SR516, SR516SW, SR62, LR516, LR62, 317 Battery Equivalents and Replacements

SR516, SR516SW, SR62, LR516, LR62, and 317 button cell batteries are often used in wrist watches, toys, remotes, and similar low-drain devices.

These batteries are manufactured by almost all most reputable battery brands and are easy to find at online shops and local hardware stores.

Updated: November 7, 2023.

SR516SW 317 Battery Features and Specifications

SR516SW 317 button cell batteries are rather small batteries with the physical dimensions of (DxH) 5.8 x 1.6 mm (0.2283 x 0.63 inches).

Button cell 5.8 x 1.6 mm batteries have numerous labels, including SR516, SR516SW, SR62, LR516, LR62, 317, etc., but the most common ones are SR516SW battery and 317 battery.

Like most of similar button cell batteries, SR516, SR516SW, SR62, LR516, LR62, 317 batteries are manufactured as alkaline and silver-oxide batteries, but silver-oxide batteries are much more common and are used in low-drain devices that require stable voltage like watches, glucose monitors, credit card sized devices, some medical devices and similar.

Alkaline 5.8 x 1.6 mm batteries

Alkaline batteries are commonly labeled as LR516 or LR62, and they are recognizable thanks to the 'LR' prefix, although some manufacturers use numbers only labels but also describe the battery chemistry on the package of the battery.

For example, some manufacturers use label 317 and sometimes even SR516 or SR516SW to indicate that their alkaline LR516 battery may be (at least in theory) used as a replacement for silver-oxide 317/SR516SW battery. They state that their battery is an alkaline battery on the package using rather small letters. Be aware of this!

The nominal voltage of LR62/LR516 batteries is 1.5 volts, but as the battery is used, voltage drops relatively quickly. Cut-off voltage depends on the device used, but generally, it is around 0.9-1.0 volts.

The typical capacity of an alkaline LR516 battery is around 7-8 mAh, depending on the common temperature, drain current, battery age, and similar.

Sensitive electronic devices feature their own cutoff voltage that may be higher than 1.0 volts (for example, 1.2 volts), decreasing the nominal capacity of LR516 batteries even further.

Silver-oxide 5.8 x 1.6 mm batteries

Silver-oxide batteries are commonly labeled as SR516, SR516SW, SR62, 317 and similar.

These batteries differ from alkaline batteries by mostly having the prefix 'SR' (like SR516, SR516SW, SR62), although some brands use 'numbers only' labels (like '317').

In order to attract potential customers, most of the brands write down the labels of the models that their batteries actually replace.

Of course, this sometimes increases the confusion about which battery to buy, but generally, it greatly simplifies finding proper battery replacement.

The nominal voltage of SR516, SR516SW, SR62, 317 batteries is 1.55 volts, and the typical capacity is in the 10-12 mAh range, which is significantly more than the alkaline typical capacity of 7-8 mAh, especially when used for devices like wrist and other watches, calculators, keyless car remotes, car security alarms, electronic organizers, computer CMOS memory battery, etc.

The cut-off voltage of silver-oxide SR516, SR516SW, SR62, 317 batteries is ~1.2 volts, but this also depends on the cut-off voltage of the device in use - most electronic devices are designed to be powered with silver-oxide batteries because of more stable voltage, higher capacity, and longer shelf life.

In any case, silver-oxide batteries have much more stable voltage than alkaline batteries and are the preferred battery choice of many watch manufacturers like Fossil, Swatch, Casio, Timex, etc.

Additional labels usually include the '317' number and one letter indicating the manufacturer, although such labels are not always present. For example, D317 is (was) Duracell's label for the 317 battery, V317 is (was) Varta's label, etc.

SR516SW 317 Batteries Comparison Chart

The following comparison chart lists some of the most popular silver-oxide 5.8 x 1.6 mm batteries and their most important discharge characteristics.

As one can see, silver-oxide SR516SW 317 batteries have a low self-discharge rate, broad operating temperature range, and are used in low-discharge devices.

Safety Concerns

Although modern SR516, SR516SW, SR62, LR516, LR62, 317 batteries don't contain mercury, lead, or cadmium and are, as such, environment-friendly, they should be recycled properly after use.

Also, they are rather small batteries and may be swallowed by kids or even pets - fortunately, they are packaged in 'child-safe' packages, which means that even adults may have issues getting the battery out :)

While they don't contain poisonous compounds, at least not in any significant amount, they are rather harmful if swallowed - electrolytes in the human body close the circuit, and weak current causes chemical reactions that are rather dangerous.

Although the capacity of these batteries is limited, it is enough to cause issues, to say the least.

Thus, if they get swallowed by a child or pet, call the emergency service (or doctor or vet), tell them what happened, and act according to their instructions.

Long Story Short: if you need a button cell battery 5.8 mm in diameter and 1.6 mm in height and you are not sure which one to get, follow these rules:

• LR516 or LR62 and similar are alkaline batteries: cheaper, but also less stable voltage, lower capacity with shorter shelf life (at most 3-4 years). They are not very common, but if found, don't bother - go for more stable silver-oxide batteries.
• SR516, SR516SW, SR62, 317, and similar are silver-oxide batteries: they cost slightly more but have more stable output voltage, higher capacity, and longer shelf life (5-7+ years).

If you have wrist watch or any similar electronic device, be sure to get a battery that is labeled SR516SW or silver-oxide 317. Some of the most popular models include (Amazon links, the links open in the new windows):

• Energizer 317 SR516SW Silver Oxide Watch Battery
• Renata 317 Watch Battery
• Maxell SR516SW 317 Watch Battery

Personally, the price difference between alkaline and silver oxide batteries is very low, and IMHO, the features and performances of silver-oxide batteries more than justify their price difference.