The Argentina plug type is Type I: two flat pins set at an angle in a V shape plus a flat earth pin, on a nationwide 220 V, 50 Hz supply. Round-pin plugs from Brazil, Chile or continental Europe and the parallel flat pins used in North America do not fit without an adapter.
This guide covers what Argentine sockets look like under the official standard, how the voltage and frequency compare with Brazil and Chile, a comparison table, which adapter to buy and which devices work without a voltage converter. The rules come from Resolution 524/1998 of Argentina’s Secretariat of Industry, Trade and Mining, published in the Boletín Oficial on 26 August 1998, and from the Brazilian and Chilean rules cited in each section (checked in October 2026).
Argentina plug type: what Type I looks like
The Argentina plug type is Type I: two flat pins in a V and, on earthed versions, a vertical flat pin below them. Resolution 524/1998 requires earthed 10 A and 20 A plugs to follow the dimensions of the IRAM 2073 standard, and unearthed 10 A plugs to follow IRAM 2063.
In practice you will see two formats in hotels and rented flats:
- Three-hole socket (IRAM 2073): takes both two-pin and three-pin flat plugs. It is the standard in new and renovated buildings.
- Two-pin flat plug (IRAM 2063): used on double-insulated devices such as phone chargers and small hair dryers, and it fits the three-hole socket.
Older buildings may still have sockets that accept round pins, a leftover from before the resolution. The same rule allowed combined sockets that took plugs of different shapes to be sold only until 18 February 2000, so do not count on finding one. The current Argentina plug type is the flat-pin Type I.
Voltage in Argentina: 220 V and 50 Hz
Mains voltage in Argentina is 220 V at 50 Hz across the whole country. Resolution 524/1998 describes the IRAM 2063 plug with a nominal voltage of 220 V, and the national interconnected grid (SADI) runs at a nominal frequency of 50 Hz.
Two things matter if you arrive from elsewhere:
- Voltage. Devices built only for 100-127 V can burn out when plugged straight into 220 V. Brazil, for example, has 127 V or 220 V outlets depending on the city.
- Frequency. Brazil has used 60 Hz since Law 4,454 of 6 November 1964, while Argentina uses 50 Hz. Modern chargers and power bricks accept both; devices with motors or built-in clocks designed only for 60 Hz may behave differently.
The simple rule is to read the label on the device or its power supply. If it says “100-240 V ~ 50/60 Hz”, it works in Argentina with a plug adapter only, no voltage converter needed.
Table: plug type, voltage and frequency in Argentina, Brazil and Chile
This table sums up the plug type, voltage and frequency in the three countries, which helps if your trip combines Argentina with Brazil or Chile.
| Country | Plug type | Voltage | Frequency | Official basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Type I: flat pins in a V (IRAM 2073 and IRAM 2063) | 220 V | 50 Hz | SICyM Resolution 524/1998 |
| Brazil | Type N: round pins (ABNT NBR 14136) | 127 V or 220 V, by city | 60 Hz | Conmetro Resolution 02/2007 and Law 4,454/1964 |
| Chile | Round pins (Types C and L) | 220 V | 50 Hz | SEC Resolution 24,730/2018 |
Shape is the key difference: the Argentina plug type takes flat pins only, so Brazilian and Chilean plugs need an adapter. Voltage and frequency are the same in Argentina and Chile, so a device that works in one works in the other.
Travellers from North America face both changes at once: a different plug shape and a higher voltage than at home. Travellers from the UK, Ireland or continental Europe mostly need only the shape change, because their chargers and small appliances are usually built for 220-240 V. In every case the Argentina plug type is what decides which adapter goes in your bag, and the label on each device decides whether you also need a converter.
Which plug adapter to pack for Argentina
A plug adapter for the Argentina plug type must accept your home plug and have a Type I output with angled flat pins. A universal adapter with an Australia or China setting also works, because those countries use the same angled flat-pin shape.
A few points when choosing one:
- Pick an earthed model if you plan to charge a laptop or any device with a three-pin plug.
- Check the current rating. Basic adapters are usually 10 A, enough for phones, laptops and cameras but not for a powerful hair dryer or straightener.
- Bring one adapter and a short power strip from home. Plugged into the adapter, the strip lets you charge several devices at once, as long as all of them accept 220 V.
An adapter only changes the plug shape; it does not convert the voltage. A device rated only for 100-127 V needs a step-down converter (transformer), which is bulkier and has a power limit. Brazil’s metrology agency Inmetro requires devices sold there to follow NBR 14136 and Conmetro Resolution 02/2007, as its plugs and sockets FAQ explains, so travellers from Brazil always need one.
Adapters are sold in Argentina at electrical shops (casas de electricidad), hardware stores and kiosks in tourist areas. Ask for an “adaptador de ficha” and name your country’s plug. Buying one before you fly saves time on arrival.
Phones, laptops, hair dryers and other devices
Phones, laptops, cameras and electric toothbrushes nearly always work in Argentina with just a plug adapter, because their chargers are rated 100-240 V. Hair dryers, straighteners and shavers need more care, since many models run on a single voltage.
| Device | Usually dual voltage? | What to do in Argentina |
|---|---|---|
| Phone charger | Yes, most | Plug adapter only |
| Laptop power supply | Yes, most | Adapter, ideally earthed |
| Camera and drone charger | Yes, most | Plug adapter only |
| Hair dryer | Depends on model | Use if 220 V or dual voltage; never plug in a 100-127 V model |
| Straightener and curler | Depends on model | Same rule as the hair dryer |
| Shaver and epilator | Depends on model | Check the label before plugging in |
If your hair dryer has a 127/220 V switch, set it to 220 V before plugging it in. Leaving the switch on the lower setting is the most common way to burn out a device on the first night. Before packing yours, ask the hotel whether rooms have a dryer.
Practical tips for your trip
Knowing the Argentina plug type is the only real electrical adjustment for travellers with dual-voltage devices; with an adapter, everything else works as at home. This checklist helps you pack.
- Read the label on every charger and note any rated only for 100-127 V.
- Buy one or two Type I adapters, one of them earthed.
- Pack a short power strip so one adapter can charge everything.
- Land with a charged phone: the trip from Ezeiza airport into the city can be long, for example on Buenos Aires bus line 8.
- If you travel from Brazil, check which documents Brazilians need to enter Argentina.
To get around the city, see the Buenos Aires bus routes and timetables and the guide to the SUBE card for buses and the subway. If you continue to Chile, the supply there is also 220 V and 50 Hz under Resolution 24,730 of Chile’s Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels, but plugs have round pins; Diariko also covers Santiago’s Red bus routes.
Frequently asked questions
What plug type is used in Argentina?
Argentina uses the Type I plug, with two flat pins in a V shape and a flat earth pin, defined by the IRAM 2073 (earthed) and IRAM 2063 (unearthed) standards. Resolution 524/1998 made this shape mandatory. Round-pin and parallel flat-pin plugs do not fit, so you need an adapter.
Is Argentina 110 V or 220 V?
Argentina runs on 220 V at 50 Hz nationwide, and there are no 110 V outlets. Devices rated 100-240 V work normally. Devices rated only for 100-127 V will burn out if plugged in directly, unless you use a step-down voltage converter.
Do I need a plug adapter for Argentina?
Yes, you need a plug adapter for Argentina unless your devices already have Type I plugs, as used in Australia and China. The adapter must accept your home plug and have a Type I output. Universal adapters with an Australia or China setting work too.
Can I use my hair dryer in Argentina?
You can use your hair dryer in Argentina if it is rated 220 V or dual voltage, with a plug adapter. If it has a voltage switch, set it to 220 V before plugging in. Never connect a dryer rated only for 100-127 V directly; use the hotel’s dryer or a converter with enough power.
Will my phone charger work in Argentina?
Your phone charger will work in Argentina in almost every case, because chargers are usually labelled “100-240 V ~ 50/60 Hz”. A Type I plug adapter is all you need. Still check the label, especially on very old chargers or unbranded ones.
Are plugs in Chile the same as in Argentina?
Plugs in Chile are not the same as in Argentina: Chile uses round pins, while Argentina uses flat pins in a V. The voltage is the same, 220 V at 50 Hz in both countries. Visiting both means packing two adapter types, but no voltage converter.
Cover photo: Nicolás Flor / Unsplash
