Battery Equivalents, Replacements, and Cross Reference Charts

Whenever replacing batteries in your devices, gadgets, flashlights, cars, boats, etc. always replace old batteries with the new ones according to the manufacturer's recommendations. That means reading various manuals/instructions, but better than causing damage, injury or worse by using the wrong batteries.

When replacing batteries, be sure to check details like battery type, its chemistry, dimensions, capacity, max. drain current, max. pulse current, charging current and/or voltage (rechargeable batteries), shelf life, self-discharge rate etc. This sounds complicated, but actually, it doesn't have to be.

On this page:

Button/Coin Cell Batteries	Cylindrical Batteries	Lithium 3V Button/Coin Cell Batteries	Cylindrical Lithium Batteries	Small Rectangular Batteries

Few notes: never charge the batteries with an inappropriate charger, and never charge primary batteries - such activities can cause fires and even explosions.

Also, although lithium and NiMH batteries generally don't contain lead, cadmium, mercury, and other heavy and toxic metals, these are very dangerous batteries if they get swallowed - electrolytes in the human body close the circuit and cause various chemical processes in the human body that can easily cause death!

This is a serious warning! If something like this happens, induce vomiting and call 911 or any similar emergency service and follow further instructions! Again, this is a very serious warning!

Button/Coin Cell Batteries

Button/coin cell batteries are a group of non-rechargeable batteries. They are very common in watches, key-chain flashlights, hearing aids, remote controls, and similar.

There are several chemistry types of these batteries: alkaline, silver-oxide, zinc-air, and mercury-oxide, leading to confusion among their users.

Also, some manufacturers interchangeably use the same labels for both alkaline and silver-oxide batteries. For example, the AG13 battery should be an 'Alkaline G13' battery, and the SG13 battery should be a 'Silver G13' battery. However, AG13 (AG**) and SG13 (SG**) are both often used for silver batteries, while AG13 (AG**) is mostly used only for alkaline batteries.

A comparison of these chemistries is given in the following table:

Alkaline: Alkaline button/coin cell batteries are reliable and cheap batteries. Their nominal voltage is 1.5 volts, but as the battery is used, its voltage drops over time.

Actual capacity depends on the cut-off voltage of the used device. If it is some sort of electronic equipment requiring constant and relatively high voltage, then the nominal capacity of these batteries is rather low - such device will require new replacement batteries rather quickly. If alkaline batteries are used in devices that tolerate low battery voltage, then nominal capacity is larger, since such device will not require new batteries soon.

Typical labels of alkaline batteries are LR##, LR####, AG##, or similar. The typical capacity of, for example, alkaline LR44 is in the 110-130 mAh range, which is lower when compared with equivalent silver-oxide (150-200 mAh) or zinc-air (600-700 mAh).

Shelf life depends on the manufacturer, but generally newer alkaline batteries have a shelf life of at least 5 years.

Silver Oxide: Silver-oxide button/coin cell batteries are the most popular type of these batteries - they are not expensive, often have a shelf life of 10 or more years, they have very constant voltage during operation, which is very similar to the nominal voltage of alkaline batteries (1.55 V vs 1.50 V). This 0.05 V difference is rarely of an issue - in real life more devices will have issues due to the voltage drop in alkaline batteries than with slightly larger voltage of silver-oxide batteries.

Typical labels of silver-oxide batteries are SR##, SR####, SG##, or similar. Again, some manufacturers also label them using alkaline AG## label to emphasize that their silver-oxide (SG##) batteries are replacement for alkaline AG## batteries.

The typical capacity of, for example, silver-oxide SR44 is in the 150-200 mAh range, which is larger than equivalent alkaline LR44 capacity (110-130 mAh) and less than zinc-air (600-700 mAh).

Zinc Air: Zinc-air batteries are used mostly for hearing aid devices. They have slightly lower nominal voltage (1.4 - 1.45 V), but that voltage is actually very similar or even higher than the voltage of alkaline batteries during use - voltage is rather constant during use.

Also, these batteries have the largest capacity of all the chemistries in use for button/coin cells - their typical capacity is 600-700 mAh, which is several times larger capacity even when compared with silver-oxide.

However, these batteries are not so common due to several reasons, but the most important one is that they operate using air (oxygen from the air) and after their electrolyte dries out, they are dead and must be replaced. Depending on the model and manufacturer, after their protective tab is removed, leave them few minutes on the air (for oxygen to enter the battery) and use for few weeks.

When they are properly sealed (protective tab on), their shelf life is usually in the 4-5 years range.

Mercury Oxide: First of all, mercury-oxide batteries are no longer in use due to the environmental impact of mercury. These batteries have (had) slightly lower voltage (~1.35 V), but they have (had) very good capacity - typical capacity of MR44 battery was in the 180-200 mAh range, very similar to the silver-oxide SR44 batteries.

Again: mercury-oxide contains mercury and they are no longer in use. But, if small batteries are swallowed, regardless of the chemistry, induce vomiting and contact the nearest emergency service (dial 911, for example).

Here is a cross-reference chart of common button/coin cell batteries:

Note: Amazon links in the chart open in the new windows, feel free to check them for the most up-to-date offers and prices.

Cylindrical Batteries

Cylindrical batteries are very common batteries used in various devices, ranging from key-chain flashlights and remote control devices to electric tools, bikes, scooters, and similar.

They are divided into two groups:

- primary or non-rechargeable batteries, and

- secondary or rechargeable batteries.

Both groups feature several chemistries providing various nominal voltages, capacities, shelf lives, etc.

Note: never charge primary batteries. Also, never charge rechargeable batteries with the charger NOT designed for chemistry used by that particular battery.

The nominal voltage of primary cells is 1.5V regardless if they are carbon-zinc or alkaline batteries. Carbon-zinc and alkaline batteries are thus interchangeable, just note that alkaline batteries have larger capacity and are generally more used than zinc-carbon batteries.

Primary lithium batteries have a nominal voltage of 3V, they are lightweight and have a large capacity. Also, they tend to be more expensive than zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries and are used in high-power devices like flashlights, cameras, and similar.

The nominal voltage of secondary cells depends on the chemistry. Note: never mix cells of different chemistries in the same battery pack, and always charge them with the proper charger. These batteries are small but pack plenty of energy and if mistreated, they can burst into flames or even explode!

- Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries have a nominal voltage of 1.2V, they can produce insanely large currents, but their capacity and number of charging/discharging cycles are limited when compared with equivalent Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries. Due to their relatively high discharge rate, memory effect, the environmental impact of cadmium, NiCd batteries are being phased out.

- Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries feature good capacity, cadmium/mercury-free, low self-discharge rate, a large number of charging/discharging cycles, good shelf life, etc with acceptable price.

On the other hand, some NiMH batteries are optimized for low drain/high capacity applications and some are optimized for high drain/low(er) capacity applications. When a low drain battery is regularly discharged using high current, its operating life is much shorter - on average good NiMH battery tolerates 400-500 charging/discharging cycles, but when abused with high charge and discharge currents, it can barely make 40-50 charging/discharging cycles. Even that is rather optimistic.

So, when replacing old NiMH batteries with new ones, be sure to check the charging and discharging currents, too.

- lithium secondary batteries have voltages between 3.3 and 3.7V, but most commonly they are labeled as 3.6 V or 3.7 V batteries. This voltage difference is the result of several, often very similar chemistries, which provide different voltage, but also achieve specific purpose like improved safety, larger capacity, higher drain current, and similar.

For more information about these batteries, check Cylindrical Lithium Batteries.

Here is a cross-reference chart of common cylindrical batteries:

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Lithium Non-Rechargeable 3V Button/Coin Cell Batteries

Lithium button/coin cells are mostly primary (non-rechargeable) 3V batteries. Their negative electrode is lithium, while positive electrode is either manganese-dioxide or carbon-monofluoride.

Manganese-dioxide lithium batteries' labels start with 'C' and generally their operating temperature range is between -20°C (-4°F) and 70°C (158°F). Nominal voltage is 3.0 V, and a cutoff voltage is 2.0 V. Typical example is CR2032 battery, with typical capacity of ~225 mAh

Carbon-monofluoride lithium batteries' labels start with 'B' and generally their operating temperature range is -30°C (-22°F) and 85°C (185°F). Nominal voltage is 2.8 V, and a cutoff voltage is 2.25 V. Typical example is BR2032 battery, with typical capacity of ~190 mAh.

Generally BR#### and CR#### are interchangeable batteries - slight lower voltage of BR#### batteries is not problem, at least not for most common devices. But, for devices operating in extreme temperatures, BR#### batteries are recommended over CR#### batteries.

In recent time, rechargeable lithium button/coin cell batteries have appeared on the market. Their most common label is LiR#### and nominal voltage is 3.6 or 3.7 volts. Their capacity is much lower than non-rechargeable CR or BR batteries, but they can be charged and discharged many times (up to or even more than 1000 times).

For example, LiR2032 (or LIR2032, ML2032 etc.) capacity is in the 50-80 mAh range.

Replacing CR or BR types of batteries with LiR batteries should be done only if the device operates properly when being powered with 3.6V (instead of 2.8 or 3.0V). This 0.6V difference can cause operating issues and it can even damage certain devices.

On the other hand, 1000+ charging/discharging cycles can save plenty of money.

Here is a cross-reference chart of common lithium 3V coin cell batteries:

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Cylindrical Lithium Batteries

Cylindrical lithium batteries are commonly rechargeable lithium batteries with nominal voltages between 3.3 and 3.7 volts (depending on the exact chemistry).

Some models come as both primary non-rechargeable lithium batteries with a nominal voltage of 3 volts, and as secondary rechargeable lithium batteries - for example, CR2 and CR123A batteries come in both versions. Swapping these batteries should be done only after thoroughly checking the documentation of the used device since 0.6 volts can cause issues or even damage.

When looking for cylindrical lithium batteries' equivalents, be sure to check battery size, chemistry and voltage, capacity, maximum charge and discharge current, top side type (certain models), presence of protective circuitry, etc.

Topside type: some lithium batteries can come with a button top side (positive), while some batteries of the same type can come with a flat top side (positive).

Protective electronics: some models come with protective electronics, which monitors the status and current parameters of the battery, like charging/discharging current and voltage, battery temperature, remaining charge, etc and if required, shut off the battery to protect it. Such protective electronics decrease the capacity of the battery, but significantly improves the safety of lithium batteries.

Common names for these batteries depend on their construction, electrolytes, and electrodes, but generally, they are lithium-ion, lithium polymer, lithium-ion polymer, and similar.

Note: major differences between lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries (LFP batteries) and ordinary lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) batteries are that LFP batteries do not have safety concerns (overheating, catching fire, explosion) like common lithium batteries, that they have 4 to 5 times longer cycle lifetimes than lithium batteries and 8 to 10 times higher discharge power. They also have slightly lower voltage (3.2 - 3.3 V).

Lithium-air batteries theoretically provide energy densities comparable to that of gasoline, but they are IMHO not yet available for commercial use, at least not with such characteristics.

Here is a cross-reference chart of cylindrical lithium batteries:

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Small Rectangular Batteries

Small rectangular batteries come in various sizes and chemistries. Some of them are being slowly phased out, but some are still quite common.

Again, if more than one nominal voltage is available due to the different chemistries, check the documentation of your device for supported nominal voltages/chemistries.

Here is a cross-reference chart of the most common small rectangular batteries:

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