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Not interchangeable

CR2032 vs LR44

CR2032 vs LR44: Why These Are Not Interchangeable

Shoppers pair these because both are common “button” batteries. CR2032 is a 20 × 3.2 mm, 3V lithium coin. LR44 (AG13) is an 11.6 × 5.4 mm, 1.5V alkaline cell. Size and voltage both miss.

Last verified Aug 25, 2026

Are CR2032 and LR44 interchangeable?

Never interchangeable. Match the code on the old cell — do not shop by “round battery.”

A LR44 vs CR2032 swap fails on voltage, chemistry, diameter, thickness, capacity. If the door only closes when you force it, or the device works only while you press the cover, you have the wrong cell — not a weak spring you should ignore.

Safety note

Do not stack two LR44 cells to fake 3V in a CR2032 holder. Voltage, polarity, and holder geometry are wrong, and coin-cell stacking is a safety hazard.

CR2032 vs LR44 specs: voltage, chemistry, diameter

CR2032 and LR44 are easy to mix up in a parts bin, but the outline and electrical class are not the same product. Highlighted rows are the ones that change the purchase: voltage, chemistry, diameter, thickness, capacity.

Read physical fit before capacity. Extra milliamp-hours only help when the holder is built for that cell. A “better” spec in the wrong tray is a mechanical or voltage mismatch, not an upgrade.

SpecCR2032LR44
ChemistryLiMnO2Alkaline
Nominal voltage3 V1.5 V
Diameter20 mm11.6 mm
Thickness3.2 mm5.4 mm
Outline20 × 3.2 mm11.6 × 5.4 mm
Typical capacity220–240 mAh110–130 mAh
Typical energy0.66–0.72 Wh—
Typical weight3.1 g—
Fresh open-circuit voltage3.2–3.4 V—
Unused shelf life~10 years~3 years
Categorylithium-coinalkaline-button
Common aliasesDL2032, ECR2032AG13, A76, LR1154, 76A

Difference between CR2032 and LR44 batteries

If you searched LR44 vs CR2032, you are on the same comparison with the names reversed. The difference between CR2032 and LR44 batteries is not the word “vs” — it is the specs that do not match after you ignore the similar photos.

Diameter — 20 mm vs 11.6 mm

CR2032 is 20 mm across; LR44 is 11.6 mm. That gap is enough for one cell to miss the clip entirely or rattle in the other tray. IEC codes put diameter in the first digits for a reason: you cannot sand a coin cell down to fit.

Thickness — 3.2 mm vs 5.4 mm

CR2032 is 3.2 mm thick; LR44 is 5.4 mm. Holders are built for one stack height. The thinner cell loses spring pressure (“works only when I press the cover”). The thicker cell jams the door or bends the clip.

Voltage — 3 V vs 1.5 V

Nominal voltage is not a rounding error here. CR2032 is 3 V; LR44 is 1.5 V. The lower-voltage cell will starve a circuit designed for the higher one. The higher-voltage cell can stress or destroy a gadget that expected the lower rail.

Chemistry — LiMnO2 vs Alkaline

Even when the cans look related, CR2032 (LiMnO2) and LR44 (Alkaline) are different product classes. Capacity, voltage sag, temperature range, and whether the cell can be charged all follow chemistry — not the photo on the listing.

Capacity — 220–240 mAh vs 110–130 mAh

Typical CR2032 capacity is 220–240 mAh. LR44 is 110–130 mAh. Runtime only follows that gap inside the correct holder. Extra capacity in the wrong tray does not last longer — it often does not run at all.

Size

Size: 20 × 3.2 mm vs 11.6 × 5.4 mm

CR2032 is a coin cell; LR44 is a thicker button cell

CR2032 is a coin cell; LR44 is a thicker button cell

Putting LR44 in a 3V tray will not seat; forcing a CR2032 into an LR44 toy can crack the case

Putting LR44 in a 3V tray will not seat; forcing a CR2032 into an LR44 toy can crack the case

How the size code works (CR2032 vs LR44)

Coin and button codes are rulers, not brand slogans. The letters mark chemistry class. The digits encode size. CR2032 measures 20 × 3.2 mm; LR44 measures 11.6 × 5.4 mm. Once you read the code that way, LR44 vs CR2032 stops looking like a preference and starts looking like a fit check.

Can I use a CR2032 instead of a LR44?

Usually no. CR2032 is 20 × 3.2 mm at 3 V (LiMnO2). LR44 is 11.6 × 5.4 mm at 1.5 V (Alkaline). Those are not the same part.

If the spent cell or tray said LR44, specify that code. Forcing CR2032 can crack a cover, lose contact, or apply the wrong voltage.

Can I use a LR44 instead of a CR2032?

Usually no. Going the other way does not fix a diameter, thickness, or voltage miss. LR44 in a CR2032 holder has the same problem with the names flipped.

If you arrived from a LR44 vs CR2032 search, stay on this page. The answer does not change.

Brand labels and aliases

Retail packs hide the IEC size behind house codes. CR2032 also appears as DL2032, ECR2032. LR44 also appears as AG13, A76, LR1154. Those prefixes do not change the outline unless the chemistry letters change (BR, LIR, ML, PR).

How to identify CR2032 versus LR44

You do not need a full datasheet to settle CR2032 vs LR44. You need the stamp, the tray, or a cheap pair of calipers. A store bin labeled only “button cell” or “3V lithium” will not do that work for you.

  1. Read the code on the old cell: CR2032, LR44, and the brand prefixes that map to each one.
  2. If the print is worn off, check the tray, battery door, or user manual before buying.
  3. Measure diameter if the codes are gone: CR2032 is 20 mm; LR44 is 11.6 mm.
  4. Measure thickness: CR2032 is 3.2 mm; LR44 is 5.4 mm.
  5. Buy the matching code. Extra capacity or a thicker can only helps when the holder is built for that cell.

Choose CR2032 when…

  • Key fobs, CMOS, scales, and trackers labeled CR2032 / DL2032
  • You measured about 20 mm across and 3.2 mm thick

Choose LR44 when…

  • Toys, lasers, and trays marked LR44 / AG13 / A76
  • You measured about 11.6 × 5.4 mm

Compatibility and substitution

Silver oxide SR44/357 is the upgrade path for LR44, not CR2032. Lithium vs alkaline “2032” listings are usually mislabeled CR2032 cells.

Do not stack cells, grind a can, or use foil as a permanent spacer to fake LR44 with CR2032. Read the stamp, then the spec table. If the door will not close without force, you have the wrong height or diameter.

CR2032 vs LR44 FAQ

Can I use LR44 instead of CR2032?

No. Half the voltage and a completely different size. The tray will not accept it correctly.

Is CR2032 just a lithium LR44?

No. They are different standardized sizes. CR2032 is 3V lithium at 20 mm; LR44 is 1.5V alkaline at 11.6 mm.

I searched LR44 vs CR2032 — is this the right page?

Yes. CR2032 vs LR44 and LR44 vs CR2032 are the same pair. Fit, voltage, and chemistry do not change when you flip the order.

Should I always trust a cross-reference chart?

Use this guide as a starting point, then confirm voltage, chemistry, and physical size with your device manual or the marking on the old cell.

Review record and primary sources

Reviewed by PlainBattery Technical Review Desk on 2026-08-25. Checked: both model identities and dimensions, voltage and chemistry differences, physical fit, interchangeability conclusion and safety warnings.

  1. Energizer CR2032 Product Datasheet — Energizer Brands, CR2032EU0118 (2018). CR2032 dimensions, capacity test conditions, voltage, pulse discharge and safety.
  2. Lithium Technical Handbook: CR Coin-Type Batteries — Panasonic Energy, 2020 handbook (2020). CR/BR dimensions, nominal voltage, capacity, discharge and temperature characteristics.
  3. Energizer A76 / IEC LR44 Product Datasheet — Energizer Holdings, EBC-4407F. LR44/A76 dimensions, voltage, capacity test conditions and discharge curve.
  4. Silver Oxide (SR) and Alkaline Button (LR) Battery Specifications — Maxell. SR/LR model dimensions, voltage, nominal capacity and drain class.

Revision record: source citations and field-level review scope added September 11, 2026. See our sources and methodology and corrections policy.