Grab three coin cells labeled CR2032, CR2025 and CR2016 and they look almost identical — same silver disc, same 20 mm width, same 3 volts stamped on top. That resemblance is exactly why buyers order the wrong one, and why a device that “takes a CR2032” sometimes ships with a cell that rattles loose or dies in half the expected time. Here is what actually separates them.
The number tells you the size
The CR coin-cell code is not random. CR means lithium manganese dioxide chemistry (3 V). The first two digits are the diameter in millimetres; the last two are the height in tenths of a millimetre:
- CR2032 — 20 mm diameter, 3.2 mm tall
- CR2025 — 20 mm diameter, 2.5 mm tall
- CR2016 — 20 mm diameter, 1.6 mm tall
All three share the same 20 mm footprint. The only physical difference is thickness — and thickness is what determines how much lithium fits inside, which is why capacity falls sharply as you go down the list.
| Model | Diameter × Height | Typical capacity | Voltage | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR2032 | 20 × 3.2 mm | 210–235 mAh | 3 V | Motherboards, car key fobs, glucose meters |
| CR2025 | 20 × 2.5 mm | 150–170 mAh | 3 V | Key fobs, calculators, LED lights |
| CR2016 | 20 × 1.6 mm | 85–90 mAh | 3 V | Slim remotes, fitness bands, small toys |
A CR2032 holds roughly 2.5× the capacity of a CR2016 in the same diameter — the whole difference is that extra millimetre and a half of height.
Can you swap one for another?
Because all three deliver 3 V, the short answer is “electrically, yes.” The practical answer depends on the holder:
- Putting a thinner cell in a thicker slot (e.g. a CR2016 where a CR2032 belongs): it may not reach both contacts, leading to intermittent power or no power at all. Some people stack two CR2016 to equal one CR2032 — a field fix, not a recommendation.
- Putting a thicker cell in a thinner slot (a CR2032 where a CR2016 belongs): it usually will not fit, and forcing it can bend the contact or crack the housing.
- Runtime: even when a thinner cell fits, expect proportionally shorter life. Swapping a CR2032 device to CR2016 can cut runtime by more than half.
The safe rule for any device or new product design: match the exact model the holder is rated for, and size the holder to the runtime you need rather than swapping cells later.
Which one should you specify?
For a new product, work backwards from runtime and thickness budget. Choose CR2032 when you want the longest life and have 3.2 mm of vertical space — it is the default for anything that must run for years on a single cell. Drop to CR2025 or CR2016 only when the enclosure is genuinely too thin for a CR2032, and accept the shorter service interval that comes with it.
Frequently asked questions
Are CR2032 and CR2025 interchangeable?
They share the same diameter and 3 V output, so a CR2025 will usually seat in a CR2032 holder, but with roughly 30% less capacity and shorter runtime. A CR2032 is too thick to fit a CR2025-only holder.
Is a CR2032 the same as a CR2016?
No. Both are 20 mm wide and 3 V, but the CR2032 is twice as thick (3.2 mm vs 1.6 mm) and holds roughly 2.5× the capacity. Two CR2016 stacked equal one CR2032 in height.
Do these coin cells expire?
Lithium coin cells have a very low self-discharge and a shelf life of up to 10 years when stored cool and dry, so date-of-manufacture matters far less than for alkaline cells.
Bulk & OEM supply
JBWCELL manufactures the full CR coin-cell range — including CR2032, CR2025, CR2016, CR2450 and CR1220 — with solder-tab and pin options for PCB assembly. Browse the 3V CR series and the wider lithium button cell range, or request a datasheet and quote for bulk and private-label orders.
