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Coin lithium (CR)

CR2032 battery: equivalents & specs

The CR2032 is the most widely used battery in the world after the AA and AAA: a 3 volt lithium coin cell, 20 mm across and 3.2 mm thick, rated 220 to 240 mAh. It powers everything from motherboards and car keys to AirTags and heart-rate straps.

CR2032 battery drawing: 20 mm across, 3.2 mm thick CR2032 3V + ⌀ 20 mm 3.2 mm
CR2032, face and side profile, drawn to scale: 20 mm across, 3.2 mm thick.
Voltage
3 V
Size (D×H)
20 × 3.2 mm
Chemistry
Lithium manganese dioxide (Li/MnO2)
Capacity
220-240 mAh

Same battery, other names

Every code below is the exact same cell as CR2032. Any of them will fit and work identically.

DL2032ECR20325004LCKCR2032SB-T51

Compatible replacements

  • CR2025: Thinner sibling; fits loose in a 3.2 mm holder and may lose contact. Use only as a stopgap.
  • BR2032: Wide-temperature, low-self-discharge variant in the same case, with lower peak current.
  • LIR2032: Rechargeable lookalike at 3.6 V nominal and 4.2 V fresh off the charger. NOT a safe drop-in for most CR2032 devices.

⚠️ Extremely hazardous if swallowed: a 20 mm lithium cell burns through esophageal tissue within two hours. Keep cells and devices with loose battery doors away from small children, and store spares in original child-resistant packaging.

Buying and replacement notes

Because it is everywhere, the CR2032 attracts more counterfeit and shelf-worn stock than any other coin cell. A genuine Panasonic, Murata, Renata, Duracell or Energizer cell holds over 90 percent of its charge for a decade; no-name multipacks routinely test 20 to 40 percent down on arrival. For a motherboard or an AirTag, the brand-name cell is the cheapest insurance you can buy.

One caution specific to Apple AirTags: Apple asks for a bitterant-coated CR2032, the bitter tasting layer that makes a child spit the cell out, and warns in the same step that some bitterant-coated cells might not work with an AirTag or other battery-powered products. Apple's own answer is to look for packaging stating the cell is compatible with Apple AirTag. And never substitute the rechargeable LIR2032, whose 3.6 volt output exceeds what most CR2032 circuits are designed to tolerate.

Commonly used in

motherboard CMOS backupcar key fobsApple AirTagwatchesheart-rate strapsLED tealightsglucose metersremote controls

Need a replacement?

Shop CR2032 batteries on Amazon →

Comparisons

CR2032 vs CR2025CR2032 vs CR2016CR2032 vs LIR2032CR2450 vs CR2032CR2032 vs BR2032CR2032 vs ML2032

⚠️ 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 is a CR2032 battery equivalent to?
DL2032, ECR2032, KCR2032 and 5004LC are the identical cell under different brand prefixes. The BR2032 matches the size with a wider temperature rating and less pulse capability. The rechargeable LIR2032 is the same shape but 3.6 V, and is not a safe substitute.
Can I use a CR2025 if I don't have a CR2032?
As a temporary measure, often yes: same diameter and voltage, 0.7 mm thinner, so it may sit loose. Fold nothing into the holder to shim it in a critical device; poor contact resets CMOS settings and trackers. Replace with a proper CR2032 soon.
How long does a CR2032 last?
Motherboard CMOS backup: 5 to 10 years. Car fob: 2 to 4 years. AirTag: about a year. LED tealight: 24 to 48 hours of continuous glow. The spread reflects current draw; the cell itself self-discharges only about 1 percent a year when idle.
Why does my brand-new CR2032 not work?
Suspect stale or counterfeit stock, a protective film still on the cell, or reversed polarity in the holder. Measure it: a healthy cell reads 3.2 to 3.3 V open-circuit. Anything under 3.0 V out of the package was dead stock; return it.

More Coin lithium (CR) cells

CR927CR1025CR1130CR1216CR1220CR1225BR1225CR1616CR1620CR1632