In the U.S., a gas dryer plugs into a standard 120-volt, 3-prong grounded outlet (NEMA 5-15), and some homes use a 20-amp T-slot version (NEMA 5-20).
Quick Identification: Shape, Slots, And Labels
A gas dryer outlet looks like the same grounded receptacle you see in bedrooms and living rooms. Two straight slots sit side-by-side, and a round or U-shaped hole sits below for the grounding pin. That pattern is the NEMA 5-15R. In some laundry rooms the outlet has a “T” shape on one of the slot faces. That’s NEMA 5-20R, which accepts both a standard 15-amp plug and a 20-amp plug with a horizontal blade.
Near a gas dryer you might notice a much larger, four-hole receptacle on its own box. That big one is for an electric dryer, not a gas model. Gas dryers heat with gas, so the electrical load is light: motor, controls, and lights.
| Receptacle | What It Looks Like | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| NEMA 5-15R (120V, 15A) | Two vertical slots over a round ground | Gas dryer, washer, general outlets |
| NEMA 5-20R (120V, 20A) | One slot has a “T” profile | Gas dryer on 20-amp laundry circuit |
| NEMA 14-30R (240V, 30A) | Four holes: two angled hots, one neutral, one round ground | Electric dryer only |
| NEMA 10-30R (240V, 30A) | Three holes: two hots, one L-shaped neutral | Older electric dryer outlet |
If you want to compare shapes, the Hubbell NEMA chart shows the common 5-15, 5-20, 14-30, and 10-30 layouts with clear drawings.
What Does A Gas Dryer Plug Look Like In The U.S.? Quick ID Tips
The plug on the power cord has three blades: two flat parallel blades and one round ground pin. You won’t see the bulky four-prong dryer plug that an electric dryer needs. If a dryer cord ends in that larger four-prong head, it’s not a gas model.
Many gas dryers ship with the cord attached. If your cord is detachable, match it to a grounded, three-prong, 120-volt receptacle. Avoid two-prong adapters. The ground path matters for safety and for electronics inside modern machines.
Why Gas Dryers Use 120V
In a gas model, the flame supplies the heat. Electricity only runs the motor, control board, igniter, and lights, so the power draw fits a 15- or 20-amp, 120-volt circuit. Major brands list the same requirement in their guides; a typical wording appears in this Whirlpool gas dryer installation manual.
By contrast, electric dryers heat with resistance elements. That takes a 240-volt, 30-amp circuit on a 4-prong NEMA 14-30R (or an older 3-prong 10-30R).
Safety And Code Notes
Circuit And Receptacle Type
Laundry areas almost always have a dedicated 20-amp, 120-volt circuit for receptacles. Many builders place a NEMA 5-20R T-slot so both 15-amp and 20-amp plugs fit. A standard 5-15 plug from a gas dryer can use either a 5-15R or a 5-20R.
GFCI In Laundry Areas
GFCI protection is widely required in practice in laundry areas for 125-volt, 15- and 20-amp receptacles. Newer code cycles extend GFCI to more locations and, in some cases, higher voltages. Local rules can vary, so check the label in your panel and the markings on the outlet. If the laundry receptacle already says “GFCI” or sits downstream of a GFCI breaker, you’re covered.
Grounding And Bonding
Use a grounded receptacle only. The dryer cord should be a three-prong grounded type, and the outlet box should be bonded. If anything looks loose, scorched, or mix-matched, hire a licensed electrician to correct it before you run the machine.
Common Mix-Ups: Gas Vs. Electric Dryer Outlets
Many laundry rooms have both a gas stub and a large 240-volt receptacle. People sometimes assume the big receptacle is “the gas dryer outlet.” It isn’t. The gas hookup is the shutoff valve on the pipe or flex line; the outlet for a gas unit is the small, grounded 120-volt receptacle.
Another mix-up: a 3-slot 240-volt outlet (NEMA 10-30R) looks old-school and smaller than a 4-slot 14-30R, but both serve electric dryers only. A gas dryer will not plug into either, and it doesn’t need that circuit.
How To Verify You Have The Right Circuit
At The Panel
Start with the breaker panel. Look for a single-pole breaker labeled “Laundry” or similar in the 15- to 20-amp range. That single-pole device feeds the 120-volt outlet for a gas dryer or a washer. A two-pole 30-amp breaker feeds a 240-volt electric dryer receptacle.
At The Wall
At the wall, check the face of the receptacle. A basic duplex with two straight slots and a round ground is a 5-15R. A duplex with a sideways T on the neutral blade is a 5-20R. Either one works for a gas dryer cord.
Where both outlets share a box, the small duplex feeds the gas dryer, and the larger four-hole device feeds the electric model, even when they’re mounted inches apart.
Outlet Height, Location, And Clearance
There isn’t one national height. Builders usually set the box a bit above the baseboard or at the same height as nearby outlets. The key is access: the cord shouldn’t stretch tight, and the plug shouldn’t rub on sharp metal.
Leave space behind the appliance for the gas flex connector and the exhaust duct. Sharp bends can kink a flex line. A short, smooth duct run keeps air moving and cuts dry times.
Gas Connection Basics You’ll See Next To The Outlet
Connector And Valve
Next to the electrical outlet, a shutoff valve sits on the gas stub. A listed flexible connector runs from that valve to the dryer’s gas inlet. Most makers call for a 3⁄8-inch ID connector rated for gas dryers, with a 1⁄2-inch NPT valve on the wall side. Follow the appliance manual for leak checks with a non-corrosive bubble solution.
Natural Gas Vs. LP
LP users should confirm the correct orifices or conversion kit. The gas label at the back of the dryer names the factory gas type. The electrical outlet stays the same either way: grounded 120 volts.
When A 20-Amp Laundry Circuit Shows Up
Many modern laundry rooms use a 20-amp branch circuit with a T-slot 5-20R. That circuit supports a washer and a gas dryer with headroom for start-up inrush. The plug on a gas dryer remains a 15-amp style, and the T-slot accepts it. A 20-amp receptacle should not sit on a 15-amp circuit.
| Feature | What To Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Blade Pattern | Two straight slots + ground = 120V | Confirms gas-dryer friendly outlet |
| T-Slot | Neutral slot shaped like a “T” | Marks a 20-amp receptacle |
| Receptacle Size | Small duplex vs. large four-hole | Small = gas dryer; large = electric |
| Breaker Type | Single-pole 15/20A vs. two-pole 30A | Matches 120V vs. 240V loads |
| GFCI Marking | “GFCI” on device or in panel | Shock protection in laundry areas |
Buying Or Replacing The Receptacle
Ratings To Match
Choose a listed, grounded device that matches the circuit rating. On a 15-amp circuit, use 5-15R. On a 20-amp circuit, use 5-20R. If the circuit is 20-amp but you want 15-amp faces, use a 5-20R T-slot; it accepts 5-15 plugs safely. Replace any worn, loose, or damaged outlet. Tighten terminations to the torque listed on the device body.
Label the cover plate “Laundry” if the circuit serves only that area. Clear labeling helps the next person shut power off before service.
Electric Dryer Receptacles: A Visual Contrast
The 4-slot NEMA 14-30R stands out. Two angled hot slots sit opposite each other, a straight slot marks the neutral, and a round hole marks the ground. Older 3-slot 10-30R devices have no ground hole; the L-shaped slot is the neutral. Both are 240-volt, 30-amp devices for electric dryers only. A gas dryer doesn’t use them.
Simple Testing Steps
Basic Plug-In Checks
Press the GFCI test button, then reset. With power off, confirm the yoke is tight and the cover isn’t cracked. With power on, a plug-in tester can confirm hot-neutral-ground orientation. If the tester flags a fault, stop and call a pro.
Quick Answers To Edge Cases
No grounded outlet? Upgrade the circuit to add an equipment ground or use a GFCI device with the “No Equipment Ground” label where allowed, then bond the metal box if present. Two-prong adapters are a poor band-aid for a dryer. A new grounded circuit is the clean fix.
Only a 240-volt receptacle present? That circuit serves an electric dryer. Keep it as is, and add a 120-volt laundry receptacle on a separate branch for a gas model.
Final Checks Before You Plug In
Match the plug to a grounded 120-volt receptacle, confirm the circuit rating, and verify GFCI where required. Keep the gas shutoff reachable. Set the dryer so the cord and flex line aren’t pinched. Run a short cycle and listen for ignition clicks. With a clear vent, a gas dryer can run for years.