Battery nomenclature
Standard battery nomenclature describes portable dry cell batteries that have physical dimensions and electrical characteristics interchangeable between manufacturers. The long history of disposable dry cells means that many different manufacturer-specific and national standards were used to designate sizes, long before international standards were reached. Technical standards for battery sizes and types are set by standards organizations such as International Electrotechnical Commission and American National Standards Institute. Popular sizes are still referred to by old standard or manufacturer designations, and some non-systematic designations have been included in current international standards due to wide use.
The complete nomenclature for the battery will fully specify the size, chemistry, terminal arrangements and special characteristics of a battery. The same physically interchangeable cell size may have widely different characteristics; physical interchangeability is not the sole factor in substitution of batteries.
National standards for dry cell batteries have been developed by ANSI, JIS, British national standards, and others. Civilian, commercial, government and military standards all exist. Two of the most prevalent standards currently in use are the IEC 60086 series and the ANSI C18.1 series. Both standards give dimensions, standard performance characteristics, and safety information.
Modern standards contain both systematic names for cell types that give information on the composition and approximate size of the cells, as well as arbitrary numeric codes for cell size.
History of the IEC standard
The International Electrotechnical Commission was established in France in 1906 and co-ordinates development of standards for a wide range of electrical products. The IEC maintains two committees, TC21 established in 1933 for rechargeable batteries, and TC35 established in 1948 for primary batteries, to develop standards. The current designation system was adopted in 1992. Battery types are designated with a letter/number sequence indicating number of cells, cell chemistry, cell shape, dimensions, and special characteristics. Certain cell designations from earlier revisions of the standard have been retained.The first IEC standards for battery sizes were issued in 1957.
Since 1992, International standard IEC 60086 defines an alphanumeric coding system for batteries.
British standard 397 for primary batteries was withdrawn and replaced by the IEC standard in 1996.
History of the ANSI standard
Standardization of batteries in the United States started in 1919, when the US National Bureau of Standards published recommended test procedures and standard dimensions of cells. American standards were revised several times during the following decades, as new sizes of cells were introduced and new chemistry developed, including chloride, alkaline, mercury and rechargeable types.The first American Standards Association standard C18 appeared in 1928. It listed cell sizes using a letter code, roughly in order of size from smallest to larger types. The only numerical designation was the 6-inch tall "No. 6" cell. The 1934 edition of the C18 standard expanded the nomenclature system to include series and parallel arrays of cells. In 1954, mercury batteries were included in the standard. The 1959 edition identified types suitable for use with transistor radios. In 1967, NEMA took over responsibility for development from the National Bureau of Standards. The 12th edition of C18 began to be harmonized with the IEC standard. Rechargeable batteries were introduced in the C18 standard in 1984, and lithium types were standardized in 1991.
In 1999 the ANSI standards were extensively revised and separate safety standards provided. The current edition of the ANSI standards designates sizes with an arbitrary number, with a prefix letter to designate shape, and with a suffix letter or letters to identify different chemistry, terminals, or other features.
IEC battery nomenclature
Three different technical committees of IEC make standards on batteries: TC21, SC21 and TC35. Each group has published standards relating to the nomenclature of batteries - IEC 60095 for lead-acid starter batteries, IEC 61951-1 and 61951-2 for Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries, IEC 61960 for Li-ion, and IEC 60086-1 for primary batteries.Primary batteries
Battery numbering
Examples of the IEC nomenclature are batteries coded R20, 4R25X, 4LR25-2, 6F22, 6P222/162, CR17345 and LR2616J. The letters and numbers in the code indicate the number of cells, cell chemistry, shape, dimensions, the number of parallel paths in the assembled battery and any modifying letters deemed necessary. A multi-section battery will have a multi-section designation.Prior to October 1990, round cells were designated with a sequential numeric size code ranging from R06 through to R70, for example R20 is the size of a "D" cell or ANSI"13" size. After October 1990, round cells are systematically identified with a number derived from their diameter and height. Primary cells larger than 100 mm in diameter or height are designated with an oblique "/" between diameter and height.
| Designation | Series Cells | System | Shape | Standardized code or diameter code | Diameter modifier | Height code | Height adjustment modifier | Modifier | Parallel strings | Remarks |
| R20 | R | 20 | A single zinc-carbon cell, "size 20" which is equivalent to D, or ANSI "13" size | |||||||
| 4R25X | 4 | R | 25 | X | A zinc-carbon lantern battery, consisting of 4 round "size 25" cells in series. Terminated with spring terminals. | |||||
| 4LR25-2 | 4 | L | R | 25 | 2 | An alkaline lantern battery, consisting of 2 parallel strings of 4 round "size 25" cells in series | ||||
| 6F22 | 6 | F | 22 | A zinc-carbon rectangular battery, consisting of 6 flat "size 22" cells. Equivalent to a PP3 or transistor battery. | ||||||
| 6P222/162 | 6 | P | 222 | 162 | A zinc-carbon battery, maximum dimensions: length 192 mm, width 113 mm, and height 162 mm. Consisting of 6 cells in series. | |||||
| CR17345 | C | R | 17 | 345 | A single-cell round lithium cell, 17 mm diameter, 34.5 mm height | |||||
| LR2616J | L | R | 26 | 16 | J | A single-cell round alkaline battery, 26.2 mm diameter, 1.67 mm height | ||||
| LR8D425 | L | R | 8.5 | D | 425 | A single-cell round alkaline battery, 8.8 mm diameter and 42.5 mm long, AAAA or ANSI "25" size |
Electrochemical system
The first letter identifies the chemical composition of the battery, which also implies a nominal voltage.It is common to refer to the negative electrode first in IEC battery definitions.
| Letter code | Negative electrode | Electrolyte | Positive electrode | Nominal voltage | Maximum open circuit voltage | Main article |
| Zinc | Ammonium chloride, Zinc chloride | Manganese dioxide | 1.5 | 1.725 | Zinc-carbon battery | |
| A | Zinc | Ammonium chloride, Zinc chloride | Oxygen | 1.4 | 1.55 | Zinc-air battery |
| B | Lithium | Organic electrolyte | Carbon monofluoride | 3.0 | 3.7 | Lithium battery |
| C | Lithium | Organic electrolyte | Manganese dioxide | 3.0 | 3.7 | Lithium battery |
| E | Lithium | Non-aqueous inorganic electrolyte | Thionyl chloride | 3.6 | 3.9 | Lithium battery |
| F | Lithium | Organic electrolyte | Iron disulfide | 1.5 | 1.83 | Lithium battery |
| G | Lithium | Organic electrolyte | Copper oxide | 1.5 | 2.3 | Lithium battery |
| L | Zinc | Alkali metal hydroxide | Manganese dioxide | 1.5 | 1.65 | Alkaline battery |
| M | Zinc | Alkali metal hydroxide | Mercuric oxide | 1.35 | Mercury battery | |
| N | Zinc | Alkali metal hydroxide | Mercuric oxide, manganese dioxide | 1.4 | Mercury battery | |
| P | Zinc | Alkali metal hydroxide | Oxygen | 1.4 | 1.68 | Zinc-air battery |
| S | Zinc | Alkali metal hydroxide | Silver oxide | 1.55 | 1.63 | Silver-oxide battery |
| Z | Zinc | Alkali metal hydroxide | Manganese dioxide, nickel oxyhydroxide | 1.5 | 1.78 | Nickel oxyhydroxide battery |
Italics indicate a chemical system unlikely to be found in consumer or general-purpose batteries, or withdrawn from the current standard.
Shape
Shape codes are:The F and S shape codes are still in use but are not to be used for new battery definitions.
Size code
Certain sizes, given by one or two digit numbers, represent standard size codes from previous editions of the standard. Sizes given as 4 or more digits indicate the diameter of the battery and the overall height.The numbers in the code correlate with the battery dimensions. For batteries with dimensions of < 100 mm the diameter in millimetres, followed by the height in tenths of a millimetre; for batteries with a single dimension ≥ 100 mm the diameter in millimetres, then a slash followed by the height in millimetres.
As well as the recommended size code definitions there are also ten modifying suffix letters that can be added to the end of the specific size code. These run from A to L and depending on the largest dimension of the battery can either signify 0.0 – 0.9 mm maximum dimensions or 0.00 – 0.09 mm maximum dimensions with A being 0.0 or 0.00 and L being 0.9 or 0.09.
For flat cells the diameter code is given as the diameter of a circle circumscribed around the whole cell's area.
Standardized size codes for round batteries which do not follow the current nomenclature but have been retained for ease of use are given by a one or two digit number following the R. These include but are not limited to:
| Number code | Nominal diameter | Nominal height | Common name |
| R25 | 32 | 91 | F |
| R20 | 34.2 | 61.5 | D |
| R14 | 26.2 | 50.0 | C |
| R6 | 14.5 | 50.5 | AA |
| R1 | 12.0 | 30.2 | N |
| R03 | 10.5 | 44.5 | AAA |
Round button batteries also carry two-digit size codes such as R44, see the button battery table for typical dimensions. Other round, flat, and square sizes have been standardized but are used mostly for components of multi-cell batteries.
and silver oxide chemistries. Four rectangular 9v batteries are also shown, for size comparison. Enlarge to see the button and coin cell size code markings.
The following is a partial list of IEC standard recommended diameter and height codes for round cells:
| Number code | Maximum diameter | Maximum height |
| 4 | 4.8 | |
| 5 | 5.8 | |
| 6 | 6.8 | |
| 7 | 7.9 | |
| 9 | 9.5 | |
| 10 | 10.0 | |
| 11 | 11.6 | |
| 12 | 12.5 | 1.20 |
| 16 | 16 | 1.60 |
| 20 | 20 | 2.00 |
| 23 | 23 | |
| 24 | 24.5 | |
| 25 | 2.50 | |
| 30 | 3.00 | |
| 36 | 3.60 | |
| 50 | 5.00 |
Modifiers
After the package size code, additional letters may optionally appear. Terminal styles and variants of the same battery can be designated with the letters X or Y. Performance levels may also be designated with a C, P, S, CF, HH, or HB or other letter suffixes.An appended letter "W" states that this battery complies with all the requirements of the IEC 60086-3 standard for watch batteries, such as dimensional tolerance, chemical leakage, and test methods.
Battery categories
IEC nomenclature classifies batteries according to their general shape and overall physical appearance. These categories, however, are not identified in the IEC battery nomenclature:- Category 1: Cylindrical cells with protruding positive and recessed or flat negative terminals. The positive terminal shall be concentric with the cell overall. The total height of the cell is not necessarily the same as the total distance between terminals. The cell casing is insulated. E.g. R1 & LR8D425
- Category 2: Cylindrical cells with protruding positive and protruding or flat negative terminals. The total height of the cell is the same as the total distance between terminals. The cell casing is insulated. E.g. CR14250, LR61
- Category 3: Cylindrical cells with flat positive and negative terminals. The total height of the cell is not necessarily the same as the total distance between terminals. The cell casing is in connection with the positive terminal. No part of the cell is allowed to protrude from the positive terminal surface. E.g. CR11108, LR9
- Category 4: Cylindrical cells with a protruding flat negative terminal. The total height of the cell is the same as the total distance between terminals. The cell casing is the positive terminal and it is recommended that the outer surface is used for positive connection even though it is possible from the base. No part of the cell is allowed to protrude from the positive terminal surface. E.g. LR44, CR2032
- Category 5: Cylindrical batteries which fit none of the other categories. E.g. R40, 8LR23
- Category 6: Non-cylindrical batteries. E.g. 3R12, 4R25, 6F22
Secondary batteries
Nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries
Nickel-cadmium and Nickel-metal hydride batteries follow a similar rule as the system above; especially cylindrical cells designed to be dimensionally interchangeable with primary batteries use the same designation as the primary batteries, the codes for electrochemical systems as below.| Letter code | Negative electrode | Positive electrode | Nominal voltage | Main article |
| H | Hydrogen absorbing alloy | Nickel oxide | 1.2 | Nickel-metal hydride battery |
| K | Cadmium | Nickel oxide | 1.2 | Nickel-cadmium battery |
All other cells use the following system:
- Small prismatic cells: KF or HF followed by maximum width in mm / maximum thickness in mm / maximum height in mm. E.g. KF 18/07/49
- Cylindrical cells: KR or HR followed by a letter indicating discharge rate ; then another letter may be added to indicate use at elevated temperatures or rapid charge ; then maximum diameter in mm / maximum height in mm. E.g. KRL 33/62, HRHR 23/43
- Button cells: KB or HB followed by maximum diameter in tenths of mm / maximum height in tenths of mm. E.g. KBL 116/055
Lithium-ion batteries
N1A1A2A3N2/N3/N4-N5
where N1 denotes number of series connected cells and N5 denotes number of parallel connected cells ; these numbers only apply to batteries.
A1 indicates the basis of negative electrode phase, where I is for lithium ion and L is for lithium metal or alloy.
A2 indicates the basis of positive electrode phase, and could be C, N, M, V or T for cobalt, nickel, manganese, vanadium and titanium respectively.
A3 is for the shape of the cell; either R for cylinder and P for prism.
N2 is the maximum diameter or thickness in mm.
N3 is only used for prismatic cells to denote the maximum width in mm.
N4 is the maximum overall height in mm.
E.g. ICR19/66, ICP9/35/48, 2ICP20/34/70, 1ICP20/68/70-2
ANSI battery nomenclature
Early editions of the ANSI standard used a letter code to identify the dimensions of the cell. Since at the time there were only carbon-zinc cells, no suffix letters or other notation were required. The letter system was introduced in the 1924 edition of the standard, with letters A through J assigned approximately in order of increasing cell volume, for cells typically manufactured at that time. By 1934, the system had been revised and extended to 17 sizes ranging from NS at inch diameter by inch height, through size J at inches diameter by inches high, to the largest standard cell which retained its old designation of No. 6 and which was inches in diameter and 6 inches high.Size and shape codes
The current edition of the standard uses a numerical code to show the cell size. Common round cell sizes are:| Number code | Other name | IEC size | Example |
| 13 | D | R20 | |
| 14 | C | R14 | |
| 15 | AA | R6 | |
| 24 | AAA | R03 | |
| 25 | AAAA | R8D425 |
Since these IEC and ANSI battery standards have been harmonized, for example, an R20 cell will have the same dimensions as an ANSI 13 cell.
Flat cells, used as components of multi-cell batteries, have an F prefix and a series of numbers to identify sizes.
Coin cells were assigned size codes in the 5000 range.
Secondary cells using systems H and K have a separate series of size codes, but the cells are dimensionally interchangeable with primary cells.
System and performance suffix letters
The electrochemical system and performance information is given in suffix letters.| Letter | Significance | IEC system letter |
| carbon-zinc | ||
| A | alkaline | L |
| AC | alkaline industrial | L |
| AP | alkaline photographic | L |
| C | carbon-zinc industrial | |
| CD | carbon zinc industrial, heavy duty | |
| D | carbon zinc, heavy duty | |
| F | carbon zinc, general purpose | |
| H | nickel metal hydride | H |
| K | nickel cadmium | K |
| LB | lithium-carbon monofluoride | B |
| LC | lithium-manganese dioxide | C |
| LF | lithium-iron disulfide | F |
| M | mercuric oxide | M |
| SO | silver oxide | S |
| SOP | silver oxide photographic | S |
| Z | zinc-air | P |
| ZD | zinc-air, heavy duty | P |