Electricity Voltages Power OutletsTaiwan runs on 110V/60Hz, the same as the US. Know which plug types fit, when you need a converter, and where to buy one in Taipei.
Taiwan runs on 110V / 60Hz, identical to the United States and Canada. If your device is from North America, you almost certainly need nothing more than the right plug shape. If you're arriving from Europe, Australia, or the UK, read carefully: the voltage gap is real and a cheap adapter alone will not protect your appliances.
The Two Plug Types You'll Encounter
Taiwan's standard outlet is the Type A (two flat parallel blades, ungrounded). A second grounded variant, Type B (two flat blades plus a round grounding pin), appears in hotels, modern apartments, and any outlet installed after the 2000s electrical code updates. Both use the same 110V standard.
- Type A, found in older buildings, guesthouses, night-market food stalls with exposed strips
- Type B, found in hotels rated three stars and above, co-working spaces, and most outlets built after roughly 2005
- No earthing in older sockets, if you're charging a grounded (three-pin) laptop brick, the grounding pin simply floats; this is generally safe but do not use ungrounded sockets for high-powered tools
When You Need an Adapter (and When You Don't)
Travelers from the US and Canada: Your Type A plugs fit directly. No adapter required. Confirm your device's label reads "110–240V" or "100–240V" before plugging in, most modern laptops, phone chargers, and travel hairdryers do.
Travelers from the UK, Ireland, or Hong Kong: Your Type G (three rectangular blade) plugs will not fit. You need a Type G to Type A/B adapter. Because Taiwan is 110V and the UK runs at 230V, a passive adapter is only safe if your device explicitly states "100–240V" on the label.
Travelers from continental Europe: Your Type C or Type F (round two-pin "Schuko") plugs will not fit. Same rule applies: adapter required, and check the voltage rating first.
Travelers from Australia and New Zealand: Your Type I (angled flat blades) plugs will not fit. A Type I to Type A adapter handles the shape. Voltage check still mandatory.
Voltage mismatch destroys appliances
A 230V European hairdryer, travel iron, or electric shaver plugged into Taiwan's 110V supply without a step-up converter will either fail to work or burn out the motor. Converters (step-up transformers) are heavy but essential for high-wattage single-voltage devices.
What to Buy and Where in Taiwan
If you land without the right adapter, you have several easy options:
- Carrefour (家樂福), large branches in Taipei (Zhonghe, Neihu, Banqiao) stock a full range of travel adapters and universal power strips. Expect to pay NT$150–350 (roughly US$5–11) for a basic adapter.
- PChome / Momo online, if you have a day before you need it, next-day delivery to most addresses in Taiwan
- RT-Mart (大潤發), another hypermarket chain with reliable electrical sections
- 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, stock basic Type A USB-A / USB-C power strips and phone chargers but almost never carry international adapters
- Airport arrivals (Taoyuan Terminal 1 and 2), a small electronics kiosk near the taxi stand in each terminal sells adapters at roughly NT$250; convenient but limited selection
Grounded Sockets in Hotels: What to Expect
Most international hotels in Taipei (Marriott, W, Mandarin Oriental, Kimpton, Hyatt) wire their rooms with Type B grounded sockets and include a universal socket near the desk. Business hotels often provide a multi-plug power strip in the room already, worth checking before unpacking your adapter collection.
Homestays (民宿, mínsu) and older hostels in Tainan or Taitung's old quarters frequently have nothing but Type A two-pin strips, with limited socket count. Bring a compact travel power strip if you carry multiple devices.
Practical Checklist Before You Plug In
- Read the label on every device you plan to use: look for "Input: 100–240V" or "110V–240V"
- Identify your home plug type and whether it matches Type A or needs an adapter
- High-wattage single-voltage devices (some hair straighteners, clothes steamers, older electric shavers) need a step-up voltage converter, not just a shape adapter
- USB chargers and modern laptop bricks are almost always dual-voltage, confirm, then plug in freely
- Pack a short travel strip with two to three Type A sockets: Taiwanese outlets are often single or paired and set at desk height
Taiwan's 110V grid is stable and well-maintained. Outside of typhoon-season power fluctuations (July through September), voltage consistency is reliable enough that surge protection is optional rather than essential for most consumer electronics.
Taiwan socket type at a glance
Searches for Taiwan plug shape, socket type and voltage all point to the same preparation step: Taiwan uses Type A and Type B-style outlets and 110 V/60 Hz household power. Bring a suitable adapter, and use a voltage converter for appliances that are not rated for 110 V.
Electricity
Electricity
