Battery Equivalents and Replacements

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.

energizer c battery

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...

d cell ebl

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.

tenergy c nimh battery


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.