China Power Plugs, Wall Sockets & Electrical Outlets
In China, power plugs and sockets (electrical outlets) of Type A (NEMA 1-15, two flat parallel pins, ungrounded), Type C (CEE 7/16 (Europlug), two round pins, ungrounded) and Type I (AS/NZS 3112, two angled flat pins plus vertical grounding pin, grounded) are used. Wall sockets run at 220V and 50Hz. Check if you need a travel adapter, electrical adapter or voltage converter before travelling to China.
Check Adapter Compatibility
Do you need an adapter for your trip?
China uses:
What Plug Type Does China Use?
The China power plug situation is somewhat unusual because the country officially uses two different plug types rather than just one. Most sockets across China accept the Type A plug, a flat two-pin design familiar to travelers from North America and Japan, as well as the Type I plug, a three-pin design with two angled flat pins and a vertical grounding pin borrowed from the Australasian AS/NZS 3112 standard. Many modern Chinese outlets are actually designed to accept both plug types in the same socket, which makes travel easier than in countries with a single fixed standard.
Dual-Voltage Devices and China
If you're traveling to China with electronics from a region that uses a different plug shape, you will likely need a travel adaptor to physically fit your device into a Chinese socket. Many phone chargers, laptop chargers, and camera battery chargers are dual-voltage, meaning they automatically adjust to China's 220V supply, so in these cases only a plug adaptor is needed rather than a separate voltage converter. Always check the voltage rating printed on your charger or appliance before plugging it in, since single-voltage devices built for 100-127V systems can be damaged on China's 220-240V supply.
Electrical Standards in China: Voltage, Frequency & Plug Type
China's AC power plugs and sockets are built around a single national electrical standard of 220 volts at 50Hz, which is consistent across the entire country regardless of which plug type a particular outlet uses. The Type I plug found in China is grounded and rated for 10 amps, making it suitable for household appliances, electronics, and equipment like air conditioners that require a stable earth connection. The Type A plug used alongside it is ungrounded and generally reserved for smaller devices such as phone chargers and lamps that don't need grounding protection.
Voltage and Frequency in China
Because China runs on 220V at 50Hz, travelers arriving from 100-127V countries such as the United States, Canada, or Japan should pay close attention to their device voltage ratings. Devices designed only for 100-127V operation will require a voltage converter in addition to a plug adaptor, while dual-voltage electronics will function normally with just a simple adapter.
- Voltage: 220V, Frequency: 50Hz
- Type A: two flat parallel pins, ungrounded, 15A, used for small low-power devices
- Type I: two angled flat pins plus a vertical grounding pin, a grounded 3-pin plug rated at 10A, used for larger household appliances
- Many Chinese sockets accept both Type A and Type I plugs in the same outlet
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on where you're traveling from. If your home country already uses Type A or Type I plugs, such as the United States, Australia, or New Zealand, you may not need an adapter at all. Otherwise, you'll need a travel adaptor that fits your existing plug shape into China's Type A or Type I sockets.
Most modern phone chargers are dual-voltage and designed to handle a range from around 100V to 240V, so they can safely handle China's 220V, 50Hz supply without a converter. You'll still likely need a simple plug adapter to match China's Type A or Type I socket shapes, but a voltage converter typically isn't necessary.
China uses two plug types: Type A, the ungrounded two-pin plug also common in North America and Japan, and Type I, the grounded three-pin plug shared with Australia and New Zealand. Many Chinese outlets are designed to accept both plug types interchangeably.
It depends on the plug type in use. Type I sockets in China are grounded, featuring a vertical earth pin alongside the two angled flat pins, and are rated for 10A. Type A sockets, by contrast, are ungrounded and typically used for smaller electronics that don't require an earth connection.
