Most electric dryers use a 4-prong NEMA 14-30 on a 240-volt, 30-amp circuit; older homes may have a 3-prong 10-30, and gas dryers use a 120-volt plug.
Dryer plugs confuse shoppers because the plug on the cord, the slot on the wall, and the breaker in the panel all need to match. This guide spells out the common dryer plug types, the voltage they carry, and the simple checks that tell you which cord or outlet you need easily.
What Plug Does A Dryer Use Today
Most full-size electric dryers in North America ship ready for a 240-volt, 30-amp circuit with a four-prong plug called NEMA 14-30. That plug matches a four-slot outlet with two angled hot blades, one straight neutral slot, and a round ground. The outlet body often reads “14-30R,” and the face shows “125/250 V” and “30 A.” This setup gives the heater coils the 240-volt feed while also carrying a separate neutral and a safety ground for controls and lights.
Here’s a quick map of the plugs you’ll likely see, what they mean, and where they turn up in real homes:
| Plug or outlet | Where you’ll see it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NEMA 14-30 (4-prong) | Modern electric dryers; new builds and remodels since 1996 | Four slots: two hots, L-shaped neutral, round ground; marked 125/250 V, 30 A |
| NEMA 10-30 (3-prong) | Older homes and laundry rooms pre-1996 | Three large slots; combined neutral-ground; marked 125/250 V, 30 A |
| NEMA 5-15 (3-prong) | Gas dryers and many compact heat-pump or vented models | Standard household outlet; 120 V, 15 A |
| NEMA 5-20 (3-prong T-slot) | Some 120-V laundry closets with 20-amp circuits | T-shaped neutral; accepts 5-15 plugs |
| NEMA 6-30 (3-prong) | Occasional specialty loads; uncommon for dryers | Two hots plus ground; no neutral |
What Kind Of Plug Does A Clothes Dryer Use In Older Homes
Homes built before the mid-1990s often have a three-slot dryer outlet labeled NEMA 10-30. That older pattern pairs two hot blades with a combined neutral-ground. New work moved to the four-wire pattern in the 1996 code cycle, so new outlets today use the 14-30 layout. If your laundry room still has a three-slot outlet, you can usually run the dryer by installing a matching three-prong cord on the appliance, as long as the manufacturer allows a three-wire connection and the bonding strap is set as directed in the manual.
Upgrading the branch circuit to a four-wire receptacle brings a dedicated equipment ground and removes shock risk from a neutral fault. That change calls for a new four-conductor cable back to the panel, a two-pole 30-amp breaker, and a 14