Check Your Power Adapter's Voltage

March 2026 — Tip of the Month

Have you ever wondered if it's safe to use your electronic device in another country without a travel adapter? The answer is most likely on the adapter itself.

Most AC adapters (the little boxes you plug into the wall) have tiny print on them that explains the supported voltage. For example, the text may say 110v, indicating that only 110-volt power (standard in the United States) is supported. Or it may say 220v, which is the standard voltage in most European countries.

Many adapters support a range of voltages, allowing them to be used in a variety of outlets without voltage conversion. Most laptop and smartphone adapters support 110 to 220 volts. The Apple USB power adapter above supports this range, as shown in the highlighted text below.

You'll have to look closely, and you may need a magnifying glass 🔍 or reading glasses 👓 to read the text, but you can usually find the supported voltage right on the adapter. By checking your adapter's specs, you'll know if it's safe to use in another country or if you'll need a travel adapter (voltage converter) to safely plug it into an international outlet.

- Per Christensson