CR Battery Sizes: Everything You Need to Know

Batteries constructed from CR cells are ideal for powering small electronics like watches, calculators, remote controls and medical gadgets. A variety of sizes is available for these compact coin-shaped batteries to provide long-term, reliable power. With so many CR battery types like CR2032, CR2025 and CR2450 available on the market today it may be confusing which to select; in this guide you'll learn all about choosing and using them safely!

What is a CR Battery?

A CR battery is a lithium coin cell that is flat, round, and is the same size as a silver pancake. "CR" stands for a few technical things, mostly the chemical composition (lithium manganese dioxide, if you're fancy) and size. Their output usually ranges from 3 to 4 volts, which is rather high for such a tiny device. So if you need steady power, like a calculator, kitchen scale, or medical device for a long period of time, they're a great choice. It doesn't drain quickly, and it doesn't leak often either. Power sources that are solid and reliable.

CR batteries, however, are not all the same. Numbers like CR2032 or CR2025 won't just appear out of nowhere. You can actually find out the size from them. What about CR2032? It measures 20mm wide and 3.2mm thick. CR2025? The width is the same, but the thickness is thinner. There is a lot at stake here since even a tiny difference can undermine a battery's ability to work. That's why they're so small. However, they have rules.

CR Battery Sizes Chart

For a quick reference, here is a handy CR battery size chart. Here's what you need to know: Short, sweet, and straight to the point:

CR Battery Voltage

We'll keep things simple by describing CR battery voltage. One thing that all CR batteries have in common is that they all run at 3 volts. In general, lithium CR batteries are designed to meet that standard. All CR2016s, CR2025s, and CR2450s are 3 volts. Why 3V? In a small package, lithium chemistry delivers more power. That's why CR batteries can be relied upon for low-drain devices such as remote controls, watches, or car keys. Although they don't produce huge amounts of power like big AA batteries, they have a consistent output. Consistent, Reliable.

Let me tell you something: voltage matters. There are a lot. There is a certain voltage that devices are built to expect. If the battery is expecting 3V, do you just throw in a 1.5V alkaline? This won't work. In addition, it may act strangely or glitchily. Conversely, too much voltage can damage delicate components. Precision is everything when it comes to CR batteries. They are used in medical equipment and motherboard CMOS memory because they have a clean, steady 3V output. Low voltages can cause some devices to shut down or malfunction if they drop below 2.5V.

It's important that you don't mistake the 3V label on all CR batteries for an indication of their equality. 3V can be held for a long time by a fresh CR2032. What about one that's thinner, like the CR2016? There is a 3V starting point, but it drains much more quickly. A smaller lithium battery means a shorter life expectancy. There is no change in voltage, but there is a change in capacity. It's all about that. The voltage of CR batteries is always 3 volts, but their capacity and size determine how long that voltage is useful.

CR battery Type

In the first place, "CR" is a code that applies to all coin cell lithium batteries. A battery's chemical composition and structure are referred to as its composition. A lithium manganese dioxide battery will generate power by reacting with lithium manganese dioxide. It's round, so the "R" is just a designation. You don't see anything crazy there, do you? Chemistry isn't the only thing that determines the type of CR battery. Batteries come in different sizes and are used for different purposes.

There are different types of CRs based on their sizes and shapes, and that's why they have different numbers. The code CR2032, for instance, doesn't just look like a random label; it tells you everything about it. The first two digits (20) indicate the diameter of the battery, measured in millimeters. There are two digits after the last one (32) that indicate its thickness. So CR2032? This battery measures 20mm wide and 3.2mm thick. As opposed to this, a CR2025 is 20mm wide but 2.5mm thick. The size determines which type of battery they are, even though both are "CR" batteries.

According to the device's size and power requirements, each type of CR battery is designed for a specific application. The CR1620 might work perfectly for a digital watch or car remote, but a fitness tracker, for example, requires a high-drain battery. Meanwhile, a larger CR2450 can be used to power LED lights, as well as small medical devices like glucose monitors, because its thicker design provides more power. It is important to find the right balance between size and energy output for your device when choosing a CR battery.

Also, keep in mind that CR batteries come in different types of chemistry - although lithium-manganese is the most common. A CR battery may contain a slightly different chemical composition, such as lithium silver oxide (sometimes called SR batteries). Battery capacity tends to be higher on CR batteries, but they are ideal for most everyday needs.

In order to choose CR batteries, you must understand their size, their intended use, and their chemistry. With the right battery, you'll always power your devices.

Which CR Battery Size is best?

There are different requirements for power and size for different devices. It's difficult to find a "one-size-fits-all" solution. Let's take a closer look at it.

For small devices like watches and calculators, the CR2032 battery may be your top pick. Not only is its thickness-capacity ratio ideal, it is one of the most frequently found sizes. Furthermore, it provides 3V of power while fitting into many everyday gadgets we use daily - making this battery an all-round performer found everywhere.

A CR2025 or even CR2016 battery could be an excellent choice if you require less thickness, such as in a super slim device. They're thin and ideal for gadgets with limited space; their smaller capacities only hold a fraction of the power offered by CR2032, so their lifespan won't match but will still function reliably in low-demand devices.

Use CR2450 batteries to power devices such as LED lights, fitness trackers and keyless entry remote controls. As its size increases with power capacity, so too will its longevity; however, due to its larger dimensions it might not fit everywhere - however CR batteries typically come in multiple sizes to meet different device demands; most commonly people choose CR2032 due to its versatility and popularity as their preferred source. Which power source you ultimately select will depend on how tight or expansive your workspace is or whether or not a longer-lasting source is required - choose accordingly

Faqs

Question 1: Are CR2025 and CR2032 batteries the same?

Answer: It is obvious that the thickness of the two batteries differs. There is 3.2mm of thickness in the CR2032 and 2.5mm in the CR2025. With 0.7mm more thickness than the CR2025, the CR2032 can deliver more power (mAh) to the load.

Question 2: How long do CR batteries last?

Answer: Depending on the device they power, most CR batteries typically last between one and five years depending on their thickness (CR2032). Thicker models tend to outlive thinner packs such as CR2016 as their higher capacities allow for extended use time while smaller capacity packs (such as CR2016 ) tend to drain faster but remain reliable enough for devices with lower drain rates.

Final Thoughts

Your selection of the right CR battery size depends entirely upon the needs of your device. In addition to CR2032, other sizes such as CR2025, CR2450 or CR2025 may also be available - remembering size, capacity and longevity when making your selection is key to choosing a battery which powers all your electronics properly.