Last updated on April 3rd, 2024 at 12:42 pm
The CR2032 is a popular 3 V button cell battery that follows lithium-manganese dioxide chemistry and exhibits better capacity than alkaline button cells. Thus popularly known as lithium energizer. It is commonly used in small electronic devices such as watches, calculators, and keyless remote entry systems.
This has a nominal voltage of 3V, a typical capacity of 235 mAh, and is 20 mm in diameter and 3.2 mm in height. It has a shelf life of 8-10 years when stored at room temperature which decreases to 3-4 years when stored at high temperatures.
The CR2032 battery is also known by its Duracell product code: DL2032 or BR2032. The equivalent Maxell battery code is CR2032H. The Energizer equivalent battery is ECR2032.
Let’s learn more about the CR2032 battery in this article.
Table of Contents
What is a CR2032 battery?
This battery falls under the category of primary batteries. Although they are non-rechargeable, their rechargeable version is also available- LIR2012.
It uses lithium as the anode and compounds from the air such as cupric oxide, manganese oxide, oxygen, etc as the cathode. It is easy to recognize the terminals of the battery. The rough texture end is the negative terminal and the opposite flat surface is the positive terminal which is indicated on the battery as ‘+’.
While most of the batteries produce a nominal voltage of 1.5V, the nominal voltage of CR2032 is 3V. As these are small in size and produce high power, the weight-to-power ratio is also very high. The self-discharge tendency is also very low.
Power stability is another celebrated characteristic. This is due to its low internal resistance. This enables its high conductive electrolyte to provide stable power at normal room temperatures as well as at high-low temperatures.
As these batteries are carried in sealed cases, they are leak-poof to a large extent. Since no toxic elements like mercury or cadmium are added, they do not harm the environment. However, the cost and damage due to overcharging are considered significant limitations.
What does CR2032 stand for?
CR2032 stands for a lithium battery(round shape) having a 20 mm diameter and 3.2 mm thickness.
- The letter C indicates the chemical composition of the battery (here ie, lithium chemistry)
- The letter R indicates the shape of the battery (here ie, Round)
- The first two digits indicate the battery’s diameter in millimeters (here ie. 20mm)
- The second two digits indicate the battery’s thickness (here ie. 3.2mm)
CR2032 battery equivalent
This battery can be replaced with 5004LC, BR2032, CR2032H, L2032, AWI L14, DL2032, ECR2032, EA2032C, BR2332, KCR2032, KECR2032, LF1/2V, LM2032, RFA-35, and SB-T15.
Some other equivalent CR2032 batteries are CR2025, CR2016, CR1632, CR1620, CR1616, CR1220, and CR1216. But keep in mind that you will have to make some mechanical adjustments to use one of these in place of CR2032.
Specifications
The table lists the important features of a CR2032 battery.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Shape | Compact and round |
| Chemistry | Lithium |
| Nominal Voltage | 3V |
| Diameter | 20mm |
| Thickness | 3.2mm |
| Capacity | up to 235mAh |
| Weight | 3 g |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C- 60°C |
| Maximum Current | 0.19A |
| Shelf Life | 8- 10 yrs |
To read its datasheet click here
Dimensions
This button cell is 20 mm wide and 3.2 mm high. Below are its dimensions:
Applications
Since CR2032 batteries are very compact and small in size, they are very suitable for tiny devices. With the larger nominal voltage and high power capacity, they are efficiently utilized for a large number of commercial as well as medical purposes. Some of the important applications of these batteries include:
- Motherboards to security system panels
- Car key fobs
- Watches
- Calculators
- PDAs
- Electronic organizers
- Garage door openers
- Toys
- Door chimes
- Pet collars
- LED lights
- Sporting goods
- Stopwatches
A few of the applications in the medical sector are
- Pedometers
- Calorie counters
- Hearing aid
- Glucose monitors
- Tensiometers
- Clinical thermometer
FAQs
Are all 2032 batteries the same?
Yes, all 2032 batteries are the same in terms of dimensions and voltage. But can vary in quality, chemistry, and actual capacity. CR2032 and BR2032 are two such 3V batteries available in these dimensions but differ in chemistry. Since 2032 means 20mm diameter and 3.2mm thickness, you can easily replace it with a battery that matches this spec.
Can I use a CR2025 battery instead of a CR2032? How are they different?
Both these batteries are not the same. But they can be interchanged if necessary.
The major differences between CR2032 and CR2025 are in their thickness and capacity. The first one is 0.7mm thicker. So slight adjustments will be necessary to perfectly hold it in the slot of CR2032. The increased thickness also allows CR2032 to produce a higher capacity than CR2025 and thus lasts longer.
How can I hold CR2025 perfectly in the slot of CR2023?
As CR2025 is not as thick as CR2023, you can fill the 0.7mm extra piece with a folded aluminum foil or with another conductor. This should be placed on the top of the positive terminal. This will hold the battery in place and power the device properly, even though the performance offered will be slightly less.
Are there any safety concerns for the CR2032 battery?
Yes. As these batteries are very small in size, they may cause a threat to small children. It is hazardous if they accidentally swallow these batteries. Lithium cells are dangerous due to the anode’s current and can easily get stuck in the esophagus. Choking hazards is a major risk. About 20 cases are reported every year due to choking caused by swallowing these batteries by small children.
Are all CR batteries lithium?
No, not all CR batteries are lithium. However, the vast majority of CR batteries on the market today are lithium.
What are the available sizes for CR batteries?
The CR battery sizes are available in AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V. Read more on 9 types of battery sizes.
