Coin Battery Cross Reference
Choose a coin cell to see its equivalent names, exact size and capacity. Add a second cell to check whether one can replace the other in a key fob.
Find an equivalent battery
3 V lithium coin cellsHow to use the cross reference tool
- Read the old battery. Open the key fob and note the code on the flat face of the cell.
- Select that code. The tool lists every common name for the same battery.
- Add a second code. Optional. Use it when the shop only has a different size in stock.
- Read the verdict. Green means safe, amber means short-term only, red means it will not fit.
- Buy the exact match. Any brand is fine as long as the code matches.
A CR2032 is the same battery as a DL2032, ECR2032, KCR2032 and 5004LC. The letters in front are brand prefixes, and the four digits give the size: 20 mm wide and 3.2 mm thick. Cells with different digits are different sizes and should not be swapped in a key fob unless you have no other choice.
Coin cell names confuse a lot of people at the checkout. The pack says DL2032, the old battery says CR2032 and the owner’s manual says “3 V lithium”. The cross reference tool above shows which names mean the same cell and which ones only look close.
Coin Battery Cross Reference Chart
All of these are 3 volt lithium cells. Capacity figures are typical values and vary a little by brand.
| Standard code | Equivalent names | Size (diameter x thickness) | Typical capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR2032 | DL2032, ECR2032, KCR2032, 5004LC, BR2032 | 20 x 3.2 mm | about 225 mAh |
| CR2025 | DL2025, ECR2025, KCR2025, 5003LC, BR2025 | 20 x 2.5 mm | about 165 mAh |
| CR2016 | DL2016, ECR2016, KCR2016, 5000LC, BR2016 | 20 x 1.6 mm | about 90 mAh |
| CR1632 | DL1632, ECR1632, KCR1632, BR1632 | 16 x 3.2 mm | about 130 mAh |
| CR1620 | DL1620, ECR1620, KCR1620 | 16 x 2.0 mm | about 75 mAh |
| CR1616 | DL1616, ECR1616, KCR1616, BR1616 | 16 x 1.6 mm | about 55 mAh |
| CR1220 | DL1220, ECR1220, KCR1220, BR1220 | 12.5 x 2.0 mm | about 38 mAh |
| CR2430 | DL2430, ECR2430, KCR2430 | 24.5 x 3.0 mm | about 285 mAh |
| CR2450 | DL2450, ECR2450, KCR2450 | 24.5 x 5.0 mm | about 600 mAh |
| CR2477 | DL2477, ECR2477 | 24.5 x 7.7 mm | about 1,000 mAh |
If you do not know which cell your car key takes, start with the key fob battery finder.
What Counts as an Equivalent Battery?
An equivalent has the same chemistry, the same voltage and the same physical size. Only the name on the pack changes. Duracell prints DL, Energizer prints ECR and Kodak prints KCR, but the cell meets the same international size standard. You can mix brands freely as long as the four digits match.
A “close” battery is different. A CR2025 and a CR2032 share the 20 mm diameter, so the thinner one drops into the holder. It is still a different cell, with less capacity and a looser fit.
Which Coin Cells Are Interchangeable?
- CR2032 and CR2025: the CR2025 fits a CR2032 holder but is 0.7 mm thinner. It may work for a while, then lose contact. The reverse swap often stops the case closing. See CR2032 vs CR2025 for the full comparison.
- CR2025 and CR2016: same idea. The CR2016 is 0.9 mm thinner and has about half the capacity.
- Two CR2016 for one CR2032: do not do this. Two stacked 3 V cells give 6 V, which can damage a fob built for 3 V.
- CR1620 and CR1616: both are 16 mm wide. The 0.4 mm difference is enough to cause a loose contact or a tight case.
- CR2450 and CR2430: same width, but the CR2430 is 2 mm thinner and will rattle in a CR2450 holder.
The rule is short: a thinner cell of the same diameter is an emergency fix, and a different diameter never fits.
CR vs BR vs LIR
CR cells use lithium manganese dioxide. They handle the short bursts of current a key fob needs when it transmits. BR cells use a different lithium chemistry that suits long, low-drain jobs such as memory backup. A BR2032 fits a CR2032 holder and runs at 3 V, but a CR is the better choice for a remote.
LIR cells are rechargeable and run at about 3.6 V. They look the same as a CR cell but are not a substitute in a car key. Our lithium coin battery guide explains the chemistry in more detail.
Tips for Buying a Replacement
- Match all four digits, not just the first two.
- Check the date on the pack. Lithium coin cells store well, but fresh stock lasts longer in the key.
- Some cells have a bitter coating to deter children from swallowing them. On a few fobs the coating can affect contact, so wipe the cell faces with a dry cloth if the key does not respond.
- Keep spares in the blister pack, away from coins and keys.
For brand recommendations, see the best CR2032 batteries for key fobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
DL2032, ECR2032, KCR2032 and 5004LC are all the same cell as a CR2032. A BR2032 is the same size with a different lithium chemistry.
It fits because the diameter is the same, but it is 0.7 mm thinner and holds less charge. Use it only as a short-term fix and fit the correct CR2032 when you can.
Yes. DL is the prefix Duracell uses. The size, voltage and chemistry are the same.
Both are 24.5 mm wide. The CR2450 is 5 mm thick and holds about twice the charge of the 3 mm thick CR2430. They are not interchangeable.
No. An LIR2032 runs at about 3.6 volts and has far less capacity. Key fobs are designed for a 3 volt CR cell.
