Plug adapter for the United States from South Africa
What travellers from South Africa need to charge and power their devices in the United States: plugs, voltage and frequency, with the rest of the trip basics below.
Plug adapter
Needed
Bring a Types A and B adapter (or a universal one that covers both).
Voltage
Lower: 120 V
South Africa 230 V → the United States 120 V. 230 V-only devices need a step-up converter.
Frequency
Different
50 Hz → 60 Hz. Chargers don't mind; mains-timed clocks and some motors may run fast or slow.
Your plug, their socket
does not fit
does not fit
Your devices in the United States
Look for the “INPUT” line on the charger or label. A range such as 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz means the device adapts by itself and needs only a plug adapter.
| Device | Usually | In the United States |
|---|---|---|
| Phone, tablet and laptop chargers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Camera and power-bank chargers, e-readers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Electric shavers, toothbrushes | often 100–240 V; check | Check the label: single-voltage ones need a converter |
| Hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons | single voltage | Weak or won't run on 120 V: use the hotel's |
| Kettles, irons, travel cookers | single voltage, high power | Leave at home: converters for these are heavy and costly |
| Plug-in clocks, timers, some fans | 50 Hz | May run fast or slow on 60 Hz |
The rest of the trip basics
- Time
- The United States is 7 h behind of South Africa right now (UTC−5 vs UTC+2, capitals).
- Money
- The US Dollar (USD): 1 ZAR = 0.05992 USD (ECB reference rates, 2026-10-30). Everyday prices are about 231% of South Africa's.
- Driving
- Switch sides: the United States drives on the right (South Africa drives on the left). Look left first when crossing.
- Advisories
- UK: no FCDO warnings. Details
- Next holidays
- 11 Nov Veterans Day · 26 Nov Thanksgiving Day · 25 Dec Christmas Day All 13
- Calling code
- +1