The CR1220 is a 3 volt lithium coin cell, 12.5 mm in diameter and 2 mm tall, rated 35 to 40 mAh. It is the middle child of the 12.5 mm lithium family and a common fitment in older car key fobs, small scales and backup-power circuits.
CR1220, face and side profile, drawn to scale: 12.5 mm across, 2 mm thick.
Voltage
3 V
Size (D×H)
12.5 × 2 mm
Chemistry
Lithium manganese dioxide (Li/MnO2)
Capacity
35-40 mAh
Same battery, other names
Every code below is the exact same cell as CR1220. Any of them will fit and work identically.
DL1220ECR1220BR1220 (wide-temp variant)5012LC
Compatible replacements
CR1216: Thinner sibling at 1.6 mm; fits some of the same holders but with less capacity.
CR1225: Thicker sibling at 2.5 mm with about 50 mAh; only if the compartment allows it.
Buying and replacement notes
This is one of the sizes worth keeping a spare of: older Toyota and Subaru remotes, cheap kitchen scales and countless small gadgets take it. Brand-name cells (Panasonic, Energizer, Duracell, Murata) hold their charge for a decade in the package; loose bargain cells often arrive half-drained. If a fob feels weak right after a battery change, suspect the battery's age before the fob.
Commonly used in
car key fobs (older Toyota, Subaru)watchesCMOS backupkitchen scalesmedical monitors
⚠️ 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
What battery is equivalent to CR1220?
DL1220, ECR1220, KCR1220 and 5012LC are brand codes for the identical 12.5 x 2.0 mm, 3 V lithium cell. The BR1220 matches the size with a wider temperature range and slightly different chemistry. No 1.5 V button cell substitutes for it.
Can a CR1225 replace a CR1220?
Sometimes. The CR1225 is 0.5 mm thicker with about a third more capacity, and loose-fitting compartments accept it fine. If the battery door presses hard to close or the cell must be forced, stop and fit the correct CR1220; bent contacts cause intermittent resets.
How long does a CR1220 last in a key fob?
Around two years of typical clicking. Range dropping noticeably, or needing to press the button twice, is the classic early warning. Since these cells cost little, replacing at the first symptom beats being locked out with a dead fob.