete Africa power guide for country-by-country plug type details.

Asia (Mixed, Mostly 220–240V)

Most of Asia uses 220–240V at 50Hz. Key exceptions: Japan (100V/50–60Hz) and Taiwan (110V/60Hz) use lower voltages. The Philippines, though using 220V, accepts Type A plugs which can mislead US travelers.

Oceania (220–240V / 50Hz)

Australia (230V), New Zealand (230V), and most Pacific island nations use 220–240V at 50Hz. Type I plugs (angled flat pins) are standard for Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

South America (Variable)

South America has significant voltage variation β€” more than any other region. Brazil is the most complicated, with 127V in some cities and 220V in others. Argentina and Uruguay use 220V. Colombia and Ecuador use 110V. Always verify locally before connecting single-voltage devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries use 110V like the US? +
The main 110–120V countries are the USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and most of Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama). In South America: Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Taiwan also uses 110V. Liberia in Africa is the only African country on 120V. Outside these regions, assume 220–240V.
What voltage does China use? +
China uses 220V at 50Hz with Type A and Type I (Chinese version) sockets. US travelers need a plug adapter but not a converter for dual-voltage devices. Single-voltage 120V devices need a step-down converter.
What voltage does India use? +
India uses 230V at 50Hz. Plug types are primarily Type C and Type D (large round pins). US travelers need both a plug adapter and a voltage converter for single-voltage 120V devices. Dual-voltage devices (100–240V) need only a plug adapter.