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A23 battery equivalent

A23, 23A, MN21 and V23GA name one 12 V alkaline battery, 10.3 x 28.5 mm on Energizer’s sheet. The A27 is a smaller 12 V battery, 8 x 28.2 mm.

Printed on the flat side of a coin or button cell, or on the label of a larger battery.

What that code is

Type the code printed on the battery, such as A23, 23A, A27.

Codes for the A23 and the A27

Each maker’s own code, then the codes its sheet or page lists
BatteryMaker’s codeCodes it lists
A23 (12 V, 10.3 x 28.5 mm)Energizer A23 (ANSI 1181A)1181A, A23BP, DL21, DL23, MN-21B, MN21, V23GA
Duracell MN2123A, V23GA, MS21, L1028F, LRV08, A23
GP 23AEMN21, 23AE, A23, V23GA, LR23A
A27 (12 V, 8 x 28.2 mm)Energizer A2727A, A27BP, G27A, GP27A, L828, MN27
Duracell MN27A27, L828, GP27A, V27GA, MS27, EL812, 8LR732

A23 against A27

From Energizer’s and Duracell’s sheets
A23A27
Size (Energizer, largest)10.3 x 28.5 mm8 x 28.2 mm
Volts12 V12 V
Capacity, Energizer55 mAh to 6.0 V22 mAh to 6.0 V
Capacity, Duracell60 mAh (MN21)20 mAh (MN27)
Weight, Energizer8.0 g4.4 g

The two are nearly the same length (28.5 and 28.2 mm), but the A27 is 2.3 mm narrower, so they are not the same battery. Fit the one your remote’s manual or old battery names.

Two small cylindrical 12 volt batteries side by side, to scale: the A23 and the slimmer A27, almost the same length.
Drawn to scale: side by side, the A27 is the slimmer one. The code on the label tells them apart.

Where they are used

Common questions

Is 23A the same as A23?

Yes, by Duracell: its MN21 sheet lists 23A and A23 among the codes the MN21 replaces, and Energizer lists MN21 among the codes its A23 replaces.

Can I use an A27 in place of an A23?

No. Energizer's sheets give the A27 as 8 x 28.2 mm and the A23 as 10.3 x 28.5 mm, though both are 12 V.

Is an MN21 a 12 volt battery?

Yes. Duracell's MN21 sheet gives 12.0 V open circuit, and Energizer's A23 sheet gives 12 volts nominal for the same battery.

Keep going

Battery equivalent finderBattery size chart9 volt battery types

Where we get our information from

Codes, sizes, capacities and uses come from Energizer’s A23 and A27 sheets and pages, Duracell’s MN21 and MN27 sheets and GP’s 23AE page; the remote from Genie’s own store. Checked against published data from Energizer, Duracell, GP Batteries and Genie.

See all 7 sources
  • Energizer, A23 12V miniature alkaline product datasheet (PDF)
  • Energizer, A27 12V miniature alkaline product datasheet (PDF)
  • Energizer, specialty and photo battery product pages: A23, A27, A544, AAAA, E90/N, 123, CR2 (Replacement for lists)
  • Duracell, MN21 12 V alkaline battery datasheet (PDF)
  • GP Batteries Australia, GP Extra Alkaline High Voltage 23AE (MN21) product page
  • Duracell, MN27 12 V alkaline datasheet (PDF)
  • The Genie Company, 12V Alkaline Battery (A23) product page

Battery sizes come from battery makers' datasheets and device makers' own manuals and help pages. Check your device's manual or the old battery before you buy. If anyone may have swallowed a battery, call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 1-800-498-8666 or your poison center at 1-800-222-1222 straight away.