What Battery For

Battery sizes, equivalents and safety

Battery codes, sizes and the equivalents that fit, plus how to store, carry and dispose of batteries safely.

Battery equivalent finderType any code printed on a coin, button or household battery (LR44, 357, CR2032, A23) and see the cell it names and each maker's codes for it. Coin battery size chart16 common lithium coin cells, CR1025 to CR2477: diameter, thickness, volts and each maker's typical capacity. Printable PDF. Button battery size chartSilver oxide watch cells by number with their SR codes, and alkaline LR button cells: size, volts, capacity and each maker's codes. Printable PDF. Battery size chartAA, AAA, AAAA, C, D, N and 9V batteries, the 12 V A23 and A27, and the CR123A, CR2, CR-P2 and 2CR5 photo cells: size, volts and codes. Printable PDF. Battery voltage chartWhat a full, part-used and empty AA, AAA, 9V, coin, button, 18650 and 12 V deep-cycle battery reads, from the makers’ own figures. Printable PDF. LR44 battery equivalentLR44 and A76 are the alkaline 11.6 x 5.4 mm button cell; 357, 303 and SR44 are the same size in silver oxide. Which code is which, and which one to fit. CR2032 vs CR2025 vs CR2016All three are 3 V lithium coin cells 20 mm across. They differ in thickness and capacity; check whether the one you have fits the one your device takes. What size coin battery is it?Type the width across a coin or button cell, and its thickness if you can, to get the CR, LR or SR code of that size from the makers' drawings. LR41 battery equivalentLR41 and 192 are the alkaline 7.9 x 3.6 mm button cell; 392, 384 and SR41 are the same size in silver oxide. Which code is which, by maker. 377 battery equivalent377 and 376 are the 6.8 x 2.6 mm silver oxide watch cell; SR626SW and SR626W are their codes, and LR626 the alkaline cell of that size. LR1130 battery equivalentLR1130, LR54 and 189 are the alkaline 11.6 x 3.05 mm button cell; 389, 390 and SR54 are silver oxide. Which code is which, and what uses it. A23 battery equivalentA23, 23A, MN21 and V23GA name one 12 V alkaline battery, 10.3 x 28.5 mm. The A27 (MN27, 27A) is a smaller 12 V battery. Codes and uses by maker. CR123A vs CR2Both are 3 V lithium cells, but the CR123A is 17 x 34.5 mm and the CR2 15.6 x 27 mm. Each maker's codes, capacity, and what makers say about rechargeables. 9 volt battery typesAlkaline and lithium 9V batteries are 9 V; a rechargeable NiMH 9V is 8.4 V. Weight, shelf life and temperatures from Energizer's sheets, and First Alert's list. How to read a battery codeThe letters in CR2032, LR44 or SR626SW give the chemistry and shape, and on coin cells the numbers give the size. Type a code to see each part explained. Lithium vs alkalineLithium and alkaline AA and AAA are the same size and both 1.5 V. Which devices' makers ask for one type, and how they differ on Energizer's sheets. Rechargeable instead of alkalineA NiMH rechargeable AA or AAA is 1.2 V against alkaline's 1.5 V. Which device makers recommend rechargeables and which rule them out, in their words. 18650 battery sizeAn 18650 is a lithium-ion cell about 18 mm across and 65 mm long; Molicel's is 3.6 V. A 21700 is 21.7 x 70.2 mm. Protected cells and handling, in makers' words. Button battery safetyWhat to do if a button or coin battery is swallowed, which cells cause most serious cases, how to keep them from children, and what Reese's Law requires. Flying with batteriesWhich batteries go in a carry-on or checked bag on US flights, the FAA's 2 g and 100 and 160 Wh limits, and how to protect the ends. Battery leak cleanupHow to clean up after an alkaline, NiMH or NiCd battery leaks, in Duracell's steps, what to do if it touches skin or eyes, and why batteries leak. Storing and throwing away batteriesHow long batteries keep and at what temperature, from the makers' sheets, and which ones EPA says stay out of the trash, with how to tape or bag them.

Size, volts and other codes for common batteries

One battery from each page: its size and volts, and the other codes or readings the makers give it
BatterySize and voltsOther codes or readings
LR4411.6 x 5.4 mm, 1.5 V alkalineA76 (Energizer, GP), 76A (Duracell), AG13 (their lists)
CR203220 x 3.2 mm, 3 V lithiumCR2025 is 2.5 mm thick, CR2016 1.6 mm
CR245024.5 x 5 mm, 3 V lithiumDL2450 (Energizer, GP), ECR2450 (Energizer)
3776.8 x 2.6 mm, 1.55 V silver oxide376/377, SR66 (Energizer’s list)
9V26.5 x 17.5 x 48.5 mm, 9 V alkaline522, 6LR61, 1604A (Energizer)
A2310.3 x 28.5 mm, 12 V alkalineMN21 (Duracell), 23AE (GP), DL21 (Energizer’s list)
LR417.9 x 3.6 mm, 1.5 V alkaline192 (Energizer, GP); 392, SR41 are silver oxide
LR113011.6 x 3.05 mm, 1.5 V alkalineLR54, 189 (GP); 389, 390 are silver oxide
CR123A17 x 34.5 mm, 3 V lithiumCR17345, 5018LC (Energizer)
18650Molicel’s: 18.6 x 65.2 mm, 3.6 VThe 21700 is 21.7 x 70.2 mm (Molicel)
AA alkaline1.5 V; empty at 0.8 V under loadA fresh lithium AA reads 1.79 to 1.83 V at rest

Sizes are diameter x height, or width x depth x height. Each page gives the makers’ own figures. If a coin or button battery is swallowed, call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 1-800-498-8666.

Where we get our information from

The figures come from battery makers’ own datasheets and product pages, and the hotline from the National Capital Poison Center. Checked against published data from Energizer, GP Batteries, Duracell, Molicel and National Capital Poison Center (plus 1 more).

See all 26 sources
  • National Capital Poison Center (poison.org), Battery ingestion: National Battery Ingestion Hotline
  • Energizer, CR2016 product datasheet (PDF)
  • Energizer, CR2025 product datasheet (PDF)
  • Energizer, CR2032 product datasheet (PDF)
  • Energizer, CR2450 product datasheet (PDF)
  • Energizer, A76 (LR44) miniature alkaline product datasheet (PDF)
  • Energizer, 189 (LR54) miniature alkaline product datasheet (PDF)
  • Energizer, 192 (LR41) miniature alkaline datasheet (PDF, marked obsolete)
  • Energizer, E91 AA alkaline product datasheet (PDF)
  • Energizer, 522 9V alkaline product datasheet (PDF)
  • Energizer, A23 12V miniature alkaline product datasheet (PDF)
  • Energizer, 123 (CR123A) photo lithium product datasheet (PDF)
  • Energizer, LR44/A76 product page (Replacement for list)
  • Energizer, watch battery product pages: 357/303, 377, 392, 390, 364, 371, 395 (Replacement for lists)
  • Energizer, lithium coin product pages: CR1220, CR1616, CR1620, CR1632, CR2430, CR2450 (Replacement for lists)
  • Energizer, specialty and photo battery product pages: A23, A27, A544, AAAA, E90/N, 123, CR2 (Replacement for lists)
  • Renata, silver oxide battery product pages (technical data and cross reference guide)
  • GP Batteries, alkaline button cell and lithium coin product pages (specification and equivalent models)
  • Duracell, 76A / LR44 alkaline battery datasheet (PDF)
  • Duracell, MN21 12 V alkaline battery datasheet (PDF)
  • GP Batteries Australia, GP Extra Alkaline High Voltage 23AE (MN21) product page
  • GP Batteries, GP Alkaline Cell Battery 192 product page
  • Energizer, Cylindrical Primary Lithium Handbook and Application Manual, lithium iron disulfide (PDF)
  • Energizer, Alkaline Manganese Dioxide Handbook and Application Manual (PDF)
  • Molicel, INR-18650-P28A cell product page
  • Molicel, INR-21700-P42A cell product page

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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.