How to Choose a Power Plug Adapter (轉接頭) for Taiwan: Round-Pin to Flat-Pin, and Check the Voltage First
Household outlets in Taiwan typically supply 110V and use flat-pin plugs. In many other countries, including Indonesia, household outlets supply around 220–230V, and plugs are often round-pin. If you bring a charger, fan, or appliance from home to Taiwan, the first thing you may notice is that the plug does not fit. Shopee has many adapters, but most of them are travel adapters made for people from Taiwan going abroad, which is the opposite direction. More important: an adapter only changes the shape of the plug. It does not change the voltage. This guide explains the types of adapters, 5 things to check before you buy, and why you must read the label on your device first.
First, Understand the 4 Common Types of Adapters
| Type | What it does | Who it is for | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro-to-US (round-pin to flat-pin, 歐規轉美規) | Converts a round-pin plug (common in Indonesia and some other countries) to the flat-pin plug used in Taiwan outlets. Listings often say "for use in Taiwan from Korea / Vietnam / Indonesia / Europe" | People bringing a device or charger from home to Taiwan | It only changes the shape, not the voltage. Make sure the adapter is for plugs you bring into Taiwan, not for taking Taiwan plugs abroad |
| Travel adapter (Taiwan to abroad) | Converts a Taiwan flat-pin plug to European, UK, Australian and other types for use when traveling | People from Taiwan traveling abroad | This is the opposite direction. If you buy it by mistake, your round-pin plug still will not fit a Taiwan outlet. This type is the most common on Shopee |
| Universal (multi-country) adapter | The input socket accepts many plug types and the output can be switched. Some models can output flat pins | People who often move between countries | Check that it has a "US (Taiwan)" output. The design is more complex, so check whether it becomes loose after repeated use |
| 3-prong to 2-prong (三轉二) | Lets a plug with a ground pin (3 prongs) fit a 2-hole outlet | People whose home outlets have only 2 holes | It does not convert between countries. The ground pin is left unconnected, so the device will not be grounded. Pay attention to safety |
5 Things to Check on a Plug Adapter
| What to check | What to look at | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Make sure the adapter is for "into Taiwan" (Euro-to-US / round-pin to flat-pin), not "Taiwan to abroad". One shop page often lists several directions as different options, so choose the right one | Buying a travel adapter, so the round-pin plug from home still does not fit a Taiwan outlet |
| Voltage label on your device | Look for "INPUT" on the label of your device or charger. If it says 100–240V (common on phone and laptop chargers), a plug adapter is usually enough, as long as it suits the plug and the power the device uses. If it says only 220V or 230V, the device may not turn on or may not work normally on a 110V outlet in Taiwan, and an adapter cannot fix that | Seeing that the plug fits and not checking the voltage, so the device does not work or behaves strangely |
| Plug shape and pin size | Check whether your device has round or flat pins. Round pins come in different sizes (for example 4.0 mm and 4.8 mm). If the size does not match, the fit can be too loose or too tight. Some flat-pin plugs (for example some devices from Vietnam and the Philippines) may also fit Taiwan outlets directly | Round-pin size does not match, so the fit is loose and the contact is poor |
| Power rating and current | Check whether the adapter lists a maximum power and current, and whether it is higher than what your device uses. If the shop does not list it, do not connect high-power heating appliances such as electric kettles, rice cookers, irons, and hair dryers | Using a high-power device through an adapter, so the adapter overheats |
| Safety and quality | Choose one that feels solid and whose pins do not wobble. If the shop does not list a safety certification, do not assume it meets any standard. If it gets hot, smells burnt, or the plug becomes loose while in use, stop using it | Buying a very cheap adapter with no information, and after some time the pins become loose and hot |
There is no single "best" adapter. Check the voltage label on your device first, then the plug shape and the power it uses. A phone or laptop charger with an input of 100–240V works with a Euro-to-US adapter. Devices that say only 220V, such as rice cookers, electric kettles, and fans, should not be forced to work in Taiwan. It is better to buy a device sold in Taiwan (110V), or ask your employer, landlord, or a qualified electrician. This page is only a buying guide, not electrician advice or a safety standard. If you are unsure how to use an electrical device, follow the label on the device and its manual.
Safety When Using a Plug Adapter
- An adapter does not change the voltage — It only changes the shape of the plug. Taiwan uses 110V, while many devices from home use around 220V. If a device's input voltage range does not include 110V, do not use it just because the plug fits.
- Read the label before you buy — The "INPUT" line on a device or charger shows the voltage range it accepts. The input voltage range must include 110V (for example, a label that says 100–240V) for the device to work properly on a Taiwan outlet.
- Do not connect high-power heating appliances — Electric kettles, rice cookers, irons, hair dryers, and heaters use a lot of power, and a small adapter can easily overheat. Use appliances made for Taiwan's electricity.
- Do not stack or chain too many — Avoid stacking several adapters or extension cords. The outlet and the cables may carry more current than they can handle.
- Replace it if it is too loose — If the plug and adapter do not fit tightly, wobble, or feel loose, they can overheat and even spark. Use a size that fits.
- Stop if it is hot, smells burnt, or changes color — If it feels hot to the touch, smells burnt, or the casing changes color or shape while in use, unplug it right away and do not use it again.
- Unplug when not in use, and keep it away from damp places — Unplug it when you are not using it, do not use it in damp places such as a bathroom or next to a sink, and keep it out of reach of children.
Searching on Shopee Taiwan: Chinese Keywords and What They Mean
Shopee Taiwan uses Chinese, so searching in English usually returns nothing useful. Copy the keywords below and paste them into the Shopee search box.
| Keyword / text (Chinese) | Pinyin | Meaning | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 轉接頭 轉接插頭 | zhuǎnjiētóu / zhuǎnjiē chātóu | plug adapter | The most common search keyword |
| 歐規轉美規 | ōuguī zhuǎn měiguī | Euro to US (round-pin to flat-pin) | To make the round-pin plug from home fit a Taiwan outlet |
| 歐規 美規 | ōuguī / měiguī | Euro standard / US standard | Shows the plug type. Taiwan's flat-pin plug is the "US" type |
| 電壓 | diànyā | voltage | Text about voltage. This is the most important thing to check |
| 110V 100-240V | yībǎi yīshí fú / yībǎi dào liǎngbǎi sìshí fú | 110V / 100 to 240 volts | If the device label says 100-240V, you can use it in Taiwan with an adapter |
| 輸入（INPUT） | shūrù | input | The part of the label on a device or charger that shows the voltage range |
| 額定功率 | édìng gōnglǜ | rated power | The maximum power the adapter can handle. Your device's power use must not exceed this rating |
| 旅行轉接頭 | lǚxíng zhuǎnjiētóu | travel adapter | Usually for going from Taiwan to abroad, so be careful not to pick the wrong direction |
| 免運 | miǎnyùn | free shipping | There is usually a minimum order amount |
| 月銷熱賣 | yuè xiāo rèmài | best sellers this month | A sorting option in Shopee Taiwan search results (the display name may change), useful for finding what many people buy |
Brand names on packaging are usually in Chinese too. If you are not sure, use your phone's camera translation (for example Google Translate) on the packaging or the product page and compare it with the table above. This list is only a keyword guide, not an official translation, and the text on a product page may differ.
Show this to the shop staff, or paste it into the Shopee chat
請問有歐規轉美規的轉接頭嗎？
Qǐngwèn yǒu ōuguī zhuǎn měiguī de zhuǎnjiētóu ma?
Do you have a Euro-to-US plug adapter?
我的電器是圓腳插頭，要在台灣的插座使用。
Wǒ de diànqì shì yuán jiǎo chātóu, yào zài Táiwān de chāzuò shǐyòng.
My device has a round-pin plug and I need to use it in a Taiwan outlet.
這個轉接頭的額定功率是多少？
Zhège zhuǎnjiētóu de édìng gōnglǜ shì duōshǎo?
What is the rated power of this adapter?
AC Plug Adapter, Euro to US (for use in Taiwan from Korea / Vietnam / Indonesia / Europe)
Shopee listing information (shown on October 18, 2026; prices and promotions may change): this product shows 10,000+ sold and about 255 reviews with a 4.9-star rating (we only quote these and have not checked them one by one, so treat them as a reference). The shop shows "Shopee Guarantee, easy returns" and has no Shopee Preferred or Shopee Mall badge. Product information (shop's description, not independently verified by us): the title says it is suitable "for use in Taiwan from Korea / Vietnam / Indonesia / Europe", and the shop reminds buyers that "the device must be 110~220V to work". One product page has several options, including plugs from many countries to European, UK, three-flat-pin, and US types (Japan, USA, Philippines), and also options in the opposite direction such as "US (Taiwan) to European 4.0 mm / 4.8 mm". Before you buy: make sure you choose the "into Taiwan (Euro to US)" option, because the same page has options in the opposite direction. The listing does not show a safety certification or maximum power rating, so we cannot confirm whether it meets any standard or how much power it can handle. We suggest using it only for low-power devices, such as phone and laptop chargers whose label says input 100–240V, and not for high-power heating appliances. Compare the shop's information with the item you actually receive. An adapter does not change voltage, so do not connect a device that says only 220V or 230V. We do not give electrician or safety advice.
Quick Checklist Before You Buy
- Is the direction right? → Choose "into Taiwan" (Euro to US / round-pin to flat-pin), not a travel adapter for going abroad
- Did you read the voltage label? → INPUT must include 100–240V or 110V. If it says only 220V/230V, do not try to solve it with an adapter
- Did you confirm the plug shape? → Check whether your device has round or flat pins, and for round pins check the size (for example 4.0 mm or 4.8 mm)
- Is the power rating enough? → If the shop does not list a maximum power, do not connect high-power heating appliances
- Did you choose the right option? → One shop page has several directions and options, so check once more before you order
- When using it? → Do not stack adapters, make sure the fit is tight, and stop using it if it is hot or smells burnt
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can an adapter change 220V to 110V?
- No. An adapter only changes the shape of the plug, not the voltage. If the device label says 100–240V, an adapter is enough. If it says only 220V or 230V, do not force it to work on a 110V outlet in Taiwan.
- Can my phone charger use an adapter directly?
- Most phone and laptop chargers have an input label of 100–240V, so if the plug shape is different, an "into Taiwan" adapter is enough. Still check the INPUT label on your own charger to be sure.
- Can I use an adapter with a rice cooker or an electric kettle?
- These devices use a lot of power. If they say only 220V, an adapter cannot solve it, and the adapter may overheat because of the high current. It is better to use a device sold in Taiwan (110V).
- Do flat-pin plugs from Vietnam or the Philippines need an adapter?
- Some flat-pin plugs are similar in shape to Taiwan outlets and may fit directly. But voltage and pin shape differ by country and by product, so still check the voltage on the label, and if the fit is not right or is loose, do not force it.
- One shop page lists several adapter directions. How do I choose?
- Choose the "into Taiwan" option, which converts a European round-pin plug to a US (Taiwan) flat-pin plug. Read the option name once more before you order so you do not pick the opposite direction, from Taiwan to abroad.
- What should I do if the adapter gets hot?
- Unplug it right away and stop using it. Possible reasons include a device that uses too much power, a loose plug with poor contact, or poor adapter quality. Do not keep using it, and do not stack other adapters or extension cords.