SR44 vs LR44
Same 11.6 × 5.4 mm outline. SR44 (silver oxide, 1.55V) keeps a flatter discharge curve; LR44 (alkaline, 1.5V) is cheaper and sags sooner under load.
Last verified Aug 25, 2026
Use SR44 in watches; LR44 is acceptable for low-drain toys.
Fit can look fine while chemistry, drain class, or temperature rating is still wrong. Use the stamp on the old cell, then the rows that differ in the spec table — not the fact that both cells are round.
They share 11.6 mm diameter, which is why SR44 vs LR44 looks interchangeable on a store shelf. Highlighted rows are the ones that change the purchase: voltage, chemistry, capacity.
Read physical fit before capacity. Extra milliamp-hours only help when the holder is built for that cell. A “better” spec in the wrong tray is a mechanical or voltage mismatch, not an upgrade.
| Spec | SR44 | LR44 |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | SilverOxide | Alkaline |
| Nominal voltage | 1.55 V | 1.5 V |
| Diameter | 11.6 mm | 11.6 mm |
| Thickness | 5.4 mm | 5.4 mm |
| Outline | 11.6 × 5.4 mm | 11.6 × 5.4 mm |
| Typical capacity | 150–200 mAh | 110–130 mAh |
| Unused shelf life | — | ~3 years |
| Category | silver-oxide-button | alkaline-button |
| Common aliases | 357, 303, SR44SW, SR44W | AG13, A76, LR1154, 76A |
If you searched LR44 vs SR44, you are on the same comparison with the names reversed. The difference between SR44 and LR44 batteries is not the word “vs” — it is the specs that do not match after you ignore the similar photos.
Nominal voltage is not a rounding error here. SR44 is 1.55 V; LR44 is 1.5 V. The lower-voltage cell will starve a circuit designed for the higher one. The higher-voltage cell can stress or destroy a gadget that expected the lower rail.
Even when the cans look related, SR44 (SilverOxide) and LR44 (Alkaline) are different product classes. Capacity, voltage sag, temperature range, and whether the cell can be charged all follow chemistry — not the photo on the listing.
Typical SR44 capacity is 150–200 mAh. LR44 is 110–130 mAh. Runtime only follows that gap inside the correct holder. Extra capacity in the wrong tray does not last longer — it often does not run at all.
SR44 / 357 preferred for quartz watches and precision instruments
LR44 / AG13 preferred for cost-sensitive toys and gadgets
Hearing-aid 675 looks similar but is zinc-air — not an SR44/LR44 substitute
Coin and button codes are rulers, not brand slogans. The letters mark chemistry class. The digits encode size. SR44 measures 11.6 × 5.4 mm; LR44 measures 11.6 × 5.4 mm. Once you read the code that way, LR44 vs SR44 stops looking like a preference and starts looking like a fit check.
Sometimes. SR44 may physically sit where LR44 sat, but chemistry or drain class can still be wrong. Watches, meters, and charged circuits are where “it fits” is not enough.
If the door closes without force and the device asks for this chemistry, a quality SR44 can work. If the datasheet named LR44 for a reason — temperature, drain, or charge control — keep that code.
The same “sometimes” applies with the names reversed. Confirm chemistry and the movement or board chart, not just whether the can drops in.
A cheaper substitute that sags under load will look fine for a week and then make a watch run slow or a meter drift.
Retail packs hide the IEC size behind house codes. SR44 also appears as 357, 303, SR44SW. LR44 also appears as AG13, A76, LR1154. Those prefixes do not change the outline unless the chemistry letters change (BR, LIR, ML, PR).
You do not need a full datasheet to settle SR44 vs LR44. You need the stamp, the tray, or a cheap pair of calipers. A store bin labeled only “button cell” or “3V lithium” will not do that work for you.
Physical fit is usually fine either way. Performance and longevity are not equal — especially near end of life in watches.
Do not stack cells, grind a can, or use foil as a permanent spacer to fake LR44 with SR44. Read the stamp, then the spec table. If the door will not close without force, you have the wrong height or diameter.
It may run for a while, but expect shorter life and possible timing drift as voltage sags.
Yes. SR44 vs LR44 and LR44 vs SR44 are the same pair. Fit, voltage, and chemistry do not change when you flip the order.
Use this guide as a starting point, then confirm voltage, chemistry, and physical size with your device manual or the marking on the old cell.
Reviewed by PlainBattery Technical Review Desk on 2026-08-25. Checked: both model identities and dimensions, voltage and chemistry differences, physical fit, interchangeability conclusion and safety warnings.
Revision record: source citations and field-level review scope added September 11, 2026. See our sources and methodology and corrections policy.
