My watch list
my.chemeurope.com  
Login  

List of battery sizes



 

Contents

This article refers to common battery types and sizes in household and light industrial use.

Battery size generally refers to the shape, voltage, and terminal layout of a battery. Thus the term "size" has become interchangeable with "type". Batteries of different types will usually not have the same dimensions and terminal layout.

Battery chemistry

Older batteries were mostly based on rechargeable lead-acid or non-rechargeable alkaline chemistries, with nominal voltages in increments of 1.5 Volts, each representing one individual electrochemical cell.

New battery chemistries have strained older naming conventions. Rechargeable NiCd and NiMH typically output 1.25 V per cell. Some devices may not operate properly with these cells, given the 16% reduction in voltage, but most modern ones handle them well. Conversely, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries output 3.7 V per cell, 23% higher than a pair of alkaline cells (3 V), which they are often designed to replace. Non-rechargeable lithium-chemistry batteries, which provide exceptionally high energy density, produce about 1.5 V per cell and are thus similar to alkaline batteries.

Many new battery sizes refer to both the batteries' size and chemistry, while older names do not. For a more complete list see battery types. This summary is only for types relating to battery "sizes".

Primary battery chemistries

(in order of increasing energy density)
Chemistry Cell
Voltage
Comments
Zinc–carbon 1.5 Inexpensive.
Zinc chloride 1.5 Also known as "heavy duty", inexpensive.
alkaline
(zinc–manganese dioxide)
1.5 Moderate energy density.
Good for high and low drain uses.
oxy nickle hydroxide
(zinc-manganese dioxide/oxy nickel hydroxide)
1.7 Moderate energy density.
Good for high drain uses
Lithium
(lithium–copper oxide)
Li–CuO
1.5 End of life.
SR battery is used instead now.
Lithium
(lithium–iron disulfide)
LiFeS2
1.5 Expensive.
Used in 'plus' or 'extra' batteries.
Lithium
(lithium–manganese dioxide)
LiMnO2
3.0 Expensive.
Only used in high-drain devices or for long shelf life due to very low rate of self discharge.
'Lithium' alone usually refers to this type of chemistry.
Mercury oxide 1.35 High drain and constant voltage.
Banned in most countries because of health concerns.
Zinc–air 1.35–1.65 Mostly used in hearing aids.
Silver oxide (silver-zinc) 1.55 Very expensive.
Only used commercially in 'button' cells.

Rechargeable battery chemistries

(in order of increasing energy density)
Chemistry Cell
Voltage
Comments
NiCd 1.2 Inexpensive.
High/low drain, moderate energy density.
Moderate rate of self discharge.
Suffers from memory effect (which sometimes causes early failure)
Lead Acid 2.2 Moderately expensive.
High/low drain, moderate energy density.
Moderate rate of self discharge.
Suffers from no memory effect
Common use - Automobile batteries
NiMH 1.2 Expensive. Useful in high drain devices.
Traditional chemistry has high energy density, but also a high rate of self-discharge.
Newer chemistry has low self-discharge rate, but also a ~25% lower energy density.
Lithium ion 3.6 Very expensive.
Very high energy density.
Not usually available in "common" battery sizes (but see RCR-V3 for a counter-example).
Very common in laptop computers, moderate to high-end digital cameras and camcorders, and cellphones.
Very low rate of self discharge.
Loses 5%-10% of its storage capacity every year from the time of manufacture whether it's used or not.
Volatile: Chance of explosion if short circuited, allowed to overheat, or not manufactured with rigorous quality standards.

Non-standard brand-specific names

Battery naming is further confused by the practice of manufacturers that assign novel names and numbers to their batteries, disregarding common, colloquial, IEC, and ANSI naming conventions (see LR44 battery as an example). Often this is done to steer customers towards a specific brand, and away from competing or generic brands, by obfuscating the common name. For example, if a remote control needs a new battery and the battery compartment has the label, "Replace with CX472 type battery," many customers will buy that specific brand, not realizing that this is simply a brand name for a common type of battery. In this article, brand-specific names have been purposefully omitted to avoid confusion.

On the other hand, with obscure battery types, the name of a specific brand will sometimes become the most common name for that battery type, as other manufacturers copy or modify the name so that customers recognize it.

Table of modern battery sizes

The following table is a list of battery sizes which are currently available in modern society. Note that there were other sizes other than those listed in this table which are no longer available due to either a decline in popularity or changing technological needs. Batteries for obsolete portable vacuum tubes devices for example, are not listed. A table of older, obsolete, and uncommon-availability batteries types and sizes can be found below this table.

Most
Common
Name
Other
Common
Names
IEC
Name
ANSI/NEDA
Name
Typical Capacity
(mAh)
Nominal Voltage (V) Shape Terminal layout Dimensions Comments
123 Camera Battery
CR123
CR17354 (Lithium) 5018LC (Lithium) 1500 (Lithium)
700 (Li–Ion)
3 Cylinder + Nub cylinder end
− Flat opposite end
L 34.5 mm
D 17 mm
123 always implies lithium chemistry
4.5 Volt Pocketable Battery
1203
4.5 V
3LR12 (alkaline)
3R12 (carbon–zinc)
MN1203 (manganese) 6100 (alkaline)
1200 (carbon–zinc)
4.5  Flat pack + short terminal strip
− long terminal strip
H 65 mm
L 61 mm
W 21 mm
This battery is more common in Europe than North America.
9 Volt PP3
9-Volt
Radio battery
MN1604
Square(sic) battery
6LR61 (alkaline)
6F22 (carbon–zinc)
6KR61 (NiCd)
1604A (alkaline)
1604D (carbon–zinc)
1604LC (Lithium)
7.2H5 (NiMH)
11604 (NiCd)
565 (alkaline)
400 (carbon–zinc)
1200 (lithium)
175 (NiMH)
120 (NiCd)
500 (Lithium polymer rechrg)
9
7.2 (NiMH and NiCd)
8.4 (some NiMH and NiCd)
Rectangular both small end
+ male clasp
− female clasp
H 48.5 mm
L 26.5 mm
W 17.5 mm
Many (not all) 9 V batteries are an array of 6 reversed-polarity (nub is negative while can is positive) AAAA cells welded together internally
A23 23A
3LR50
MN21
3LR50 (alkaline) 1181A (alkaline) 40 (alkaline) 12 Cylinder
(or button stack)
+ Nub cylinder end
− Flat opposite end
L 29 mm
D 10 mm
Used in small RF devices such as key fob-style garage door openers and keyless entry systems where only infrequent pulse current is used. Sometimes enclosed like a normal battery but sometimes a stack of eight LR932 button cells shrink wrapped together. (see here about naming)
AA Penlight
Mignon
MN1500
MX1500
LR6 (alkaline)
R6 (carbon–zinc)
FR6 (Lithium–FeS2)
HR6 (Ni-MH)
KR157/51 (NiCd)
ZR6 (Ni-Mn)
15A (alkaline)
15D (carbon–zinc)
15LF (Lithium–FeS2)
1.2H2 (NiMH)
10015 (NiCd)
2700 (alkaline)
1100 (carbon–zinc)
3000 (Lithium–FeS2)
1700–2900 (NiMH)
600–1000 (NiCd)
1.5
1.2 (NiMH and NiCd)
Cylinder + Nub cylinder end
− Flat opposite end
L 50.5 mm
D 13.5–14.5 mm
C7/HP7;
AAA Microlight
MN2400
MX2400
LR03 (alkaline)
R03 (carbon–zinc)
FR03 (Li–FeS2)
24A (alkaline)
24D (carbon–zinc)
24LF (Li–FeS2)
1200 (alkaline)
540 (carbon–zinc)
800–1000 (Ni–MH)
1.5
1.2 (NiMH and NiCd)
Cylinder + Nub cylinder end
− Flat opposite end
L 44.5 mm
D 10.5 mm
C16/HP16;
AAAA MX2500 LR8D425 (alkaline) 25A (alkaline) 625 (alkaline) 1.5 Cylinder + Nub cylinder end
− Flat opposite end
L 42.5 mm
D 8.3 mm
Obscure type sometimes used in 'pen flashlights' or electronic glucose meters. Most common use is as an internal component of 9 V batteries.
C Mignon
MN1400
MX1400
LR14 (alkaline)
R14 (carbon–zinc)
14A (alkaline)
14D (carbon–zinc)
8000 (alkaline)
3800 (carbon–zinc)
4500–6000 (NiMH)
1.5
1.2 (NiMH)
Cylinder + Nub cylinder end
− Flat opposite end
L 50 mm
D 26.2 mm
C11/SP11/HP11; Can be replaced with alkaline AA cell using plastic sabot (stub case)
See naming notes below about CR battery types
CR927       30 (Lithium) 3 Coin + bottom/sides
− top
D 9.5 mm
H 2.7 mm
This obscure type of lithium coin cell is used extensively in blinkies.
CR1220   CR1220 (Lithium)   40 (Lithium) 3 Coin + bottom/sides
− top
D 12.5 mm
H 2.0 mm
Standard Discharge Current: 0.1 mA.
CR1225   CR1225 (Lithium)   50 (Lithium) 3 Coin + bottom/sides
− top
D 12.5 mm
H 2.5 mm
Standart discharge current: 0.2 mA. Maximum discharge current: 1 mA. Maximum pulse discharge current: 5 mA.
CR1616 CR1616 (Lithium) 50 (Lithium) 3 Coin + bottom/sides
− top
D 16 mm
H 1.6 mm
Standard Discharge Current: 0.1 mA.
CR1620   CR1620 (Lithium)   78 (Lithium) 3 Coin + bottom/sides
− top
D 16 mm
H 2.0 mm
Standard Discharge Current: 0.1 mA.
CR2016 DL2016  CR2016 (Lithium) 5000LC (Lithium) 90 (Lithium) 3 Coin + bottom/sides
− top
D 20 mm
H 1.6 mm
Standard Discharge Current: 0.1 mA. Often used in pairs instead of CR2032 for devices that require more than 3 V, like blue/white LED flashlights. CAUTION: Using two CR2016 when not specified can damage a device.
CR2025 DL2025  CR2025 (Lithium) 5003LC (Lithium) 160 (Lithium) 3 Coin + bottom/sides
− top
D 20 mm
H 2.5 mm
Standard Discharge Current: 0.2 mA.
CR2032 DL2032  CR2032 (Lithium) 5004LC (Lithium) 225 (Lithium) 3 Coin + bottom/sides
− top
D 20 mm
H 3.2 mm
Standard Discharge Current: 0.2 mA. Maximum discharge current: 3 mA. Maximum pulse discharge current: 15 mA. Common battery in computers to keep the date and CMOS settings current when power is off.
CR2450 DL2450  CR2450 (Lithium) 5029LC (Lithium) 610 (Lithium) 3 Coin + bottom/sides
− top
D 24.5 mm
H 5.0 mm
Portable devices requiring high current (30 mA) and long shelf life (up to 10 years)
CR-V3 CRV3
RCR-V3 (Li-Ion)
2000 (Lithium)
1300 (Li-Ion)
3 Flat pack Both on one end 52.20 × 28.05 × 14.15 mm Size and shape match that of side-by-side AA batteries, so that it may be used in some devices not explicitly designed for CR-V3, especially digital cameras.
D Goliath
U2 (In Britain until the 1970s)
Flashlight Battery
MN1300
MX1300
LR20 (alkaline)
R20 (carbon–zinc)
13A (alkaline)
13D (carbon–zinc)
19500 (alkaline)
8000 (carbon–zinc)
9000–11500 (NiMH)
1.5
1.2 (NiMH)
Cylinder + Nub cylinder end
− Flat opposite end
L 61.5 mm
D 34.2 mm
C2/SP2/HP2; Can be replaced with alkaline AA cell using plastic sabot (stub case)
Duplex 2R10 3 Cylinder + Nub cylinder end
− Flat opposite end
H 74.6 mm
D 21.8 mm
Internally contains two 1.5 V cells hence the nickname 'Duplex'
F 1.5 Cylinder + Nub cylinder end
− Flat opposite end
L 91 mm
D 33mm
Four "F" Cells are usually found within most Lantern batteries.
J 7K67  4LR61 (alkaline) 1412A (alkaline) 625 (alkaline) 6 Square with
missing corner
Flat contacts
− top side
+ missing corner
H 48.5 mm
L 35.6 mm
W 9.18 mm
Typically used in applications where the device in question needs to be flat, or where the battery should be unable to be put in reverse polarity—such as a blood glucose meter or blood pressure cuff. Also good for elderly persons, due to the large size.
Lantern (Spring) Lantern
6 Volt
Spring Top
MN908
4R25Y (alkaline)
4R25 (carbon–zinc)
908A (alkaline)
908D (carbon–zinc)
26000 (alkaline)
10500 (carbon–zinc)
6 Square Springs Top
+ Corner
− Center
H 115 mm
L 68.2 mm
W 68.2 mm
Springs are usually made so that leads for screw top can be fastened to them. In most applications this is fine (see next).
Lantern (Screw) Lantern
6 Volt
Screw Top
4R25Y (alkaline)
4R25 (carbon–zinc)
915A (alkaline)
908 (carbon–zinc)
26000 (alkaline)
10500 (carbon–zinc)
6 Square Screw Posts Top
+ Corner
− Center
H 115 mm
L 68.2 mm
W 68.2 mm
For uses that have high vibration/shock where the leads may be knocked off springs.
Lantern (Big) 918
R25-2
Big Lantern
Double Lantern
MN918
4LR25-24 (alkaline)
4R25-2 (carbon–zinc)
8R25 (carbon–zinc)
918A (alkaline)
918D (carbon–zinc)
52000 (alkaline)
22000 (carbon–zinc)
6 Square Screw posts
Apart top
H 127 mm
L 136.5 mm
W 73 mm
 
N Lady
MN9100
LR1 (alkaline) 910A (alkaline) 1000 (alkaline) 1.5 Cylinder + Nub cylinder end
− Flat opposite end
L 30.2 mm
D 12 mm
Typical uses include remote-control door chimes, and other low current drain devices. Also used for wireless microphones, "Mr. Microphone" type devices, and some laser pointers.
Button types. See Naming Notes below about SR/LR/AG battery types
SR41 AG3
LR41
D384/392
LR41 (alkaline)
SR41 (silver oxide)
1135SO (silver oxide)
1134SO (silver oxide)
32 (alkaline)
42 (silver oxide)
1.50 (alkaline)
1.55 (silver oxide)
Button + bottom/sides
− top
D 7.9 mm
H 3.6 mm
 
SR43 AG12
LR43
D301/386
LR43 (alkaline)
SR43 (silver oxide)
1133SO (silver oxide)
1132SO (silver oxide)
80 (alkaline)
120 (silver oxide)
1.50 (alkaline)
1.55 (silver oxide)
Button + bottom/sides
− top
D 11.6 mm
H 4.2 mm
 
SR44 AG13
LR44
D303/357
LR44 (alkaline)
SR44 (silver oxide)
1166A (alkaline)
1107SO (silver oxide)
1131SOP (silver oxide)
150 (alkaline)
200 (silver oxide)
1.50 (alkaline)
1.55 (silver oxide)
Button + bottom/sides
− top
D 11.6 mm
H 5.4 mm
 
SR48 AG5
D309/393
SR48 (silver oxide) 1136SO (silver oxide)
1137SO (silver oxide)
70 (silver oxide) 1.55 (silver oxide) Button + bottom/sides
− top
D 7.9 mm
H 5.4 mm
 
SR54 AG10
LR54
D389/390
LR54 (alkaline)
SR54 (silver oxide)
1138SO (silver oxide) 100 (alkaline)
70 (silver oxide)
1.50 (alkaline)
1.55 (silver oxide)
Button + bottom/sides
− top
D 11.6 mm
H 3.1 mm
 
SR55 D381/391 SR55 (silver oxide) 1160SO (silver oxide) 40 (silver oxide) 1.55 (silver oxide) Button + bottom/sides
− top
D 11.6 mm
H 2.1 mm
 
SR57 SR927W
AG7
D395/399
LR57 (alkaline)
SR57 (silver oxide)
116550 (silver oxide) 55 (silver oxide) 1.55 (silver oxide) Button + bottom/sides
− top
D 9.4 mm
H 2.8 mm
 
SR58 D361/362 SR58 (silver oxide) 1158SO (silver oxide) 24 (silver oxide) 1.55 (silver oxide) Button + bottom/sides
− top
D 7.9 mm
H 2.1 mm
 
SR59 D396/397 SR59 (silver oxide) 1163SO (silver oxide) 30 (silver oxide) 1.55 (silver oxide) Button + bottom/sides
− top
D 7.9 mm
H 2.6 mm
 
SR60 AG1
D364
SR60 (silver oxide) 1175SO (silver oxide) 20 (silver oxide) 1.55 (silver oxide) Button + bottom/sides
− top
D 6.8 mm
H 2.15 mm
 
SR66 AG4
D377
SR66 (silver oxide) 1176SO (silver oxide) 26 (silver oxide) 1.55 (silver oxide) Button + bottom/sides
− top
D 6.8 mm
H 2.6 mm
 

Naming notes

  • SR# / LR# / AG# Button Cells: IEC SR series batteries are silver oxide chemistry and provide 1.55 volts, while IEC LR series batteries are alkaline chemistry and provide 1.5 volts. Since there are no 'common' names beyond the AG# designation, many places use these three terms interchangeably, and they will all fit and work. The only difference is that the SR series typically have 50% greater capacity than the LR series. In low-drain devices like watches (without lights) this isn't very important, but in high-drain devices like blinkies, key chain flashlights, or laser pointers the LR type is preferred. [There seems to be a contradiction here; are you sure it shouldn't be SR instead of LR?] Typically SR and LR will be the same price unless one buys in wholesale volume so there is no reason not to get the SR version. Often the free 'demo' batteries that come with a device are the LR version.
  • IEC CR# series: Denotes lithium–manganese dioxide chemistry. Since LiMnO2 cells produce 3 volts there are usually no alternate chemistries for a CR# coin battery. Conversely one LiMnO2 cell can replace two alternate chemistry cells, in a 3, 6, 9, or 12 volt battery. CR cell numbers correlate with the cell dimensions, being the diameter in millimetres (except for the extra half millimetre in some cases) followed by the height in tenths of a millimetre.
  • Button / Coin / Miniature: In many places these are used interchangeably.


See also

References

  • IEC 60086-1: Primary batteries - Part 1: General
  • IEC 60086-2: Primary batteries - Part 2: Physical and electrical specifications
  • IEC 60086-3: Primary batteries - Part 3: Watch batteries
  • IEC 60086-4: Primary batteries - Part 4: Safety of lithium batteries
  • ANSI C18.1, Part 1 Portable Primary Cells and Batteries With Aqueous Electrolyte - General and Specifications
  • ANSI C18.1, Part 2 Portable Primary Cells and Batteries With Aqueous

Electrolyte ? Safety Standard

  • ANSI C18.2, Part 1 Portable Rechargeable Cells and Batteries - General and Specifications
  • ANSI C18.2, Part 2 Portable Rechargeable Cells and Batteries ? Safety

Standard

  • ANSI C18.3, Part 1 Portable Lithium Primary Cells and Batteries - General and Specifications
  • ANSI C18.3, Part 2 Portable Lithium Primary Cells and Batteries ? Safety Standard
 
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List_of_battery_sizes". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
Your browser is not current. Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 does not support some functions on Chemie.DE