LR44 vs 357
LR44 is alkaline (1.5V) and 357 is silver oxide (1.55V). They share the same 11.6 × 5.4 mm outline, so many holders accept either — but watches and meters usually prefer silver oxide for flatter voltage.
Last verified Aug 25, 2026
Physically interchangeable in many holders. Choose 357/SR44 for watches and precision gear; LR44 for toys and intermittent gadgets.
Fit can look fine while chemistry, drain class, or temperature rating is still wrong. Use the stamp on the old cell, then the rows that differ in the spec table — not the fact that both cells are round.
They share 11.6 mm diameter, which is why LR44 vs 357 looks interchangeable on a store shelf. Highlighted rows are the ones that change the purchase: voltage, chemistry, 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.
If you searched 357 vs LR44, you are on the same comparison with the names reversed. The difference between LR44 and 357 batteries is not the word “vs” — it is the specs that do not match after you ignore the similar photos.
Nominal voltage is not a rounding error here. LR44 is 1.5 V; 357 is 1.55 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.
Even when the cans look related, LR44 (Alkaline) and 357 (SilverOxide) 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.
Typical LR44 capacity is 110–130 mAh. 357 is 150–200 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.
Same size: 11.6 × 5.4 mm
LR44 = alkaline 1.5V; 357 = silver oxide 1.55V
LR44 is cheaper and fine for toys, laser pointers, and low-duty gadgets
Coin and button codes are rulers, not brand slogans. The letters mark chemistry class. The digits encode size. LR44 measures 11.6 × 5.4 mm; 357 measures 11.6 × 5.4 mm. Once you read the code that way, 357 vs LR44 stops looking like a preference and starts looking like a fit check.
Sometimes. LR44 may physically sit where 357 sat, but chemistry or drain class can still be wrong. Watches, meters, and charged circuits are where “it fits” is not enough.
If the door closes without force and the device asks for this chemistry, a quality LR44 can work. If the datasheet named 357 for a reason — temperature, drain, or charge control — keep that code.
The same “sometimes” applies with the names reversed. Confirm chemistry and the movement or board chart, not just whether the can drops in.
A cheaper substitute that sags under load will look fine for a week and then make a watch run slow or a meter drift.
Retail packs hide the IEC size behind house codes. LR44 also appears as AG13, A76, LR1154. 357. Those prefixes do not change the outline unless the chemistry letters change (BR, LIR, ML, PR).
You do not need a full datasheet to settle LR44 vs 357. 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.
Size match is excellent. Chemistry is the real decision. If a watch came with silver oxide, stepping down to alkaline LR44 often shortens life and can make the watch run slow near end of discharge.
Do not stack cells, grind a can, or use foil as a permanent spacer to fake 357 with LR44. Read the stamp, then the spec table. If the door will not close without force, you have the wrong height or diameter.
Same size, different chemistry. 357 (silver oxide) maintains voltage better than alkaline LR44.
Unlikely. The voltage difference is small (1.55V vs 1.5V). Silver oxide simply costs more than most toys need.
Yes. LR44 vs 357 and 357 vs LR44 are the same pair. Fit, voltage, and chemistry do not change when you flip the order.
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.
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.
Revision record: source citations and field-level review scope added September 11, 2026. See our sources and methodology and corrections policy.
