CR1616 Key Fob Battery Guide: Specs, Fit and Replacement

The CR1616 is one of the smallest batteries used in car remotes. It is thin, light, and holds less energy than most fob cells, so remotes that use it tend to need a new battery a little more often.

This guide covers the CR1616 specs, which vehicles commonly use it, how it differs from the CR1620 and CR1632, and how to replace it.

What Is a CR1616 Battery?

The name follows the IEC code. “C” means lithium manganese dioxide chemistry, “R” means round, “16” is a 16 mm diameter, and the second “16” is a 1.6 mm thickness. Duracell sells it as DL1616 and Energizer as ECR1616. All are the same size and voltage.

Nominal voltage is 3.0V, and a fresh cell reads about 3.2-3.3V with no load. Typical capacity is around 50-55 mAh depending on the brand, which is about a quarter of what a CR2032 holds.

CR1616 Specs at a Glance

Which Cars Use a CR1616 Key Fob Battery?

Honda and Acura are the best-known users, but the size changed across eras, so confirm with your own fob:

• Honda remote-head keys, roughly 2006-2013: Many keys with lock/unlock buttons in the head for the Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot, Odyssey, Fit, and Element from this period take a CR1616. Later Honda remote-head keys (about 2013 onward) generally moved to the slightly thicker CR1620.
• Older Honda and Acura separate keyless remotes, roughly late 1990s to late 2000s, commonly use a CR1616.
• Some Acura remote-head keys from the same era as the Honda versions.
• Honda and Acura smart keys (push-button start) usually take a CR2032 instead.
• Other brands: A few older remotes from other makers, plus many watches and small electronics, also use CR1616.

For brand-specific steps, see our Honda key fob battery replacement guide and the Acura key fob battery replacement guide. For other makes, use the key fob battery size chart.

CR1616 vs CR1620 vs CR1632

All three are 16 mm wide and 3V, so the only question is physical fit. A CR1620 is 0.4 mm thicker. In some fobs it closes, but it puts extra pressure on the contacts and case clips, and a case that does not snap shut fully can let in moisture. Use the CR1616 the fob was built for. Our CR1620 key fob battery guide and CR1632 key fob battery guide cover the other two sizes.

How to Confirm Your Fob Takes a CR1616

1. Read the old battery. The code is on the positive (+) face.
2. Check the owner’s manual under “remote transmitter” or “keyless remote.”
3. Measure it. About 16 mm wide and 1.6 mm thick is a CR1616. About 2.0 mm thick is a CR1620.

What You Need

• One CR1616 from a known brand
• A small flat screwdriver, plastic pry tool, or coin
• A small Phillips screwdriver if your remote has a case screw

How to Replace a CR1616 Key Fob Battery

1. Remove any case screw. Many older separate Honda remotes have a small screw on the back. Most remote-head keys do not.
2. Split the case at the seam or notch with a coin or small flat tool. Twist gently instead of prying hard.
3. Note which side of the battery faces up before removing it.
4. Remove the old CR1616 with a fingernail or plastic tool. Keep metal tools away from the board.
5. Insert the new cell by the edges in the same orientation.
6. Check the rubber button pad is seated, then snap the case closed.
7. Test the remote near the car.

Honda and Acura remotes normally keep their programming through a battery change. If the remote does nothing, recheck polarity and contacts, then read Honda key fob not working.

How Long Does a CR1616 Last?

With its small capacity, a CR1616 in a car remote typically lasts about 2-3 years. Heavy daily use, a stuck or worn button, or a fob left on a hot dashboard can shorten that. Because many CR1616 remotes are now 10-20 years old, also check for worn button contacts and cracked solder joints if new batteries keep dying quickly. Our guide to key fob battery voltage explains how to tell a weak cell from a fault in the remote.

If you own two keys, replace both batteries at the same time. Cells of the same age tend to fail close together, and keeping the spare key fresh means it will actually work the day you need it.

When to Call a Dealer or Locksmith

Changing a CR1616 is an easy DIY job. Call a pro if the remote board is corroded, the case is broken, or a known-good battery does not help. In 2026, replacing and programming a Honda remote-head key typically costs about $100-$300 depending on the model and whether you use a dealer or locksmith. Some older Honda separate remotes can be added with an onboard ignition and button sequence, but procedures vary by model; see how to program a key fob before paying for programming.

Signs Your CR1616 Is Running Low

• You need to press the button two or three times.
• The remote only works when you are a few feet from the car.
• The remote LED, if it has one, is dim or does not flash.
• The remote works in warm weather but fails on cold mornings.

Because the CR1616 is so small, it gives you less warning than larger cells. Once range drops, it may only have weeks left. A multimeter reading below about 2.9V at rest is a good sign to replace it.

Buying Tips for CR1616 Batteries

• Buy name brands such as Panasonic, Energizer, Duracell, Maxell, or Murata.
• Check the date code. Coin cells slowly lose charge on the shelf, and with only about 50-55 mAh to start, a stale CR1616 has little to spare.
• Avoid BR1616 cells unless your manual specifies them. They use a different lithium chemistry with lower pulse output.
• Store spares safely in their packaging, away from children and pets.

Frequently Asked Questions