France plug types, what you need before you fly

France uses Type E and Type C sockets at 230 volts and 50 hertz. If you’re visiting France from the US, you will need an adapter. Whether or not you need a voltage converter depends on what electronics you’re planning to bring.  

That answers everything you need to know in just a couple of sentences. However, what follows is everything the quick answer leaves out – including why a correct adapter may not go into a French wall, and which kinds of electronics warrant a converter... and there are a few.

What plug type does France use?

France uses Type E and Type C sockets. They are round and recessed with two circular holes. There’s also a small metal pin that sticks out at the top, which is part of the wall, not the plug. In France, the standard voltage is 230 V at 50 Hz.

Type E, the French standard

First, Type E and Type C plugs and sockets work together interchangeably. A Type E plug has two round pins that are 4.8 millimeters across, with 19 millimeters between them. There’s also a hollow receptacle that slides over the pin projecting from the socket (this is the grounding pin). 

For some types of plugs and sockets, grounding happens through metal clips on the sides of the sockets rather than a central pin. Almost all European appliances in stores today have a hybrid plug with notches for this kind of grounding, as well as a hole for the French center pins too. That’s if you buy your electronics in Europe, however. 

The Type C option

Like Type E, Type C sockets have two pins, but no grounding pin. This means that Type C plugs fit into Type E sockets, but with less stability than a Type E plug. While many buildings in France do not have grounded sockets, nowadays all new builds have to have them. 

If you’re just visiting France, it won’t really make a difference in practice, but it’s good to know the difference.

Do you need a plug adapter for France?

It depends on where your plugs come from. Americans, Canadians, Britons, Australians, New Zealanders, Japanese, and Swiss travelers are among the many who need them. If you have plugs from Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, and most of continental Europe, you do not. 

Travelers from the United States and Canada

Yes, you need an adapter. North American Type A and Type B plugs have flat “pins” that cannot enter round holes, no matter which direction you turn them. Luckily, getting an adapter is easy. The part that gets a little bit more complicated is voltage, covered further down. 

Travelers from the United Kingdom

Yes, you need one. Despite both the UK and France sharing the same voltage (230), the UK has a different socket and plug shape. It’s the Type G plug with three rectangular pins in a triangular format. The good news is that since the voltage is identical, you won’t need a converter, regardless of which electronics you’re planning to bring with you, unlike travelers from the States, for example.

Which adapter should you choose?

There are four things you should look at: you need a design that will seat fully in the wall socket, a grounding port if you are carrying anything with a three-pin plug, USB-C outputs if you’d rather charge your devices directly, and a CE mark.  The CE mark shows that the electronic meets the EU standards for safety, health, and also environmental protection.

Why your adapter may not fit properly

When you’re reading the reviews for adapters, you may come across some that mention fit issues.

French sockets sit inside a circular recess in the wall plate. A flat adapter can hit the rim, meaning it can’t fully seat into the socket. This is also true for bulky universal blocks with parts that slide in and out. While they can still connect, they might be wobbly, fall out of the socket, or get too hot when they’re in use. 

The second is the grounding pin itself. Adapters without a matching recess don’t seat fully. This is why it’s best to buy an adapter that specifically lists it’s compatible with Type E sockets, versus a “generic European adapter”. 

The grounding problem nobody mentions

Not all adapters have inputs for grounded plugs. In the US, for example, a grounded plug is one that has the third cylindrical pin underneath the two vertical ones (3-prong versus two). For phone chargers, that might be irrelevant since they typically don’t have that grounding. For laptops with three-prong US plugs, though, it’ll matter. If you’re traveling with a three-prong socket (from the US or Canada), you need to buy an adapter that explicitly provides grounding. 

Universal adapter or France-specific?

If you travel a lot to different countries, universal adapters make sense. However, they’re almost always bulkier, heavier, and less mechanically stable than a dedicated adapter. If France is your only destination, it’s not a bad idea to just get a Type E adapter instead of a universal one.

Voltage and frequency in France

230 V at 50 Hz: what that really means

France runs at 230 volts and 50 hertz, which is actually what the entire EU uses. The United States runs 120 volts at 60 hertz – which is different. This means that French electrical lines carry close to double the voltage that your home delivers if you live in the US or Canada. 

One thing that travel guides never really talk about is the range of voltage allowed. Under EN 50160, the European standard that governs supply quality, there is a range allowed, which means the voltage isn’t necessarily 230 on the nose. The range is 230 volts plus or minus 10%, which means anywhere from 207 to 253 volts is still compliant. 

Hertz, on the other hand, is a different thing. It is the frequency at which the alternating current comes out of the wall. So, it is looking at how many times the current changes direction. 50 Hz means that there are 50 complete cycles in a single second. 60 Hz means there are 60. For personal devices like phones and laptops, Hertz doesn’t really matter. For motorized electronics, like wall clocks, washing machines, and fans, for example, it does. Unless you’re packing a dishwasher in your bag, you probably don’t need to worry about it. 

Adapter or converter: the difference that matters

Adapters safely change the shape of the plug, allowing your plug to fit into a foreign socket. Converters, also called transformers, change the voltage. They’re different tools that solve different problems, and confusing the two can run you the risk of ruining a personal applicance, like a hair dryer. 

Some electronics have built-in dual-voltage systems. This means that they work across different voltages without the need for a converter. An example of this is your phone charger or laptop. Other electronics are single-voltage, meaning they’re designed to be used with a specific voltage. Examples of these are tea kettles, hair dryers, curling irons, etc.

Do you need a voltage converter for France?

Sometimes. Most personal electronic devices are dual-voltage, which is super convenient and also means they will works between 100 and 240 volts. Converters are necessary, however, for single-voltage products with heating elements or motors. 

Dual-voltage devices need nothing extra

Your iPhone charger, Macbook, Samsung charger, Dell and HP laptops, camera battery chargers, e-readers, Bluetooth speakers, and electric toothbrush chargers are all typically dual-voltage – so is every USB charger sold in the last decade, for the most part. Older laptops and cellphones may not be dual, so make sure to check just in case. 

For the most part, when you plug any of these into an adapter, they’ll run at regular, full performance.

Single-voltage devices, hair dryers, flat irons, etc.

If you plug a US hair dryer marked 120 V (which is most of them) into an adapter without a converter, you run the risk of ruining it. This is because the hair dryer will receive roughly double the voltage it’s designed for. The heating element will draw in significantly more power than it needs, which means you can get anything from a burning smell to a tripped circuit, or even a fried appliance that no longer works. It’s also a fire hazard.

It isn’t uncommon for transformers to cost more than the actual hair tool itself… which makes whether or not you should invest in one an even more complicated question. Plus, they tend to weigh a fair bit, which is something to considered if you're worried about the weight of your luggage.

What to do if your device is not compatible

Most French hotels provide hair dryers, and if you’re not sure, you can reach out to them before your trip to see. If you rely on your hair tools and plan to travel a lot, dual-voltage flat irons and curling irons do exist, which might be a good option for you. 

Will your phone or laptop charger work in France?

Yes, with a plug adapter. Apple, Samsung, Google, Dell, Lenovo, and HP chargers are all dual-voltage (double-check any laptops purchased more than a decade ago). 

How to read the label in ten seconds

Turn your charger over to where the fine print is listed. Look for the word Input. You’re looking for 100-240V~ 50/60Hz. If you see this, it means the charger is dual-voltage, and you do not need a converter (you still need an adapter). 

If you see 120V or 110V alone, your electronic is not designed to be used in Europe, and you would need to purchase a transformer. 

The text can be pretty small, and it isn’t always printed. Sometimes it’s moulded into the plastic, which can make it a bit hard to read. One trick is to take a photo with your phone camera and then zoom into the photo to read it. 

The chargers that are not automatically dual voltage

There are a few types of chargers you’ll want to check before you travel. Power supplies for older audio equipment like guitar pedals aren’t always dual-voltage. Bundled or unbranded chargers (even for phones) may not be dual-voltage, especially if you bought them on deep discount.

Where to buy an adapter for France

Before you leave

Usually, buying an adapter online will give you the most options, and the easiest way to compare prices. Make sure you order it ahead of time, though, to allow for shipping and delivery. 

Many stores also carry adapters. Big box stores like Target and Walmart typically have them in their luggage/travel accessories aisles. Electronics-focused stores usually do as well.

You can also purchase one at the airport if you forgot, usually in a convenience store, but those will come at a premium. 

Once you are in France

You can also purchase an adapter once you're in France at stores like FNAC, Darty, and Boulanger. Relay newsagents in airports and train stations typically carry them. Sometimes grocery stores like Carrefour and Monoprix have them too. 

Tourist souvenir shops tend to have them, but it isn’t guaranteed. 

While you can do this, it's better to get one before you travel, usually. This way you know that you have a charger when you need it, and you don't run the risk of draining your battery using Google Maps in search of a store that carries them.

You can also consider skipping buying an adapter if you’re only traveling with your laptop and phone. A GaN USB-C charger with a European plug will allow you to plug your cords right into the charging block, if that's what you prefer to use. Then, you have a charging block to use every time you travel to France, and many other European countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a European Type C plug in France? 

Are French and British sockets the same?

Does a Type C plug work in a Type E socket? 

Do French hotels provide adapters?

Will my American power strip work in France?

What about French overseas territories?

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