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United Kingdom: plug type, voltage, driving side and emergency number
Quick travel facts for United Kingdom (capital: London): which plug and voltage to pack for, which side of the road traffic uses, who to call in an emergency, and the calling code, currency and time zone. Data checked 2026-10-27.
Quick answers
What plug type does United Kingdom use?
United Kingdom uses type G plugs and sockets. Type G is three rectangular pins in a triangle. One of our two sources also lists type D and type M; we show only the types both sources confirm. All plug types by country.
What voltage does United Kingdom use?
United Kingdom uses a mains supply of about 230 V at 50 Hz. Voltage and frequency by country.
Which side of the road do they drive on in United Kingdom?
In United Kingdom, traffic drives on the left. Driving side by country.
What is the emergency number in United Kingdom?
The emergency number in United Kingdom is 112 or 999, for police, ambulance and fire. Emergency numbers by country.
What is the calling code for United Kingdom?
The international calling code for United Kingdom is +44. Dial it after your international access prefix, or type + at the start on a mobile phone. Calling codes by country.
What currency does United Kingdom use?
The official currency of United Kingdom is the British pound (GBP). Currency by country.
Do you tip in United Kingdom?
Not expected the way it is in some other countries, but customary in some circumstances as a sign of appreciation. A service charge may be added to the bill, especially in London or at expensive restaurants; it is compulsory only if it is displayed or stated before the meal. Summary of Wikipedia’s “List of tipping customs by country”; customs vary by venue. Tipping by country.
What time zone is United Kingdom in?
United Kingdom uses UTC+00:00 as its standard time. Clocks change for daylight saving time in at least part of the country. Time zones by country.
United Kingdom travel facts at a glance
| Plug types | Type G Also listed by one source only: D, M |
|---|---|
| Voltage and frequency | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Driving side | Drives on the left (left-hand traffic) |
| Emergency numbers | 112 or 999 (police, ambulance, fire) |
| International dialling code | +44 |
| Currency | British pound (GBP, £) |
| Tipping | Not expected the way it is in some other countries, but customary in some circumstances as a sign of appreciation. A service charge may be added to the bill, especially in London or at expensive restaurants; it is compulsory only if it is displayed or stated before the meal. |
| Time zone(s) | UTC+00:00 (standard time) |
| Daylight saving | Clocks change in at least part of the country |
Not shown for United Kingdom: official languages. Our sources either disagreed or only one source had it, so we left it out rather than guess.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a travel adapter for United Kingdom?
You need one if your devices have plugs that do not fit type G sockets. A travel adapter only changes the shape of the plug; it does not change the voltage.
Do I need a voltage converter for United Kingdom?
Most phone, laptop and camera chargers accept 100 to 240 V, so a plug adapter is usually enough: check the small print on the charger. Devices rated for 110 to 120 V only, such as some hair dryers and kitchen appliances from North America, need a converter or should not be used.
Is this travel information official?
No. GeoKnow is an independent site. The facts come from public datasets and are shown only where at least two sources agree. Always check official government travel advice before you go.
When was this checked?
The data was checked on 2026-10-27. Plugs, emergency numbers and currencies can change, so confirm important details before travelling.
Check before you travel
Data checked 2026-10-27. These facts are compiled from public datasets and are shown only where at least two independent sources agree. GeoKnow is an independent site and is not an official source: rules, plugs, emergency numbers and currencies can change. Before you go, confirm anything important with your government’s travel advice, the destination’s embassy, your airline, hotel or phone provider. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
More about United Kingdom
See the main United Kingdom country page for the capital, population, land neighbours and outline map. Learn it, then test yourself: Capital Hunt (the capital of United Kingdom is London), Outline, Guess the Flag, Neighbour Rush and Border Run, or browse all geography games.
Compare topics across countries: plug types, voltage and frequency, driving side, emergency numbers, calling codes, currencies, time zones and tipping.
Travel basics for neighbouring countries
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Sources: Plugs, voltage and frequency: Wikipedia “Mains electricity by country” and worldstandards.eu. Driving side: Wikipedia “Left- and right-hand traffic” and Wikidata. Emergency numbers: Wikipedia “List of emergency telephone numbers” and Wikidata. Calling codes: Wikipedia “List of telephone country codes”, Wikidata and REST Countries. Currency: REST Countries and Wikidata. Languages: REST Countries and Wikidata. Time zones: the IANA time zone database, cross-checked against Wikipedia or Wikidata. Tipping: Wikipedia “List of tipping customs by country” (single source, community edited).