Sometimes, CR2032 batteries and CR2016 batteries that are round, flat, and look like small silver buttons seem to look the same. Since they all look the same, can they be used universally?
Stop! Wait a minute!
Although CR2032 battery and CR2016 battery share similarities, there are actually DIFFERENCES in battery thickness and battery capacity. Therefore, we cannot simply use the two batteries.
If you make a mistake by accident, you will have to place another order to buy it lol. So, in order to clarify the difference between CR2032 battery and CR2016 battery, and not to be confused by the similar appearance when buying the battery, take a look at the content:
Batteries of CR series
The most common type of lithium-ion battery is a polycarbon monofluoride battery called BR.
The BR-type is the standard for small lithium-ion batteries, casually referred to as "button batteries" or "coin batteries" because of their small, round size. BR batteries are known to operate at high power from start to finish, while also being able to withstand hot temperatures.
Another type of button battery, the CR battery, is a manganese lithium dioxide battery. The initial discharge of CR batteries is higher than the initial discharge of BR batteries, but should be phased out as the battery ages. For this reason, BR batteries tend to be used for electronics, such as cellphones and laptops, where life is important. However, CR batteries are more affordable, making them popular with devices such as smoke detectors, bathroom scales, wristwatches and calculators.
Each CR battery has four numbers, unique to that battery. These four numbers refer to the thickness of the battery itself. When you look at CR2016 vs. CR2032, the CR2016 is 1.6 millimeters thick and the CR2032 is 3.2 millimeters thick. The last two numbers on any CR battery will tell you the thickness in millimeters.
CR2016 and CR2032 interchangeability
CR2016 and CR2032 may vary in thickness, but they are identical in several ways.
They're both 3-volt versions, and none of them is rechargeable. However, it is important to remember that there are variations in ability. CR 2032 has a capacity of 240 mAh, while CR2016 has a capacity of just 90 mAh. The CR2032 can provide 10 hours of use, while you only get about six hours from the CR2016, depending on the power you're using, of course.
Due to their equivalent voltage, there are several cases where CR2016 and CR2032 can be interchanged. However, the fact that they have different capacities and therefore different runtimes can cause problems. You will not get the power from the CR2016 that you will get from the CR2032, and some devices won't function at all.
Use of each CR battery
When weighing CR2016 vs. CR2032, the greatest difference to you is possibly where they are used. They are both similar in that they appear to be found in small devices, many of which are household products. You can not even know that an object uses a battery until it runs out, and you have to replace it.
Since the CR2016 battery has a shorter life cycle, you can find it in things that do not attract much power, such as calculators and watches. Usually, the CR2016 battery can handle the low power draw on such products and deliver months of use, if not years. Items such as PC motherboards, car remotes, bank card readers and toys are made for CR2032 batteries.
Warnings of Button Batteries
The small size makes both the CR2032 and CR2016 batteries a choking hazard. If you have children in your home, make sure your button batteries are kept out of their control. Since these batteries are also used in toys, check the battery compartment of any toy your child plays with to ensure that they are securely sealed.
If someone in your home ingests a battery button, get help right away. Choking is only one threat. If left unchecked, a lithium-ion battery can become lethal in a matter of hours. Do not encourage a person to eat or drink something that prevents forcing it further down the esophagus.
OK! That's all for the differences between CR2016 and CR2032 batteries. If you find this post useful, please bookmark our website Apogeeweb, we will provide you with electronic component blogs, industry news, tools, etc. that you are interested in. Stay tuned for our next blog…
Price of each CR battery
| CR2016 | CR2032 | CR2016 | CR2032 | |
| Qty. | Unit Price | Ext. Price | ||
| 1 | 0.33 | 0.34 | 0.33 | 0.34 |
| 10 | 0.28 | 0.281 | 2.8 | 2.81 |
| 50 | 0.246 | / | 12.3 | / |
| 100 | 0.232 | 0.217 | 23.2 | 21.7 |
| 250 | 0.216 | / | 54 | / |
| 500 | 0.205 | 0.206 | 102.5 | 103 |
| 1000 | 0.194 | 0.195 | 194 | 195 |
| 2000 | 0.18 | 0.181 | 360 | 362 |
Product Description
| CR2016 | CR2032 | |
| Benefits of this product | Long shelf life of up to 10 years; self-discharge is very low | Very low self-discharge; long shelf life: up to 10 years |
| Use in a wide variety of applications | A full line up for use in a wide variety of applications | |
| High voltage (3V) | High voltage (3V) | |
|
Use in a wide range of temperatures (-30°C to +60°C) |
Usefull in a wide range of temperatures (-30°C to +60°C) |
|
| No mercury added | No mercury added | |
| Power: ultra compact |
Two, three or more conventional batteries can be replaces by a single lithium battery. That's because there's a lot of power in this ultra-compact design: 3V. Thanks to the Panasonic lithium coin CR2016 battery, even very small devices can now be provided with a powerful source of energy. |
The Panasonic lithium coin CR2032 battery has a high voltage of 3V. In short: lots of power in an ultra-compact design. You have enough with one lithium battery in comparison to 2, 3 or more traditional batteries. Choose the lithium coin CR2032 battery as a powerful source of energy for your small devices. |
| Self-discharge |
90% of their original capacity, that's how much power the Panasonic lithium coin CR2016 batteries still have after 10 years. Their chemical stability, which is due to the combination of lithium and manganese dioxide, is very high. Long-term discharge has been verified at all operating temperatures under low-load discharge conditions. |
90% of the original capacity: that is what the Panasonic lithium coin CR2032 batteries still have after even 10 years. The combination of lithium and manganese dioxide results in a chemically very stable battery. Long-term discharge has been verified at all operating temperatures under low-load discharge conditions. |
| Reliability and safety | Panasonic batteries have won approval under the UL safety standards in the United States and wide recognition throughout the world for their high reliability and safety. This is the result of repeated tests on the various safety and performance characteristics of the Lithium Coin CR2016, plus the effects of environmental factors such as temperature that Panasonic has conducted. We have accumulated a wealth of corroborative data on the performance of our batteries that cannot be pinpointed by short-term accelerated tests. | Repeated tests on the various safety and performance characteristics of this battery have been conducted by Panasonic. Also the effects of environmental factors such as temperature were tested. Panasonic has accumulated a wealth of corroborative data on the performance of our batteries that cannot be pinpointed by short-term accelerated tests. The result is that Panasonic batteries have won consent for their high reliability and safety under the UL safety standards in the United States and wide recognition over the world. |
| Applications |
You can use these batteries in calculators, digital watches, memory back-up, laser pens, car keys, fitness appliances and medical devices like a clinical thermometer and a tensiometer. Lithium Coin CR2016 has a proven track record for appliances where conventional batteries cannot be used. |
Lithium Coin CR2032 has certain achievements for devices where traditional batteries cannot be used. This battery can be used for memory back-up, digital watches, car keys, laser pens, fitness appliances and medical devices such as tensiometers and clinical thermometers. |
Related Part: CR2025
Figure: CR2025
Features & Benefits
- Good pulse capability
- High discharge characteristics
- Stable voltage level during discharge
- Long-term reliability
| Manufacturer: | Panasonic |
| Product Category: | Coin Cell Battery |
| RoHS: | Not Applicable |
| Series: | CR |
| Battery Size: | CR2025 |
| Battery Chemistry: | Lithium Manganese Dioxide (LiMnO2) |
| Output Voltage: | 3 V |
| Capacity: | 165 mAh |
| Rechargeable/Non-Rechargeable: | Non-Rechargeable |
| Termination Style: | Pressure Contacts |
| Width: | 20 mm |
| Height: | 2.5 mm |
| Minimum Operating Temperature: | - 30 ℃ |
| Maximum Operating Temperature: | + 60 ℃ |
Video about Batteries
Video about CR2032 vs CR2016
Video about CR2032 vs CR2025
Video about CR2016 & CR2025
FAQ
Iggy, I appreciated the article on comparing 2032 and 2016 batteries. Perhaps a suggestion for additional discussion; Some products that I've used over the years (like small squeeze lights) that use a single 2032 battery (20mm wide x 3.2mm thick) will alternately fit and run on two stacked 2016 (20mm x 1.6mm) batteries. A single 2032 will run much longer than the two-stacked 2016 batteries combined, but if you didn't have any 2032 batteries on hand, the 2016s can get you by for awhile.
author
Re: Thanks for your support and the addition, Mills