How Many GFCI Outlets Does a House Need?
A single GFCI device wired correctly on its LOAD side can often protect multiple standard outlets downstream, so the number of physical GFCI devices needed is usually lower than the number of protected locations.
Where code typically requires protection
Bathrooms (any receptacle), kitchen countertop receptacles near sinks, garages, unfinished basements, crawl spaces, laundry areas near utility sinks, and all exterior outlets are the recurring locations across NEC cycles.
Newer code editions have continued to expand coverage — for example, extending protection to indoor sink locations beyond kitchens and bathrooms, and raising the amperage threshold for protected outdoor outlets to include larger equipment like pool heaters and AC compressors.
A simple way to count your own home
Walk room by room and note every qualifying location, then check whether it's currently protected by testing the reset button or checking the panel directory. This is exactly the kind of inventory TripTrace's diagnostic step is built to help organize.