Plug adapter for the United Kingdom from the United States
What travellers from the United States need to charge and power their devices in the United Kingdom: plugs, voltage and frequency, with the rest of the trip basics below.
Plug adapter
Needed
Bring a Type G adapter.
Voltage
Higher: 230 V
The United States 120 V → the United Kingdom 230 V. Devices made for 110–120 V only need a step-down converter.
Frequency
Different
60 Hz → 50 Hz. Chargers don't mind; mains-timed clocks and some motors may run fast or slow.
Your plug, their socket
In the United Kingdom: Type G is the standard socket. Types D and M survive only on special circuits (switched lamps, stage lighting); bathrooms may have a two-pin shaver socket.
Your devices in the United Kingdom
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 Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Will burn out on 230 V: buy a dual-voltage model or 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 | 60 Hz | May run fast or slow on 50 Hz |
A plug adapter does not change voltage. Plugging a 120 V-only appliance into 230 V through an adapter will destroy it within seconds and can start a fire.
The rest of the trip basics
- Time
- The United Kingdom is 5 h ahead of the United States right now (UTC+0 vs UTC−5, capitals).
- Money
- The British Pound (GBP): 1 USD = 0.7463 GBP (ECB reference rates, 2026-10-30). Everyday prices are about 92% of the United States'.
- Driving
- Switch sides: the United Kingdom drives on the left (the United States drives on the right). Look right first when crossing.
- Advisories
- US: Level 2 Exercise increased caution. Details
- Next holidays
- 25 Dec Christmas Day · 26 Dec Boxing Day · 28 Dec Boxing Day (observed) All 7
- Calling code
- +44