Do I Need an Adapter? Powered by Caballeros Vacations

China: plug type, voltage, and travel adapter guide

Plug types
Type A
Type C
Type I
Voltage
230V
Frequency
50Hz

China uses Type A, Type C, Type I outlets at 230V, 50Hz.

Note: The special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau use type G.

Do travellers to China need an adapter?

It depends where you're coming from. Here's what we'd pack from the most common origins. Click any row for the full per-pair breakdown.

From Plug adapter Voltage converter Full guide
Australia
Type I · 230V
 Not needed Not needed Australia → China
Germany
Type C, F · 230V
 Not needed Not needed Germany → China
France
Type C, E · 230V
 Not needed Not needed France → China
Italy
Type C, F, L · 230V
 Not needed Not needed Italy → China
Spain
Type C, F · 230V
 Not needed Not needed Spain → China
Netherlands
Type C, F · 230V
 Not needed Not needed Netherlands → China
Switzerland
Type C, J · 230V
 Not needed Not needed Switzerland → China
Belgium
Type C, E · 230V
 Not needed Not needed Belgium → China
United States
Type A, B · 120V
 Not needed Check devices United States → China
Canada
Type A, B · 120V
 Not needed Check devices Canada → China
United Kingdom
Type G · 230V
 Needed Not needed United Kingdom → China
Ireland
Type G · 230V
 Needed Not needed Ireland → China

Frequently asked

What type of plug does China use?
China uses Type A and Type C and Type I outlets at 230V, 50Hz.
What's the voltage in China?
China runs on 230V at 50Hz — that's the high-voltage standard. Dual-voltage devices (most phones, laptops, modern chargers labelled "100-240V") work as-is. Single-voltage devices like hair dryers, curling irons, and travel kettles do not without a converter.
Do I need a travel adapter for China?
Only if your home country uses a different plug type. Travellers from any country whose plugs aren't Type A/C/I will need an adapter. Use the table above or the calculator to check your specific pair.

Check a specific pair

Not coming from one of the origins above? Drop your actual starting country in and we'll compute the verdict for you.