The reason most electrical plug prongs have holes in them

Those little holes play more of a role in making the plug than they do in your home’s wall outlets

By Thomas Godwin Oct. 31, 2026 6:30 pm EST anmbph/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Google Discover

Of all the things in the world to sit back and contemplate, holes in electrical plug prongs are one of those great mysteries. It's right up there with the hollow moon theory and underground military bases in Antarctica. Not really. The truth is, while these enigmatic holes once served an everyday purpose (more on that below), they are mainly useful in the manufacturing process today. They help manufacturers position the metal blades during manufacturing, but they aren't openings for electrical current or portals to another dimension.