CR1216 Battery Equivalents, Features, and Dimensions

CR1216 battery is a coin/button cell non-rechargeable type of battery, often used in small appliances and devices like watches, calculators, remote controls, credit-card sized devices, and similar.

CR1216 battery has many other labels, often leading to confusion about which battery is the right one. These labels often include DL1216, ECR1216, BR1216, KCR1216, LM1216, 280-208, 5034LC, etc.

Published: October 14, 2020.

CR1216 Battery Features and Specifications

CR1216 battery is a non-rechargeable manganese lithium battery featuring physical dimensions of (D x H) 12.5 x 1.6 mm and a nominal voltage of 3.0 volts, a typical capacity of ~25 mAh, and a typical drain current of 0.1 mA.

Note: 'C' stands for chemistry type (non-rechargeable manganese-dioxide lithium battery), 'R' stands for 'Round', and 1216 stands for its physical dimensions (D x H) of 12.5 x 1.6 mm.

The actual capacity of the battery depends on the application, local temperature, device type, etc.

For example, if the battery is used for powering a wrist watch with an alarm, LED lights, and similar, the use of such features can significantly shorten the runtime of the battery.

CR1216 can be replaced with a BR1216 battery (non-rechargeable carbon-monofluoride lithium battery) which features a slightly lower (on average 2.8 vs 3.0 volts), but more stable voltage during the use, and lower discharge current - hence, the BR1216 battery should NOT be used with watches that feature an alarm, LED lights, and similar features.

BR1216 batteries are rare in recent years due to the advancements in technology - the main advantage of the BR1216 batteries over CR1216 batteries was a very low self-discharge rate (<1% per year) and broad operating temperature range.

However, with advancements in technology, CR1216 batteries may also feature a self-discharge rate of less than 1% per year, and a broad temperature range between at least -20°C (-4°F) and 70°C (158°F).

Also, CR1216 batteries are able to provide larger currents, when required, than BR1216 batteries.

For example, Panasonic CR1216 battery is a very popular CR1216 battery model with an extra-wide range of -30°C to 85°C, although -20°C to 70°C is the recommended temperature range. Also, Panasonic CR1216 battery features a <1% per year self-discharge rate, 25 mAh capacity, 1 mA continuous drain current, etc.

Panasonic CR1216 battery datasheet can be downloaded here (PDF file, link opens in the new window).

Rechargeable ##1216 Batteries

Rechargeable coin-cell round 12.5 x 1.6 mm batteries are not as common as some other battery sizes.

LiR1216 batteries are very rare batteries - these are rechargeable round 1216 batteries that feature LiMn₂0₄ (Lithium Manganese Oxide), LiNiMnCoO₂ (Lithium Manganese Nickel), LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate), LiCoO₂ (Lithium Cobalt Oxide), or some other similar lithium-ion chemistry and they feature nominal voltage in the 3.2 to 3.7 volts range. 

Since they are very rare and uncommon, and due to the voltage difference (3.2-3.7 volts vs 3.0 volts), it is questionable which 3.0 volts devices support the use of these batteries.

If You need a rechargeable 3.0 volts 1216 battery, the ML1216 battery (based on the rechargeable manganese lithium chemistry) is a much better choice. However, that battery is usually manufactured with tabs and is also rather rare.

CTL1216 batteries are rechargeable coin/button cell batteries, based on the cobalt titanium lithium chemistry, they feature a nominal voltage of 2.3 volts and are sometimes used in automatic/solar watches and similar devices.

CTL1216 batteries are also rare - CTL chemistry is commonly used for the CTL920, CTL1616, CTL621, and CTL1025 batteries.

MT1216 batteries are another very rare rechargeable batteries, based on the lithium titanium chemistry, featuring a nominal voltage of 'only' 1.5 volts. However, MT batteries are able to provide relatively strong currents and support a large number of charging-discharging cycles.

MT chemistry is commonly used for the MT621, MT920, MT516, MT416, and MT821 batteries.

CR1216 Battery Safety Issues

Modern CR1216 batteries contain NO mercury, cadmium or other similar toxic metal and as such, they are poisonous.

However, CR1216 batteries are small, shiny objects that can get swallowed by pets or kids - in the contact with body fluids, they can cause electrolysis, which may be very dangerous to living tissue.

CR1216 batteries can't make as much damage as larger, for example, CR2032 batteries, but nonetheless, they can be dangerous - that is why so many CR and other similar batteries are being delivered in 'pets-safe' or 'kids-safe' packages.

But, if something like that happen, be sure to call local emergency services right away and to act according to their instructions.

Long Story Short: In the end, if You need a round ('R') 12.5 x 1.6 mm 3.0 volts lithium battery, go for a CR1216 battery (non-rechargeable lithium-manganese battery) from reputable brands and replace them when required.