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Find your plug
Enter your circuit voltage and amperage — we list every common NEMA receptacle that matches.
REFERENCE TABLE · EVERYDAY · HOME & GARAGE
NEMA Plug & Outlet Chart
Every common NEMA plug and outlet designation in one printable chart — 1-15 through 14-50, TT-30, and the locking L-types — with volts, amps, maximum watts, and what each one is actually used for. Enter your circuit voltage and amperage below and the lookup will list every common receptacle that matches.
The full chart
Common NEMA receptacle designations, straight-blade and locking. Max watts is volts × amps (240 used for dual-rated 125/250V rows — standard residential service). A leading L means twist-locking:
| Designation | Volts | Amps | Max watts | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEMA 1-15 | 120V | 15 A | 1,800 W | Lamps, phone chargers, small ungrounded electronics |
| NEMA 5-15 | 120V | 15 A | 1,800 W | The standard US wall outlet — TVs, computers, kitchen gadgets |
| NEMA 5-20 | 120V | 20 A | 2,400 W | T-slot neutral — window ACs, shop tools |
| NEMA 6-15 | 240V | 15 A | 3,600 W | Large window ACs, commercial equipment |
| NEMA 6-20 | 240V | 20 A | 4,800 W | T-slot — shop heaters, large window ACs |
| NEMA 6-30 | 240V | 30 A | 7,200 W | Welders, large shop tools |
| NEMA 6-50 | 240V | 50 A | 12,000 W | Welders, plasma cutters, EV charging |
| NEMA 10-30 | 125/250V | 30 A | 7,200 W | Older clothes dryers — 3-wire, ungrounded (legacy) |
| NEMA 10-50 | 125/250V | 50 A | 12,000 W | Older electric ranges — 3-wire, ungrounded (legacy) |
| NEMA 14-30 | 125/250V | 30 A | 7,200 W | Modern clothes dryers — 4-wire, grounded |
| NEMA 14-50 | 125/250V | 50 A | 12,000 W | Electric ranges, RV 50A service, EV charging |
| NEMA TT-30 | 120V | 30 A | 3,600 W | RV travel trailers — 30A shore power |
| NEMA L5-30 | 120V | 30 A | 3,600 W | Locking — portable generators |
| NEMA L14-30 | 125/250V | 30 A | 7,200 W | Locking — portable generators |
| NEMA L6-30 | 240V | 30 A | 7,200 W | Locking — generators, welders |
The numbers in a NEMA code read like a spec sheet: the series number tells you the plug family and blade shape, the second number is the amperage. So 14-50 is a 4-wire grounded 50-amp receptacle — the workhorse behind ranges, RV 50-amp service, and home EV chargers.
Output · formula · meaning
| Output | Formula | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Matching plugs | input volts in row’s rating + amps equal | Every common NEMA receptacle your circuit can feed — e.g. 240V/50A returns 6-50, 10-50, and 14-50. |
| Max watts | volts × amps | The power ceiling of the receptacle — a 14-50 at 240V × 50A tops out at 12,000 W. |
| Common uses | chart lookup | What the outlet is built for — EV charging, dryers, generators, or RV shore power — so you pick the right one for the job. |
Who uses this
- The EV owner shopping for a home charger — most Level 2 chargers ship with a 14-50 plug, so they check what outlet the garage already has.
- The generator buyer matching a portable generator’s twist-lock outlet (L14-30 or L5-30) to the right inlet box and transfer switch.
- The RVer at a campground pedestal figuring out whether their 30-amp TT-30 cord, 50-amp 14-50 cord, or an adapter fits the site.
- The DIYer wiring a shop choosing between a 6-30 and a 6-50 for a welder — and confirming the amperage before buying the receptacle.
Accuracy & limitations
NEMA is a plug and receptacle configuration standard, not a wiring guide: matching the designation is only step one. The 10-series (10-30, 10-50) are legacy 3-wire ungrounded designs — legal where already installed but not permitted for new installations, which need the 4-wire grounded 14-series under the National Electrical Code. Nominal NEMA ratings say 125/250V; residential service delivers about 120/240V, which is why the chart uses 240 for dual-rated rows. Watts = volts × amps is the resistive maximum; continuous loads (like EV chargers) are limited to 80% of the circuit rating. Any new circuit should be wired by a licensed electrician — this chart identifies outlets, it does not approve DIY wiring.
Cite this reference chartBright Side Kit. “NEMA Plug & Outlet Chart.” brightoolbox.com, 2026.
Bright Side Kit. "NEMA Plug & Outlet Chart." https://brightoolbox.com/nema-plug-chart/ Accessed October 22, 2026.Frequently asked questions
What plug does a home EV charger need?
Most Level 2 home chargers ship with a NEMA 14-50 plug (240V, 50A) — some, like Emporia’s, also support 6-50. If your garage already has a dryer outlet, a 14-30 works for slower charging. Run the lookup above: 240V/50A shows every EV-ready receptacle. A licensed electrician should install any new 240V circuit.
Can I plug my 30A RV into a dryer outlet?
No — they are physically and electrically different. An RV 30A cord ends in a TT-30 plug (120V-only, 30A); a modern dryer outlet is 14-30 (125/250V, 30A) with a different blade pattern that the TT-30 cannot fit. Dogbone adapters exist for campground pedestals, but adapting a TT-30 to a dryer outlet risks powering a 120V RV with 240V. Match the designation exactly.
What is the difference between a 14-50 and a 6-50?
Both are 240V, 50A receptacles, but the 14-50 is 4-wire (two hots + neutral + ground) while the 6-50 is 3-wire (two hots + ground, no neutral). The 14-50 suits ranges and RVs that need 120V circuits inside the appliance; the 6-50 suits welders and some EV chargers that need only 240V. The plugs are not interchangeable.
What does the L mean in L14-30?
L stands for locking (twist-lock). You insert the plug and twist it to lock the curved blades in place, so vibration — from a generator or stage equipment — can’t shake it loose. L5-30 is 120V/30A locking, L14-30 is 125/250V/30A locking, and L6-30 is 250V/30A locking.
Are 10-30 outlets still legal?
Existing 10-30 installations are grandfathered and can stay in service, but the National Electrical Code has not permitted new 3-wire ungrounded dryer circuits for decades — new dryer circuits require a 14-30 with a separate ground. If you’re replacing an old dryer outlet, upgrade to 14-30.
What outlet do I need for a portable generator?
Most portable generators use a locking L14-30 (125/250V, 30A) for the main 240V output, with L5-30 (120V, 30A) on smaller 120V-only models. Match the generator’s outlet to a proper inlet box and transfer switch — never backfeed a dryer outlet.