C Battery vs. D Battery: The Ultimate Guide
C batteries (or C-cell batteries) and D batteries (or D-cell batteries) are cylindrical batteries manufactured as both non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries and are commonly used in toys, flashlights, remote controllers, power tools, and many other devices and gadgets.
C batteries and D batteries are very similar in appearance, but they do differ in size, capacity, and other features, making many people ask themselves what the actual difference between C and D batteries is and if they are interchangeable.
Updated: March 24, 2023.
C vs. D Battery: Similarities and Differences
Both C and D batteries are cylindrical batteries, differing in size:
- C Battery Size: 50.0 x 26.2 mm (~1.9685 x ~1.0315 inches),
- D Battery Size: 61.5 x 34.2 mm (~2.42 x ~1.35 inches).
As one can see, the total volume of the batteries differs by ~2.1 ratio.
Although differing in size, both C and D batteries are offered in more or less the same chemistries:
- Non-Rechargeable Chemistries: Carbon-Zinc, Alkaline, Iron Disulfide, Lithium-Thionyl Chloride,
- Rechargeable Chemistries: Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium Ion (with or without DC-DC converter).
The capacity, voltage, output current, and other features greatly depend on the battery chemistry. The lists of most common C and D battery chemistries and models are given in the following comparison charts:
C-Cell Battery Chemistries And Models Comparison Charts
C-cell batteries chemistries:
| Chemistry | Typical Label | Rechargeable | Typical Capacity (Ah) | Nominal Voltage (V) |
| Zinc-Carbon | R14 | No | 2-4 | 1.5 |
| Alkaline | LR14 | No (Mostly No) | 6-8 | 1.5 |
| NiCd | KR14 | Yes | 1.5-3 | 1.2 |
| NiMH | HR14 | Yes | 4-6 | 1.2 |
| Li-SOCl2 | ER 26500 | No | 7-9 | 3.6 |
| Li-FeS2 | - | No | 8-11 | 1.8 (1.5) |
| Lithium | - | Yes | 2-4 | 1.5 (built-in DC-DC converter) |
| Lithium | 26500 | Yes | 3-6 | 3.2-3.7V |
C-cell batteries models:
| Battery Datasheet |
Capacity | Operating Temperature | Note |
| Duracell MN1400 Coppertop (Alkaline) |
~6Ah down to 0.8V @250mA ~4.5Ah down to 0.8V @500mA |
-20°C to +54°C | - |
| Duracell QU1400 Quantum (Alkaline) |
~5.75Ah down to 0.8V @250mA ~4.6Ah down to 0.8V @500mA |
-20°C to +54°C | - |
| EEMB ER26500 (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V) |
9000 mAh | -55°C to +85°C | 0.1A max. cont. ≤1% annual self-discharge rate |
| EEMB ER26500M (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V) |
6000 mAh | -55°C to +85°C | 1A max. cont. ≤2% annual self-discharge rate |
| EEMB ER26500S (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V) |
5500 mAh | -55°C to +150°C | 0.15A max. cont. ≤1% annual self-discharge rate |
| EEMB CR26500SL (LiMnO2 3.0V Battery) |
5000 mAh | -40°C to +85°C | 2A max. cont. 3A max. pulse |
| Energizer E93 (Alkaline) |
~8Ah @25mA; ~7Ah @100mA; ~5.5Ah @250mA; ~4.2Ah @500mA |
-18°C to +55°C | 10 years shelf life @21°C |
| Energizer NH35-2500 (HR14) (NiMH) |
2500 mAh down to 0.9V @1.25&2.5A @21°C 2250 mAh down to 0.9V @5A @21°C |
0°C to +50°C | - |
| Panasonic BK310CHU (NiMH) |
3100 mAh down to 1.0V @620 mA @20°C | -20°C to +75°C | - |
| Panasonic BR-C (LiMnO2 3.0V Battery) |
5000 mAh | -40°C to +85°C | 5mA std. cont. |
| Rayovac LR14 Alkaline Fusion (Alkaline) |
~7Ah @150mA ~4.6Ah @400mA |
-30°C to +55°C | 12 years shelf life @21°C |
| Rayovac LR14 High Energy (Alkaline) |
~6.7Ah @150mA 4.5Ah @400mA |
-30°C to +55°C | 10 years shelf life @21°C |
| Rayovac LR14 UltraPro (Alkaline) |
- | -18°C to +55°C | 10 years shelf life @21°C |
| Ultralife ER26500M (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V) |
6.5Ah @10mA down to 2.0V @23°C | -55°C to +70°C | 1A max. cont. 1.5A max. pulse |
As one can see, actual capacities greatly depend on the actual discharge current, battery age and temperature, and similar.
D-Cell Battery Chemistries And Models Comparison Charts
D-cell batteries chemistries:
| Chemistry | Typical Label | Rechargeable | Typical Capacity (Ah) | Nominal Voltage (V) |
| Zinc-Carbon | R20, 13D | No | 6-8 | 1.5 |
| Alkaline | LR20, 13A | No (Mostly No) | 10-18 | 1.5 |
| NiCd | KR20 | Yes | 2-6 | 1.2 |
| NiMH | HR20, B006 | Yes | 8-12 | 1.2 |
| Li-SOCl2 | ER 34615 | No | 18-19 | 3.6 |
| Li-FeS2 | - | No | 18-24 | 1.8 (1.5) |
| Lithium | - | Yes | 4-8 | 1.5 (built-in DC-DC converter) |
| Lithium | 32600 | Yes | 5-10 | 3.2-3.7V |
D-cell batteries models:
| Battery Datasheet |
Capacity | Operating Temperature | Note |
| Duracell MN1300 Coppertop (Alkaline) |
~12.5Ah down to 0.8V @250mA ~9.5Ah down to 0.8V @500mA |
-20°C to +54°C | - |
| Duracell QU1300 Quantum (Alkaline) |
~11.5Ah down to 0.8V @250mA ~9Ah down to 0.8V @500 mA |
-20°C to +54°C | - |
| Energizer E95 (Alkaline) |
~10Ah down to 0.8V @21°C @250mA ~6.5Ah down to 0.8V @21°C @500mA |
-18°C to +55°C | 10-year shelf life @21°C |
| Energizer NH50-2500 (HR20) (NiMH) |
2500mAh down to 1.0V @500mA @21°C | - | - |
| Eveready 1250 (ZnMnO2) |
8Ah @25mA down to 0.8V @21°C | -18°C to +55°C | - |
| EEMB ER34615 (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V) |
19Ah | -55°C to +85°C | 150 mA max. cont. 300mA max. 0.1s pulse ≤1% annual self-discharge rate |
| EEMB ER34615M (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V) |
13Ah | -55°C to +85°C | 2A max. cont. 3A max. 0.5s pulse ≤2% annual self-discharge rate |
| EEMB ER34615S (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V) |
12.5Ah | -20°C to +150°C | 170mA max. cont. ≤1% annual self-discharge rate |
| EEMB CR34615SL (LiMnO2) |
12Ah | -40°C to +85°C | 2A max. cont. 3A max. pulse ≤1% annual self-discharge rate |
| Procell LR20 (Alkaline) |
~19.6Ah @25mA down to 0.8V @20°C | -20°C to +54°C | - |
| Rayovac LR20 High Energy (Alkaline) |
~13Ah @250mA ~10Ah @600mA |
-30°C to +55°C | 10-year shelf life @21°C |
| Rayovac LR20 (Alkaline) |
~13Ah @250mA ~10Ah @600mA |
-30°C to +55°C | - |
| Rayovac LR20 Alkaline Fusion (Alkaline) |
~13.5Ah @250mA ~10Ah @600mA |
-30°C to +55°C | 12-year shelf life @21°C |
| Rayovac LR20 UltraPro (Alkaline) |
- | -18°C to +55°C | 10-year shelf life @21°C |
| Rayovac R20 (ZnMnO2) |
~3.5Ah @600mA | -18°C to +55°C | 3-year shelf life @21°C |
| Rayovac R20 (Carbon Zinc) |
- | -30°C to +55°C | 3-year shelf life @21°C |
Because of their larger size and hence volume, D-Cell batteries feature larger capacity and are able to provide stronger discharge currents - when comparing the batteries of the same chemistry and construction (high-drain, low-drain, multi-drain).
Can C-Cell Battery Replace D-Cell Battery?
If the special battery holder is used, the battery holder that allows the C-Cell battery to fit the battery compartment intended for the D-Cell battery, then yes, the C-Cell battery can be used to replace D-Cell batteries.
But, one must be aware of the smaller capacity of C-Cell batteries and their abilities to provide not-so-strong currents - which shouldn't be a problem for most LED flashlights, remotes, and similar applications.
However, in the long run, one should consider reverting back to D-Cell batteries for many reasons as soon as possible.
Can D-Cell Battery Replace C-Cell Battery?
No, D-Cell batteries are larger than C-Cell batteries, and they can't fit the battery compartments intended for C-Cell batteries.
So, if You need C-Cell batteries and You have D-Cell batteries, sorry, but no...
Are D batteries the same as LR20?
D batteries, also labeled as D-cell, D-type, MN1300, MX1300, LR20, R20, etc., are cylindrical batteries featuring physical dimensions of 61.5 x 34.2 mm (~2.42 x ~1.35 inches) and feature various chemistries.
LR20 batteries are D-cell batteries featuring alkaline chemistry.
So, for short, LR20 batteries are D-cell batteries, and D-cell batteries may be LR20, but not always - chemistry dependent.
Are LR20 and R20 batteries the same?
Both LR20 and R20 are D-cell batteries, but LR20 batteries are D-cell batteries with alkaline chemistry, while R20 batteries are D-cell batteries with Zinc-Carbon chemistry.
Similarly, LR14 batteries are C-cell batteries featuring alkaline chemistry, and R14 batteries are C-cell batteries featuring Zinc-Carbon chemistry.
Since both C-Cell and D-Cell batteries are easy to find batteries in local hardware stores and online shops, one should always try to use batteries from reputable brands with positive reviews - numerous users have already tested such batteries in real-life applications.
