An LR44 battery is a 1.5V alkaline button cell measuring 11.6 mm in diameter and 5.4 mm in height, commonly used in watches, calculators, toys, medical devices, and small electronics. It is also known as AG13, A76, L1154, and LR1154. For precision devices, the 357/SR44 silver oxide equivalent offers a more stable 1.55V output and up to 50% longer lifespan.

Quick Reference: LR44 Equivalents at a Glance

An LR44 is an alkaline manganese button cell battery with a nominal voltage of 1.5 volts, a diameter of 11.6 mm, and a height of 5.4 mm. The "L" in LR44 stands for alkaline (L = Leclanché-type alkaline), "R" indicates round (button/coin) shape, and "44" is the IEC model designation for this specific size. It is one of the most widely used small-cell batteries in consumer electronics.

Naming Convention Explained

Full Cross-Reference Table

Silver Oxide 357/SR44: The voltage remains flat at approximately 1.55V for most of the discharge cycle, dropping only near end-of-life. This stable voltage is why watches, digital calipers, and medical thermometers specify 357 or SR44 — the device calibration assumes a constant voltage reference.

LR44 Alkaline Specifications

357/SR44 Silver Oxide Specifications

Device Compatibility Matrix

Application Notes

Digital Calipers: Precision measurement tools like Mitutoyo 500-series and Starrett 799-series specify SR44/357 for a reason. An alkaline LR44's sloping discharge curve causes the LCD display to dim and measurements to drift by 0.01-0.02 mm over the battery's life. Silver oxide maintains a stable voltage, keeping accuracy within ±0.01 mm throughout.

Medical Devices: FDA-cleared medical thermometers and glucose meters typically specify silver oxide. The 0.05V difference between alkaline (1.50V) and silver oxide (1.55V) may seem small, but in a glucose meter with a 3.3V regulated reference, this represents a 1.5% voltage error that can lead ¸to inaccurate blood glucose readings.

Step 1: Check Your Device Manual. Look for the battery specification in the user manual. If it says "LR44 or equivalent," any alkaline variant works. If it says "357" or "SR44," use silver oxide for best performance.

• No precision needed (toys, flashlights, remotes) → LR44 / Alkaline
• Moderate precision (bathroom scales, basic watches) → Either works; 357 for longer life
• High precision (calipers, medical, lab equipment) → 357 / Silver Oxide required

• Daily use, easy to replace → LR44 is fine.
• Infrequent use, hard to access (sealed medical devices, waterproof watches) → 357 for longer replacement intervals
• Emergency/backup devices → 357 for longer shelf life

Step 4: Factor in Cost Sensitivity. For personal use, the $1-2 difference per battery rarely matters. For OEMs and manufacturers buying 1,000+ units, the cost difference becomes significant. See the bulk pricing table below.

Brand Reliability for Bulk Purchase

At optimal storage conditions (20°C, 60% RH), alkaline LR44 cells retain approximately 90% of capacity after 3 years and 80% after 5 years. Silver oxide 357 cells retain 95% of their capacity after 5 years and 90% after 10 years.

Leakage and Corrosion

• The battery is stored beyond its shelf life.
• The device is left unused with a depleted battery for months.
• The battery is exposed to temperatures above 60°C

If leakage occurs: Remove the battery wearing gloves, neutralize alkaline residue with white vinegar (acetic acid), neutralize acidic residue with baking soda paste, clean contacts with a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol, and allow the compartment to dry completely before installing new batteries.

Yes. AG13 is simply another name for the same alkaline button cell. AG13, LR44, A76, 76A, L1154, and LR1154 are all 100% interchangeable — same size, same voltage (1.5V), same chemistry. Any device that accepts LR44 batteries will work with AG13 batteries.

Q3: Can I replace LR44 with CR2032?

No. CR2032 is a 3V lithium coin cell with a 20 mm diameter — nearly twice the size of LR44 (11.6 mm). It will not fit in an LR44 compartment, and even if it did, the 3V output would likely damage a device designed for 1.5V.

• Wristwatch (low drain): 1-2 years (alkaline), 2-3 years (silver oxide)
• Digital caliper (intermittent): 6-12 months (alkaline), 1-2 years (silver oxide)
• Toy/flashlight (high drain): 1-6 months
• Remote control (pulse drain): 1-2 years

1. Expired or old stock — Check the date code; batteries near or past expiry have reduced capacity
2. High-drain device — Toys and flashlights draw 10-100x more current than watches.
3. Leakage from previous battery — Corroded contacts increase resistance, reducing effective capacity.
4. Storage in extreme temperatures — Batteries stored above 35°C degrade faster
5. Counterfeit battery — Generic brands sometimes have 30-50% less actual capacity than rated.

Q6: Are LR44 batteries rechargeable?

No. LR44 and all equivalents listed in this guide are primary (non-rechargeable) cells. Attempting to recharge them can cause overheating, leakage, or rupture. For rechargeable alternatives in the same size, consider LIR44 (3.6V lithium-ion rechargeable), but note that the 3.6V voltage requires device compatibility.

For consumer use, Duracell and Energizer offer the most consistent quality and longest shelf life. For bulk/OEM purchases, Panasonic and Maxell provide excellent quality at competitive prices with reliable supply chains. For cost-sensitive applications: GP and Tianqiu offer good value, though capacity consistency may vary.

Q9: How do I read battery date codes?

• Duracell: Two-digit year + week (e.g., "2615" = 2026, week 15)
• Energizer: Letter-month + year (e.g., "A26" = January 2026)
• Panasonic: Two-digit year + week (e.g., "2612" = 2026, week 12)
• Maxell: Year + month code (e.g., "26-03" = March 2026)

Always choose batteries with a date code within 12 months of manufacture for maximum freshness.