LR41 is a popular small size battery often used in watches, calculators, medial equipment, and other small power devices. Due to their size and shape, we often call these batteries Button Cells. Due to their popularity, LR41 batteries are available from several manufacturers. Additionally, the chemical composition can also vary. With multiple brands and chemistries, you have the same type of battery under various labels. This often leads to confusion among buyers who are looking for a replacement. So, in this guide, we made a collection of all the popular labels that are perfectly compatible with LR41. If you want to know the equivalent of LR41 Battery, then continue reading this guide.
What is LR41 Battery?
LR41 is a small, alkaline button cell battery commonly used in electronic devices such as calculators, watches, and small toys. It is also known by other names, such as AG3, LR736, and 192.
The LR41 battery has a nominal voltage of 1.5 volts and a capacity of approximately 25 milliampere-hours (mAh). The battery is small and cylindrical in shape, with a diameter of 7.9 mm and a height (or thickness) of 3.6 mm.
LR41 batteries are commonly available in blister packs or on cards, and are widely used due to their small size and low cost. They are readily available in stores and online retailers that sell batteries.
What are the Technical Specifications of LR41 Battery?
The technical specifications of an LR41 battery are as follows:
- Chemistry: Alkaline
- Nominal Voltage: 1.5 volts
- Capacity: Approximately 25 milliampere-hours (mAh)
- Diameter: 7.9 mm
- Height: 3.6 mm
- Weight: Approximately 0.63 grams
- Operating Temperature Range: -10°C to 60°C
- Shelf Life: Approximately 2-3 years
LR41 batteries are considered low-drain batteries, which means they are designed for devices that require a low amount of power. They have a relatively small capacity compared to other types of batteries, which means they may need to be replaced more frequently. However, they are a popular choice for small electronic devices due to their compact size and low cost.
Where Do We Use LR41 Batteries?
LR41 batteries are used in a wide range of small electronic devices that require a compact and reliable power source. Some common applications for LR41 batteries include:
- Calculators and other small electronic devices
- Watches, clocks, and timers
- Remote controls for small electronics
- Small LED flashlights and keychain lights
- Digital thermometers and other medical devices
- Small toys and games
- Laser pointers
- Hearing aids
- Electronic car key fobs and garage door openers
- Small cameras and other photographic equipment
LR41 batteries are particularly useful in devices where space is limited and a compact power source is required. Due to their small size and high availability, they are a popular choice for many manufacturers of small electronic devices.
Chemical Composition of LR41 Battery
The LR41 battery is an alkaline battery that uses a chemical reaction to produce electrical energy. The battery consists of several components, including:
- An anode (negative electrode) made of zinc
- A cathode (positive electrode) made of manganese dioxide and graphite
- An electrolyte, which is typically a potassium hydroxide solution
During use, the chemical reaction between the zinc anode and the electrolyte produces electrons and zinc oxide. At the same time, the manganese dioxide cathode and the electrolyte react to form water and manganese oxide.
These reactions generate an electrical potential difference between the anode and cathode, which creates a flow of electrical current that can power a device.
The specific chemical reactions that occur in the LR41 battery can be represented by the following equations:
- Anode: Zn + 2OH- → ZnO + H2O + 2e-
- Cathode: 2MnO2 + H2O + 2e- → Mn2O3 + 2OH-
- Overall Reaction: 2MnO2 + Zn + 2OH- → ZnO + Mn2O3 + H2O
The LR41 battery is a disposable battery, which means that it is not designed to be recharged or reused after its energy has been depleted. Instead, it should be properly disposed of and replaced with a new battery when needed.
Types of LR41 Batteries
LR41 batteries are a type of alkaline button cell battery that is commonly used in small electronic devices such as calculators, watches, and toys. There are several different types of LR41 batteries that vary in their chemical composition, voltage, and capacity. Some common types include:
- Alkaline LR41: These batteries are the most common type of LR41 battery and are composed of a zinc anode and manganese dioxide cathode. They have a nominal voltage of 1.5 volts and a capacity of approximately 25 milliampere-hours (mAh).
- Silver oxide LR41: These batteries are composed of a silver oxide cathode and a zinc anode. They have a nominal voltage of 1.55 volts and a higher capacity than alkaline LR41 batteries, typically around 35 mAh.
- Lithium LR41: These batteries are composed of a lithium anode and manganese dioxide cathode. They have a nominal voltage of 1.5 volts and a higher capacity than alkaline LR41 batteries, typically around 60 mAh. They are also lighter and have a longer shelf life than other types of LR41 batteries.
- Zinc Air 312: Unlike other battery types, the Zinc Air batteries use an external agent for the battery reaction. Specifically, Oxygen from the air reacts with the cathode to produce hydroxide ions. Zinc is the anode. The nominal voltage of Zinc Air batteries is 1.45 volts and the capacity is almost four times that of Silver Oxide counterparts (close to 180 mAh).
- Rechargeable 312: We also have rechargeable batteries in the LR41 category. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) type 312 Batteries have a nominal voltage of 1.2V and capacity of 25 mAh.
It is important to note that the specific characteristics of LR41 batteries may vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific product line. It is always recommended to use the battery recommended by the device manufacturer.
Equivalent of LR41 Battery
The LR41 battery is equivalent to several other battery types with similar specifications. Here are some common and popular equivalents of LR41 Battery.
SR41
SR41 is a type of button cell battery that is similar in size and voltage to the LR41. It is a silver oxide battery that has a longer operating life and higher cost than the LR41.
It is a small, non-rechargeable battery that is commonly used in electronic devices such as watches, calculators, and cameras.
The SR41 battery is a type of alkaline battery that uses an alkaline electrolyte to generate electrical energy. It is composed of the following chemical elements:
- Cathode: The cathode of the SR41 battery is typically made of manganese dioxide (MnO2) and graphite. The manganese dioxide serves as the oxidizing agent in the battery, while the graphite provides electrical conductivity.
- Anode: The anode of the SR41 battery is typically made of zinc (Zn). The zinc reacts with the electrolyte to produce zinc oxide (ZnO) and electrons.
- Electrolyte: The electrolyte in the SR41 battery is typically an alkaline potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. The electrolyte serves as a medium for the chemical reactions that produce electrical energy.
The chemical reaction that occurs in the SR41 battery produces a voltage of approximately 1.5 volts. As the battery discharges, the manganese dioxide cathode is gradually consumed and zinc oxide is formed at the anode.
It is important to note that the chemical composition of the SR41 battery may vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific product line.
AG3
AG3 is a common designation for a small alkaline button cell battery that has a diameter of 7.9 mm and a thickness of 3.6 mm. The AG3 battery typically has a nominal voltage of 1.5 volts and a capacity of around 25-40 milliampere-hours (mAh), depending on the manufacturer and specific product line.
AG3 batteries are commonly used in small electronic devices such as calculators, watches, remote controls, toys, and small LED lights. They are also used as replacement batteries for hearing aids, although they are not recommended for this purpose due to their short lifespan and potential compatibility issues.
It is important to note that the specific characteristics of AG3 batteries may vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific product line. It is always recommended to use the battery recommended by the device manufacturer.
Zinc Air 312
Zinc Air 312 is a specific type of battery commonly used in hearing aids. These batteries are air-activated and are composed of a zinc anode and manganese dioxide cathode. The battery is designed to be activated by removing a small sticker from the back of the battery, which allows air to enter the battery and react with the zinc to produce electrical energy.
Zinc Air 312 batteries have a nominal voltage of 1.45 volts and a capacity of around 180-200 milliampere-hours (mAh). They are known for their long lifespan, typically lasting between 3 to 10 days depending on the usage and the hearing aid settings. They are also lightweight and have a low self-discharge rate, making them ideal for use in small, portable devices.
It is important to note that Zinc Air 312 batteries are specifically designed for use in hearing aids and may not be compatible with other devices that require 312 batteries. It is recommended to check with the device manufacturer or a healthcare professional before using Zinc Air 312 batteries in other devices.
Rechargeable NiMH 312
You can also get 312 batteries as rechargeable types. These batteries are typically referred to as “312 rechargeable” or “312A rechargeable” batteries. They are usually composed of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) chemistry.
NiMH rechargeable 312 batteries have a nominal voltage of 1.2 volts and a capacity of around 30-35 milliampere-hours (mAh). They can be recharged hundreds of times and are environmentally friendly as they can be recycled.
SR41W
SR41W is a specific type of silver oxide button cell battery. It has a diameter of 7.9 mm and a thickness of 3.6 mm. SR41W batteries typically have a nominal voltage of 1.55 volts and a capacity of around 35-40 milliampere-hours (mAh).
They are commonly used in small electronic devices such as watches, calculators, and digital thermometers. They can also be used in cameras, small toys, and remote controls.
The “W” in SR41W indicates that the battery is designed for low-drain applications, meaning it is best suited for devices that require minimal power consumption.
392
392 is a silver oxide battery that is equivalent to the LR41. It has the same voltage and dimensions as the LR41. It has a diameter of 7.9 mm and a thickness of 3.6 mm.
The 392 batteries typically have a nominal voltage of 1.55 volts and a capacity of around 35-45 milliampere-hours (mAh). It is commonly used in small electronic devices such as watches, calculators, and digital thermometers. It can also be used in cameras, small toys, and remote controls.
Chart for Equivalent of LR41 Battery
The following chart consists of all the common equivalent batteries of the LR41 battery.
| Battery Chemistry | Common Batteries | Nominal Voltage | Nominal Capacity |
| Alkaline | LR41
AG3 LR736 |
1.5 volts | 25 to 30 mAh |
| Silver Oxide | SR41
SG3 SR736 392 |
1.2 volts | 35 to 45 mAh |
| Zinc Air | 312
PR41 |
1.45 volts | 180 to 200 mAh |
| Lithium | Lithium LR41 | 1.5 volts | 60 mAh |
| Rechargeable (NiMH) | Rechargeable 312 | 1.2 volts | 25 mAh |
All these batteries have the same physical dimensions of 7.9mm diameter and 3.6mm thickness.
Conclusion
With AA and AAA Batteries, you can easily find a replacement as they are very common and most manufacturers do not have respective labels. That’s not the case with LR41 Batteries, a common type small button cell.
Even though LR41 batteries are quite popular in watches, calculators, and other small electronics, different manufacturers market them under different labels. In addition to the labels, we also have different chemistries.
In this guide, we saw the basics of LR 41 Battery, its specifications, and chemical composition. After that, we saw some common and popular chemistries of LR41 batteries. Then, we listed out some battery labels that are equivalent of LR41 Battery.
We hope that this guide could help you understand the basics of LR41 Battery and get to know its equivalent options. If you feel we missed something or want us to add anything, do let us know in the comments section below. It will not only help us but also other readers.
