You need a tiny button battery, you check three shops, and you get three different codes: one calls it LR44, another AG13, a third lists it as A76 or 357. Are they the same battery? Usually yes, but not always, and the difference occasionally matters. This guide explains where all these codes come from, gives you a cross-reference table to match equivalents, and shows you the one distinction worth paying attention to before you buy.
This covers the small 1.5V button cells (the LR and SR families). If you are after a 3V lithium coin cell like a CR2032 for a car key or remote, see our coin cell battery guide instead, that is a different beast.
Why one battery has half a dozen names
There is no single global label for these cells. Three naming systems are in circulation at once, which is the whole source of the confusion:
- The IEC code (LR44, SR41, and so on) is the proper international standard. It is the one to trust because the letters actually tell you the chemistry and voltage.
- The generic AG code (AG1 to AG13) turns up on imported and unbranded cells. It maps to a size but says nothing about chemistry.
- The numeric codes (357, 389, 192, 1154) come from manufacturer and silver-oxide systems. The same physical size can carry several of these numbers.
Start with the first letter
The IEC code is readable once you know that the first letter is the chemistry, and the chemistry sets the voltage:
| Prefix | Chemistry | Voltage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LR | Alkaline | 1.5V | Cheap, fine for low-drain toys, calculators, small remotes |
| SR | Silver oxide | 1.55V | Steady voltage and longer life: watches, calipers, medical, laser pointers |
| CR | Lithium | 3V | Coin cells for key fobs, remotes, motherboards (a different size class) |
The R just means round. So LR44 is an alkaline round cell, SR44 is the silver-oxide version of the same size, and the two are physically interchangeable. The number after the letters identifies the size.
The cross-reference table
Here are the common 1.5V button cells with their aliases. Find any one code in a row and the rest of that row are its equivalents:
| Size (W x H) | Alkaline | Silver oxide | Generic AG | Other common codes | Often found in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.6 x 5.4 mm | LR44 | SR44 | AG13 | A76, L1154, 357, 303 | Calipers, laser pointers, glucometers, toys |
| 11.6 x 4.2 mm | LR43 | SR43 | AG12 | 186, 386, 301, 1142 | Watches, medical devices |
| 11.6 x 3.1 mm | LR54 / LR1130 | SR54 / SR1130 | AG10 | 189, 389, 390, L1131 | Watches, calculators, small toys |
| 7.9 x 3.6 mm | LR41 | SR41 | AG3 | 192, 384, 392, L736 | Thermometers, small watches |
| 6.8 x 2.6 mm | LR626 | SR626 | AG4 | 377, 177 | Watches |
| 9.5 x 2.0 mm | LR920 | SR920 | AG6 | 370, 371 | Watches |
So to answer the question we started with: LR44, AG13, A76 and L1154 are all the same alkaline cell, and SR44 plus 357 are the silver-oxide version of that same size. They will all fit the same slot.
Why silver-oxide cells carry two numbers
You may notice some sizes list two silver-oxide numbers, for example 357 and 303 for the SR44 size, or 384 and 392 for the SR41 size. That is not a mistake. Silver-oxide cells come in two internal recipes:
- SW (high drain) uses a sodium hydroxide electrolyte, suited to devices with occasional bursts of current like an LED light or a laser pointer. SR44SW is the one labelled 357.
- W (low drain) uses a potassium hydroxide electrolyte, suited to steady tiny loads like a quartz watch. SR44W is the one labelled 303.
For almost all everyday use the two are interchangeable and you do not need to agonise over it; the distinction only matters for fussy precision instruments. The same pattern repeats across the range: SR41SW is 384, SR41W is 392, and so on.
Alkaline or silver oxide: which should you buy?
Because the LR and SR versions of a size are the same shape, you can use either. The practical differences:
- Silver oxide (SR) holds a near-flat 1.55V for almost its entire life, then drops off a cliff at the end. That stable voltage is why watches, digital calipers, glucometers and laser pointers specify it, and it lasts longer too. It costs a little more.
- Alkaline (LR) starts at 1.5V and sags gradually as it drains. It is cheaper and perfectly fine for low-drain, non-critical things like toys, calculators, novelty items and cheap thermometers.
Rule of thumb: if the device measures something precisely, fit silver oxide; if it just needs to light up or beep, alkaline is the value choice.
The mistake to avoid
The one error that actually causes problems is confusing these 1.5V button cells with 3V lithium coin cells. A CR2032 is not a substitute for an LR44 even if it looks vaguely similar, the voltage is double and the size is different. If your code starts with CR, you are in coin-cell territory, so head to the coin cell guide. If it starts with LR or SR, you are in the right place.
Buy button cells in Singapore
We stock genuine alkaline button cells covering the common sizes, our Panasonic 1.5V alkaline button cells include LR44, LR41, LR43 and LR54 with all their AG and numeric equivalents listed so you can match yours at a glance. See the wider range on the Alkaline Batteries page, all with fast local delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Is LR44 the same as AG13?
Yes. LR44, AG13, A76 and L1154 are all names for the same 11.6 x 5.4 mm alkaline 1.5V button cell. SR44 and 357 are the silver-oxide version of the same size and fit the same slot.
Is 357 the same as LR44?
Same size and they swap in and out of the same device, but 357 is the silver-oxide cell (SR44, 1.55V) while LR44 is the alkaline one (1.5V). For a watch or caliper, the 357 silver-oxide is the better pick; for a toy, LR44 is fine.
Can I use SR44 instead of LR44?
Yes. They are the same dimensions. The silver-oxide SR44 will give a steadier voltage and longer life, at slightly higher cost. Going the other way (LR44 in place of SR44) also works but suits low-drain devices better.
Are AG10, 189, LR54 and LR1130 the same battery?
Yes, all four name the same 11.6 x 3.1 mm alkaline cell. Its silver-oxide equivalent is SR54 / SR1130, sold as 389 or 390.
What does the W or SW on a silver cell mean?
It is the internal type: SW is high-drain (for bursts of current, e.g. SR44SW = 357) and W is low-drain (for steady tiny loads, e.g. SR44W = 303). For ordinary use either is fine.
