Type C vs Type E vs Type F
Compare European plug standards: Europlug (C), French (E), and Schuko (F).
Type C
Type C
Voltage: 220-240V
Current: 2.5A
Grounded: No
Countries: 122
Type E
Type E
Voltage: 220-240V
Current: 16A
Grounded: Yes
Countries: 29
Type F
Type F
Voltage: 220-240V
Current: 16A
Grounded: Yes
Countries: 59
Key Differences
- Type C is ungrounded, E and F are grounded
- Type E has a grounding pin, Type F has grounding clips
- Type C fits in both E and F sockets
- E and F are not always compatible with each other
Similarities
- All use round pins
- Same voltage (230V) in Europe
- 19mm pin spacing for all
- Widely used across Europe
🎯 Real-World Travel Compatibility
⚠️
Practical Travel Reality
Physical compatibility doesn't guarantee real-world usability. Here's what travelers actually encounter:
Type C
122 countries officially, 33 as primary
PRIMARY usage: 33 countries
Dominant in: Afghanistan, Burundi, Chile, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt
SECONDARY/LEGACY: 89 countries
Found in some outlets but not reliable for travelers
Type E
29 countries officially, 23 as primary
PRIMARY usage: 23 countries
Dominant in: Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic
SECONDARY/LEGACY: 6 countries
Found in some outlets but not reliable for travelers
Type F
59 countries officially, 43 as primary
PRIMARY usage: 43 countries
Dominant in: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan
SECONDARY/LEGACY: 16 countries
Found in some outlets but not reliable for travelers
⚠️ Traveler Warnings
🇪🇺 In Europe: Type C works universally but only for low-power devices. For high-power appliances, you need the local grounded standard (E in France, F in Germany).
💡 Why this matters: Most travel guides list theoretical compatibility. This analysis shows what plugs you'll actually find in 90%+ of outlets.
