CellChart
Specialty cylindrical

A27 battery: equivalents & specs

The A27 is a slim 12 volt alkaline battery, 8 mm across and 28.2 mm long, made of eight stacked cells. Known also as 27A, MN27 or V27A, it fits narrow keychain remotes and car alarm fobs that the fatter A23 cannot enter.

A27 battery drawing: 8 mm across, 28.2 mm tall A27 28.2 mm ⌀ 8 mm
A27, side view, drawn to scale: 8 mm across, 28.2 mm tall.
Voltage
12 V
Size (D×H)
8 × 28.2 mm
Chemistry
Alkaline (8-cell stack)
Capacity
20-22 mAh

Same battery, other names

Every code below is the exact same cell as A27. Any of them will fit and work identically.

27AMN27V27A8LR732L828G27A

Compatible replacements

  • A23: Fatter 12 V sibling with more than double the capacity; check which one your remote is molded for.

Buying and replacement notes

The A27 gives up more than half the A23's capacity, around 22 mAh against 55, to fit an 8 mm tube. Keychain transmitters chose it for slimness. The two sizes are perpetually confused in stores; if a replacement rattles, you bought the A27 where an A23 belonged, and if it will not slide in, the reverse. Match the code printed on the old battery or inside the compartment.

Commonly used in

car alarm remoteskeychain remotessmall RF transmitterssome doorbells

Need a replacement?

Shop A27 batteries on Amazon →

Comparisons

A23 vs A27

⚠️ Keep away from children. Swallowed button batteries, especially 20 mm lithium coins, cause severe injury within hours. If a child swallows one, call the 24/7 National Battery Ingestion Hotline (US) at 800-498-8666 or poison control at 800-222-1222 immediately. What every parent should know.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use an A23 instead of an A27?
No. The A23 is 10.3 mm across and will not fit into a compartment sized for the 8 mm A27. Both deliver 12 V, but the housings are molded to their exact diameters. The correct size is printed inside almost every remote's battery bay.
What is an A27 battery used for?
Slim RF transmitters: car alarm keychain remotes, narrow gate and garage fobs, some wireless doorbell buttons and novelty items. Its 12 V drives a simple transmitter circuit well, and the brief transmit bursts suit its very small 22 mAh capacity.
How long does an A27 last?
About a year of typical remote use, less with frequent clicking, since it holds under half the charge of an A23. If a remote eats A27s within weeks, a stuck button or a corroded contact drawing constant current is the likely culprit.

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