Plugs, sockets & voltage

Plugs in Brazil: same socket, two voltages

UK plugs and appliancesAdapter + check voltageChecked 22 October 2026

Brazil uses Type N sockets, which also take two-pin Europlugs. The catch is voltage: 127V in places like Rio and São Paulo, 220V in Brasília and much of the north-east. Chargers don't care. Hair dryers do.

No adapter needed
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Adapter + check voltage

RatingAdapter + check voltage

Socket typesN, C

Areas covered2 on this page

Some hotels label sockets '110' or '220', and some have both. A slim two-pin adapter fits almost everywhere.

Voltage by area

Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas GeraisAdapter + check voltage
Mostly 127V. 230V hair tools struggle.
Brasília, Fortaleza, Recife, FlorianópolisBring a UK adapter
Mostly 220V, close to UK voltage.

Sockets you'll find

Type NBrazilian · 127/220V
Type CEuroplug · 220-240V

127V or 220V?

Brazil is unusual: the voltage depends on the state and sometimes the building. Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo mostly run at 127V, while Brasília and much of the north-east run at 220V. Phones and laptops handle either. Single-voltage UK hair dryers and straighteners only work properly on 220V, so check the label by the socket.

The Type N socket

Type N has three round pins and a recessed socket, introduced in 2011.
A thin two-pin Europlug fits Type N sockets, so a Type C adapter usually works.
Older buildings may still have US-style flat-pin sockets.
A universal adapter is the safest choice for a multi-stop trip.

Before you go

Check the label by the socket before plugging in anything with a heater.

Stay and do

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Questions people ask

What plug does Brazil use?

Type N, which also accepts a two-pin Europlug. Voltage is 127V or 220V depending on the city.

What voltage does Brazil use?

It depends on the city: 127V in places like Rio and São Paulo, 220V in Brasília and much of the north-east.

Does a two-pin European adapter work in Brazil?

Usually, yes. Brazil's Type N sockets also take a slim two-pin Europlug.

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Waymark summarises official UK government (FCDO) travel advice and other public sources to help you plan. It is not a substitute for that advice, which can change at short notice. Always read the latest FCDO page for your destination and check your insurance before you book. Content last checked 22 October 2026.