Travel adapter from United Kingdom to China — do you need one?

Q: What plug is used in China?

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

Compare the plug shapes, voltage and frequency in United Kingdom and China, and find out which adapter you need before you travel.

Adapter required

Yes — coming from United Kingdom, you will need a travel adapter for China. United Kingdom uses Type G plugs, and China uses Type A/Type C/Type I, so the pin shapes will not fit any wall socket.

United Kingdom (home)

Type G Three rectangular pins 220–240V

China (destination)

Type A Two flat parallel pins 100–127V Type C Two round pins (Europlug) 220–240V Type I Two or three flat angled pins 220–240V

Electrical specifications in China

Voltage

United Kingdom 230 V

China 230 V

Match

Frequency

United Kingdom 50 Hz

China 50 Hz

Match

More about plugs in China

In China, the standard power plug is Type A and Type C and Type I. The country runs on 230 volts at 50 Hz. That means wall sockets in China can be one of 3 different shapes — Type A, Type C, Type I, and your plug needs to physically match the socket to fit.

Full China plug guide