LR44 Battery Equivalent

Over 1000 words – the most comprehensive single-page guide you will ever need.

1. What exactly is an LR44? The LR44 is a 1.5 V alkaline button-cell (sometimes called a “coin-cell”) that measures 11.6 mm in diameter × 5.4 mm thick. Although the industry often labels it a “1.5 V battery”, the open-circuit voltage of a fresh cell is closer to 1.58 V; the end-of-life voltage is ≈ 1.0 V. Typical alkaline capacity is 110–160 mAh depending on brand, temperature and load. The LR44 is mercury-free and RoHS-compliant in 2025 production, so it can be land-filled with household waste in most jurisdictions (but recycling is still encouraged) .
2. Why are there 20+ different names for the same cell? Button-cells were invented in the 1960s when every major battery company created its own numbering system. Global trade then added IEC, ANSI, JIS and manufacturer codes on the same package. As a result the alkaline 11.6 × 5.4 mm cell is sold as: Table Copy Alkaline Code Common Brand Names Notes LR44 Toshiba, Maxell, GP, PK-Cell IEC code AG13 Generic Asia export Most printed on blister cards A76 Energizer, Duracell 76A US retail packs L1154 Renata, Sony, Panasonic European blister LR1154 Alternative IEC “L” = alkaline, “R” = round G13 Varta, Rayovac German market 154 ANSI/NEDA US industrial catalog PX76A Eveready photo line Same cell, silver label RW82 Rayovac Hardware-store packs V13GA Varta Alkaline Green blister KA76 Energizer bulk trays 10-cell strips All of the above are 100 % interchangeable in everyday gadgets—same size, same 1.5 V nominal, same polarity (negative = flat face, positive = smaller cap) .
3. Silver-oxide equivalents: SR44, 357, 303, 157… Silver-oxide cells share the same 11.6 × 5.4 mm footprint but internally use silver-oxide + zinc chemistry that delivers 1.55 V and a much flatter discharge curve. Capacity is 150–200 mAh, roughly 30 % higher than alkaline, and the voltage stays within ±2 % until the very end—ideal for watches, light meters, medical thermometers and film cameras. Table Copy Silver-Oxide Code Typical Labels Key Features SR44 IEC, Sony, Maxell 1.55 V, 160 mAh SR44W High-drain ANSI Same as SR44 SR44SW Low-drain ANSI Identical cell, older spec 357 Energizer, Rayovac US retail, 1.55 V 303 Smaller blister Same cell, different card 157 Renata Swiss 170 mAh, watch grade SG13 Varta silver 1.55 V S76 alkaline look-alike Silver inside Can I substitute SR44 for LR44? Yes in 99 % of devices, the extra 0.05 V is inside the electronic tolerance window. Advantages: longer life, constant voltage, no sudden “death drop”. Disadvantages: costs 2-3× more, not always stocked in supermarkets .
4. Zinc-air hearing-aid cells: 675 & PR44 Zinc-air chemistry needs oxygen from the air; once you peel the tab the battery “activates” and self-discharges in 4–6 weeks even if unused. Voltage is 1.4–1.45 V, but capacity is huge (600–700 mAh) because the cell uses the air electrode. Size is identical to LR44, so many people ask: “Can I run my laser pointer on a 675?” Answer: Only if the device tolerates lower voltage and you don’t mind the cell dying in a month whether you use it or not. Therefore 675 / PR44 is a niche emergency substitute, not a mainstream LR44 equivalent .
5. Obsolete mercury cells MR44 / MR1154 Mercury-oxide cells delivered 1.35 V and were popular in 1970s cameras. Because mercury is toxic, their sale was banned worldwide by 2000. If you own a vintage camera/light-meter calibrated for 1.35 V you now have three ethical choices: Use a silver-oxide 357 plus a 0.2 V diode adapter (brands: MR-9, V76PX). Recalibrate the meter to 1.5 V alkaline using a variable resistor. Send the device to a technician for silver-oxide conversion. Never break open old MR44 cells—mercury paste is hazardous waste .
6. Detailed specification comparison (2025 production) Table Copy Parameter LR44 Alkaline SR44 Silver 675 Zinc-air Nominal voltage 1.50 V 1.55 V 1.40 V End-point 1.0 V 1.2 V 1.05 V Typical capacity 110–160 mAh 150–200 mAh 600–700 mAh Continuous drain ≤ 5 mA ≤ 10 mA ≤ 8 mA Self-discharge @20 °C 5 % / year 2 % / year Tab off: 100 % in 6 weeks Operating T° 0 °C – 60 °C −20 °C – +60 °C 5 °C – 45 °C Weight 1.9 g 2.3 g 2.4 g IEC code LR44 SR44 PR44 Retail price (USA, 2025) $0.25 – $0.40 $0.80 – $1.20 $0.70 – $1.00 Data aggregated from Panasonic, Energizer, Murata and Varta 2025 datasheets .
7. Cross-reference cheat-sheet (keep in your wallet) Alkaline 1.5 V = interchangeable LR44 = AG13 = A76 = 76A = L1154 = LR1154 = G13 = 154 = PX76A = RW82 = V13GA = KA76 Silver-oxide 1.55 V = interchangeable SR44 = SR44W = SR44SW = 357 = 303 = 157 = SG13 = S76 = MS76 = D357 = 541 Emergency substitutes (check voltage) 675 (zinc-air) – only if 1.4 V is acceptable and short tab-life is OK LR43 (11.6 × 4.2 mm) – thinner, will rattle; add foil spacer at your risk 2× LR41 (7.9 × 3.6 mm) – smaller, needs adapter tube, never recommended
8. Real-world application guide Table Copy Gadget Best Choice Reason Analog quartz watch SR44 / 357 Stable 1.55 V keeps time accurate Bathroom scale LR44 alkaline Cheap, high-drain pulses accepted Red-dot gun sight SR44 silver Constant voltage = constant reticle Digital caliper LR44 alkaline 1.5 V rail is regulated inside Laser pointer LR44 or 357 Silver gives longer run-time Children’s toy LR44 bulk Alkaline is safe and inexpensive Medical thermometer SR44 silver Flat curve = accurate readings Film camera (1970s) 357 + diode Brings 1.55 V down to 1.35 V
9. Buying tips in 2025 Check the “use-by” date—alkaline LR44 should be 2028 or later. Silver-oxide stocks last longer—buy a card of 10, use within 10 years. Avoid no-name auction sites—counterfeit cells leak or have half capacity. Buy “card + blister” instead of loose trays—less chance of shorts and oxidised contacts. Bulk users (schools, labs) can order 1 000-piece boxes from Panasonic or Murata distributors for ≈ $0.18 each alkaline, ≈ $0.55 silver (2025 pricing) .
10. Storage & safety Keep coins in original blister until use—humidity kills button cells. 10 °C–25 °C, < 60 % RH is ideal; refrigerators not recommended (condensation). Keep away from toddlers—11.6 mm is exactly the size of a child’s esophagus; swallowing can cause chemical burns in 2 h. Never recharge—alkaline/silver button cells explode at > 3 V. Dispose at household battery bins; silver-oxide cells contain precious metals—recycling is economical and eco-friendly.
11. Quick FAQ (what Google does not tell you) Q: Will 357 shorten my toy that expects 1.5 V? A: No, 1.55 V is within 3 % and modern electronics have 0.2 V tolerance. Q: My device needs two LR44, can I put one SR44 + one LR44? A: Bad idea—voltage mismatch causes uneven discharge and leakage. Q: Why does my new LR44 read only 1.48 V on a multimeter? A: Alkaline starts at 1.58 V but drops to 1.50 V within 24 h; 1.48 V is normal after shelf oxidation. Q: Is there a rechargeable LR44? A: No commercial 1.5 V rechargeable in this size; Li-ion 3.7 V versions exist but need regulator PCBs—not drop-in. Q: Can I stack two LR44 to replace CR123A? A: No, 3.0 V vs 3.2 V, 2× LR44 gives 3.0 V but < 5 % of the capacity—dangerous under-load.
12. TL;DR – the 30-second summary LR44 is an 11.6 × 5.4 mm 1.5 V alkaline. AG13, A76, 76A, L1154, G13, 154 are the same cell—buy whichever is cheapest. 357 / SR44 is silver-oxide 1.55 V, same size, longer life, flatter curve—safe upgrade. 675 zinc-air fits but 1.4 V and 6-week tab life—emergency only. Store cool & dry, keep away from kids, recycle used cells. Related Articles Introduction to Ohm’s Law Calculator