Last updated on April 3rd, 2024 at 02:01 pm
LR44 battery is a very popular and common type of button cell. It falls under the category of non-rechargeable primary batteries. The key highlight of these batteries is their small and compact size. Hence most small-sized devices such as watches, toys, and calculators use this battery. Let’s discuss all the important details about these batteries in this article.
Table of Contents
What does LR44 Stand for?
The name LR44 follows the battery nomenclature defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in its 60086-3 standard. As per this protocol, the first letter denotes the battery type, the second letter denotes the shape, and the last two digits denote the dimensions.
L in LR44 stands for alkaline chemistry and R stands for round shape. The actual representation of these batteries is LR1154 where 11 denotes the battery diameter and 54 denotes the battery height.
Apart from this 60086 standard, the battery manufacturers assign their part numbers to the existing labels such as LR44G, LR44GD, LR44H, etc.
Must read: Important Battery Terms & Characteristics Explained (with Examples)
What is an LR44 Battery?
An LR44 battery is a small, cylindrical cell that is used in a variety of electronic devices. These batteries are also known as button-cell batteries due to their small size and round shape. Common applications for LR44 batteries include watches, calculators, and laser pointers. While LR44 batteries are not rechargeable, they can be replaced when they reach the end of their lifespan. For most applications, this button-cell battery will provide between 50 and 200 hours of power.
Since LR44 is a flat-shaped battery, people find it difficult to locate the positive and negative terminals. The flat side with markings is the positive terminal and the other side has a small circular protrusion is the negative terminal.
The button batteries are also available in silver oxide chemistry. However, the alkaline variant is the most popular. The battery falls under an affordable range and has an excellent price versus quality ratio.
Another advantage of LR44 is that it is free from toxic materials like mercury or cadmium. Thus they are environmentally friendly and easily disposable. They are lightweight batteries and are thus largely chosen for purposes where weight is a serious concern.
Equivalent/Alternative/Replacement
These batteries are produced by several brands on a large scale due to their heavy demand. However, the name assigned by the company may vary. Some of the exact equivalents to the LR44 battery are Duracell 76A, Energizer A76, and AG13 batteries.
Several batteries can replace the LR44, including L1154, LR1154, and 157. All these options produce the same 1.5 volts.
The silver oxide chemical composition can also be used in place of LR44 batteries. They have the same size and dimensions but are not the exact equivalents in terms of capacity and other performance criteria. Examples of silver oxide equivalents of LR44 include batteries 303, SR44, SR44SW, and 357.
Note: Whenever we plan to replace a battery with its equivalents, do not just stick to its size. Although it fits the slot, the voltage and power output should match the device’s requirements. Otherwise, it causes severe damage due to over/under discharge.
Specifications
The table given below lists the important features of an LR44 battery.
| Shape | Compact and round |
| Chemistry | Alkaline |
| Nominal Voltage | 1.5V |
| Diameter | 11.6mm |
| Thickness | 5.4mm |
| Capacity | up to 240mAh |
| Weight | 1.95 g |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C- 60°C |
| Optimum Temperature | 20°C |
| Shelf Life | 6-8 yrs |
The nominal voltage of this battery is 1.5V. It weighs 1.95g and is 11.6 mm in diameter and 5.4 mm in height.
Similar Coin Cell/Batteries
Applications
As we have already discussed, it is a tiny battery of button size. The flat shape makes them compact too. Thus they are utilized in applications that require a small as well as stale battery. These batteries are mostly used in:
- Wristwatches
- Alarm clocks
- Thermometers
- Small radios
- Motherboards
- Gun sights
- Electronic keys
- Laser pointers
- Calculators
- Cameras
- Dog collars
- Medical devices
FAQs
Are LR44 batteries the same as 357 batteries?
Both are button-cell batteries of the same size. But the LR44 battery has alkaline chemistry and the 357 battery has silver oxide chemistry. 357 batteries show a 30%-100% longer life span. Since 357 batteries are silver-based, it is comparatively more expensive.
Is LR44 the same as CR2032?
CR2032 is another type of button cell battery but not at all similar to LR44. CR2032 differs in every aspect including dimension, battery chemistry, nominal voltage, etc. LR44 is an alkaline battery, whereas CR2032 is a lithium-ion battery.
Can I replace LR44 with SR44 battery?
SR44 and similar-sized button batteries use different chemistry. Silver oxide (SR44) offers slightly higher voltage (1.55V) and lasts longer, but costs more than the alkaline alternative.
Is LR44 a lithium battery?
The LR44 battery is usually confused with a lithium battery due to the letter L. But LR44 is not a lithium battery, but an alkaline battery. The nomenclature is based on IEC 60086-3 standard in which the first letter stands for the battery chemistry. Accordingly, L stands for alkaline chemistry.
Are there any safety concerns for the LR44 battery?
Alkaline batteries are very dangerous for children. Since they are largely used in toys, the LR44 batteries should be taken good care of to keep them out of the reach of children. Since it is a small-sized battery, the children may swallow them which can cause serious health issues.
Also, these batteries may leak out or explode when short-circuited, force discharged, overcharged, overheated, or disposed of in the fire.
