Lithium CR1616, DL1616, BR1616, ECR1616, 280-209, GPCR1616, LiR1616, KCR1616, 5021LC 3V Battery Equivalents and Replacements
Lithium CR1616 is a very popular 3.0 volts lithium primary (non-rechargeable) battery, often used in car remote keys, wrist watches, TV remotes, medical equipment, calculators, digital scales, and other small electronic devices.
Due to its very long shelf life and stable voltage, CR1616 is often used as a memory battery in computers, cameras, game controllers, and other electronic devices.
Updated: March 7, 2023.
CR1616 Battery Features and Specifications
Lithium CR1616 is a button/coin cell battery featuring a 16 mm (0.63 inches) diameter and 1.6 mm height (0.06 inches) - hence the '1616' is a standard part of most labels. A typical CR1616 battery weighs in the 1.1 and 1.3 grams range.
Common labels for CR1616 equivalent batteries are DL1616, BR1616, ECR1616, 280-209, GPCR1616, LiR1616, KCR1616, 5021LC etc. Most labels, but not all, include '1616' in the label to indicate the battery size.
CR1616 batteries feature a negative electrode made of lithium, while a positive electrode is commonly made of manganese dioxide. The batteries having positive electrode made of carbon-monofluoride are labeled as BR1616, but they are rarely used.
Manganese-dioxide lithium batteries' labels start with 'C' (CR1616).
The operating temperature range varies among the brands, but generally, it is between -20°C (-4°F) and 70°C (158°F) - for example, Panasonic states for their very popular CR1616 batteries that their operating range is between -30°C and +85°C.
The nominal voltage of CR1616 batteries is 3.0 V, with a cutoff voltage typically around 2.0 V. Voltage drops over time, but it also depends on the battery load and temperature.
The capacity of CR1616 batteries varies, but the best and most reliable brands state capacity of their CR1616 batteries to be in the 50-55 mAh range, with some models claiming a capacity of around 60 mAh.
Carbon-monofluoride lithium batteries' labels start with 'B' (BR1616), and generally, they feature an operating temperature range between -30°C (-22°F) and +85°C (185°F), with some models supporting the use of up to 125°C (257°F).
BR1616 batteries are not so common these days since CR1616 batteries have improved over time, especially in terms of temperature range and shelf life.
The nominal voltage of BR1616 batteries is usually slightly lower than the voltage of CR1616 batteries (2.8 V vs. 3.0 V), and a cutoff voltage is 2.25 V. Typical example is now an obsolete Panasonic BR1616 battery, with a typical capacity of ~48 mAh and standard continuous current of just 0.03 mA (30μA).
Newer carbon-monofluoride batteries have a nominal voltage of 3.0V, a cutoff voltage of 2.0V, a broad temperature range, a capacity in the 45-50 mAh range, and an annual self-discharge rate of <1%. But, since they are not able to provide stronger currents and since the average self-discharge rate of lithium manganese dioxide batteries is ≤1%, BR1616 are practically phased out in favor of modern CR1616 batteries.
The shelf life of high-quality CR1616 is up to 10 years - that means that after being stored for ten years, these CR1616 batteries will still hold ≥90% of their initial charge.
CR1616 Batteries Comparison Chart
The following comparison chart lists some of the most popular CR1616 batteries and their features and specifications:
| Battery Datasheet |
Capacity | Operating Temperature | Annual Self-Discharge Rate | Discharge Current |
| Duracell CR1616 | 50 mAh over 30kΩ down to 2.0V | -20°C to +60°C | ≤1% @20°C | 0.1mA std. cont., 2.5mA max. cont., max. 8mA 1s pulse |
| EEMB CR1616 | 50 mAh | -20°C to +60°C | ≤3% | - |
| Energizer CR1616 | 60 mAh over 30kΩ down to 2.0V @21°C | -30°C to +70°C | ~1% | 95μA over 30kΩ @21°C, max. 6.6mA 2s pulse over 400Ω |
| Maxell CR1616 | 55 mAh | -20°C to +85°C | - | 0.1mA std. cont. |
| muRata CR1616 | 60 mAh | -30°C to +70°C | ≤1% | 0.1mA std. cont. |
| Panasonic CR1616 | 55 mAh | -30°C to +85°C | - | 95μA over 30kΩ @20°C |
| Renata CR1616 | 50 mAh | -40°C to +85°C | ≤1% | 0.1mA std. cont., 1.0mA max. cont. |
Of course, there are other good brands that offer these batteries, just be sure to go for the model that best fits your needs and requirements.
Panasonic CR1616 Battery
The Panasonic CR1616 battery is one of the most popular CR1616 batteries on the market. It features a very good capacity of 55 mAh, a very broad temperature range, and a standard 0.1 mA continuous discharge current.
The battery is intended for a wide range of use, including remote keyless entry systems, credit card devices, memory backup, price and transmitter tags, and similar.
The battery is available with or without soldered tabs.
For the most up-to-date offers and prices, feel free to check the Panasonic CR1616 Battery Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
Duracell CR1616 Battery
The Duracell CR1616 battery, sometimes labeled as "Duracell 1616" or "DL1616", features a nominal capacity of 50 mAh when the battery is discharged over 30kΩ down to 2.0V.
The battery features a continuous drain current of 0.1 mA, but it can provide 2.5 mA continuously and 8 mA pulses for 1 second. The battery has a very low annual discharge rate of ≤1% and is commonly used as a memory backup battery and as a battery for devices that require strong current pulses (remote controls and similar).
For the most up-to-date offers and prices, feel free to check the Duracell CR1616 Battery Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
Energizer CR1616 Battery
The Energizer CR1616 battery is another very popular battery, often labeled as "Energizer ECR1616", featuring an excellent capacity of 60 mAh (discharged over 30kΩ down to 2.0V), broad temperature range, low annual self-discharge rate of ~1% (shelf life of ~10 years), a standard discharge rate of 0.1 mA and maximum current pulse of 6.6 mA for 2 seconds.
As such, the battery is commonly used in ultra-low discharge applications (memory backup battery, for example) and for applications where pulse currents are required (remote controls, for example).
For the most up-to-date offers and prices, feel free to check the Energizer CR1616 Battery Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
CR1616 Battery Safety Issues
Although modern CR1616 batteries don't contain mercury or any other heavy metal like cadmium, lead or similar, they are small, shiny objects that can attract pets and kids.
Although lacking toxic chemicals and heavy metals, if CR1616 or any similar battery gets swallowed, it can cause chemical burns due to electrolytes and even physical damage.
That is why most manufacturers package their CR1616 and similar batteries in 'child safe' packages, which require some strength to be opened without tools of some kind. If these batteries get swallowed, contact the nearest emergency center, explain what happened, and act according to their instructions.
And yes, this is a serious warning!
Long Story Short: If you are looking for a new CR1616 battery replacement for your car keys, wrist watch, TV remote, game controller, and similar, go for batteries from reputable brands like Panasonic, Duracell, Energizer, and similar.
Their CR1616 batteries commonly come with 10-year shelf life, a capacity in the 50-60 mAh range, and acceptable prices.
