Plug adapter for the United States from the United Kingdom
What travellers from the United Kingdom 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
The United Kingdom 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
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 5 h behind of the United Kingdom right now (UTC−5 vs UTC+0, capitals).
- Money
- The US Dollar (USD): 1 GBP = 1.34 USD (ECB reference rates, 2026-10-30). Everyday prices are about 108% of the United Kingdom's.
- Driving
- Switch sides: the United States drives on the right (the United Kingdom 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