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Home › blog › Is CR2032 Compatible with CR2025 or CR2016
You might wonder if you can use a cr2032 battery instead of a CR2025 or CR2016. All three batteries share a 20 mm diameter and provide 3 V voltage. However, their thickness and power capacity differ. For instance, the CR2016 is only 1.6 mm thick with about 90 mAh capacity, while the cr2032 battery is 3.2 mm thick and can deliver up to 240 mAh. This means your device may require a specific size to fit properly and function correctly.
Indicator |
CR2016 Battery |
CR2025 Battery |
CR2032 Battery |
Diameter |
20 mm |
20 mm |
20 mm |
Thickness |
1.6 mm |
2.5 mm |
3.2mm |
Nominal Voltage |
3 V |
3 V |
3 V |
Capacity |
75-90 mAh |
~150 mAh |
220-240 mAh |
It’s essential to always check your device’s requirements, especially if it involves manufacturing printed circuit components or other precise parts. Using the correct battery size, like the cr2032 battery when specified, helps prevent malfunctions and safety risks.
Here is a quick comparison of their main features:
Characteristic |
CR2016 |
CR2025 |
CR2032 |
---|---|---|---|
Chemistry |
Lithium Manganese Dioxide (Li/MnO₂) |
Lithium Manganese Dioxide (Li/MnO₂) |
Lithium Manganese Dioxide (Li/MnO₂) |
Nominal Voltage |
3.0 V |
3.0 V |
3.0 V |
Diameter |
20 mm |
20 mm |
20 mm |
Thickness |
1.6 mm |
2.5 mm |
3.2 mm |
Typical Capacity |
100 mAh |
170 mAh |
235 mAh |
Typical Weight |
1.9 g |
2.6 g |
3.0 g |
Energy Density (mWh/g) |
122 |
176 |
195 |
Energy Density (mWh/cm³) |
464 |
616 |
735 |
Lithium Content |
0.036 g |
0.078 g |
0.109 g |
Operating Temperature |
-30°C to 60°C |
-30°C to 60°C |
-30°C to 60°C |
Self-Discharge Rate |
~1% per year |
~1% per year |
~1% per year |
All three batteries use the same chemistry and voltage. The cr2032 battery is thicker and stores more energy. It lasts longer than the others. But it may not fit in a spot made for a thinner battery. If your device has a spring or flexible contact, you might use a cr2032 battery instead of a CR2025. Using a cr2032 battery instead of a CR2016 almost never works. The cr2032 battery is just too thick.
Battery Type Category |
Battery Designation |
Voltage (V) |
Diameter (mm) |
Height (mm) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lithium manganese dioxide coin cells |
CR2025 |
3 |
20 |
2.5 |
Lithium manganese dioxide coin cells |
CR2032 |
3 |
20 |
3.2 |
Feature |
CR2016 |
CR2032 |
---|---|---|
Voltage |
3.0V nominal, 2.0V end voltage |
3.0V nominal, 2.0V end voltage |
Diameter |
20mm |
20mm |
Thickness |
1.6mm |
3.2mm |
Capacity |
~75-100mAh |
~200-240mAh |
Chemical Composition |
Lithium manganese dioxide |
Lithium manganese dioxide |
Operating Temperature |
-20℃ to 60℃ |
-20℃ to 60℃ |
Physical Compatibility |
Fits smaller compartments |
Thicker, may not fit CR2016 slots without modification |
Most devices that use a CR2016 have a very thin battery space. The cr2032 battery will not fit unless you change the compartment. Even if you get it in, you might not close the cover or make good contact. This can make your device stop working or even break it.
Some people have tried to use a cr2032 battery instead of a CR2016 by changing the battery space. Sometimes this works, but it is risky. You must make sure the battery touches the contacts and does not move. If the battery is too thick, it can press too hard and hurt the device.
Do not stack two CR2016 batteries to match the thickness of a cr2032 battery. This will make the voltage 6V, which can hurt your device. Even if you put them side by side, you will not get the same power as one cr2032 battery, and you need two spaces.
When you look at CR2016, CR2025, and CR2032 batteries, you will notice they all have a diameter of 20 mm. This means each battery will fit into the same round space in your device. The main difference comes from their thickness.
Battery Model |
Diameter (mm) |
Thickness (mm) |
Voltage (V) |
---|---|---|---|
CR2016 |
20 |
1.6 |
3.0 |
CR2025 |
20 |
2.5 |
3.0 |
CR2032 |
20 |
3.2 |
3.0 |
The CR2016 is the thinnest at only 1.6 mm. The CR2025 is a bit thicker at 2.5 mm. The CR2032 is the thickest at 3.2 mm. You need to check the thickness because your device may only fit one type. If you try to use a thicker battery, the cover might not close or the battery might not touch the contacts.
Capacity tells you how much energy a battery can store. Lifespan shows how long the battery will last in your device. All three batteries have the same voltage, but their capacity and lifespan are different.
Battery Model |
Capacity (mAh) |
Lifespan at 5mA Load (hours) |
---|---|---|
CR2016 |
75 - 90 |
18 |
CR2025 |
160 - 170 |
33 |
CR2032 |
220 - 240 |
Up to 1100 (at low drain) |
The CR2016 has the lowest capacity, so it works best in devices that do not use much power, like small calculators or watches. The CR2025 gives you more energy and lasts longer. The CR2032 has the highest capacity and can power your device for the longest time. For example, in a test with a 15kΩ load, the CR2032 lasted about 1100 hours, while the CR2025 lasted about 630 hours.
Here is a table that shows the main physical differences between CR2025 and CR2016 batteries:
Battery Model |
Thickness (mm) |
Weight (g) |
Volume (cm³) |
Capacity (mAh) |
Energy Density (mWh/g) |
Energy Density (mWh/cm³) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CR2025 |
2.5 |
2.6 |
0.8 |
170 |
176 |
616 |
CR2016 |
1.6 |
1.9 |
0.5 |
100 |
122 |
464 |
The CR2025 is almost 1 mm thicker than the CR2016. This extra thickness gives it more capacity. But it also means it will not fit in every device. Watches, hearing aids, and small electronics use button batteries because they are small. If you put a thicker battery in a spot for a thin one, you could break the compartment. Your device might stop working.
Device Issues
If you use the wrong battery size, your device might not work right. A battery that is too thick or too thin may not touch the terminals well. This can make your device turn off or not start at all. Sometimes, your device might work for a little while and then stop. This happens when the battery does not fit snugly.
You might also notice the battery runs out faster. If the battery is not in the right spot, it can lose power quickly. Some things, like watches or remotes, need steady power to work. Using the wrong battery can make screens flicker, signals weak, or the device stop working.
Here are some problems you could have:
Device Type |
Percentage of Ingestion Incidents |
---|---|
Remote Controls |
17.6% |
Games/Toys |
10% |
Watches |
6.3% |
You should also think about where you use your device. Batteries work best in the right temperature and humidity. Check your batteries often to make sure they are safe and healthy.
Replacement Tips
When you change a battery, do it safely and the right way. Here are some tips to help you:
Parameter |
Why It Matters for You |
---|---|
Capacity |
Shows how long the battery will last in your device. |
Energy Density |
Tells how much energy fits in a small space, good for portable devices. |
Power Density |
Helps if your device needs quick bursts of power. |
State of Charge |
Lets you know how much battery life is left. |
State of Health |
Shows if your battery is getting old or needs to be changed. |
Internal Resistance |
Affects how much energy is lost as heat, which can change safety. |
Cycle Life |
Tells how many times you can recharge the battery before it wears out. |
C-rate |
Shows how fast you can charge or use the battery without hurting it. |
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