Home › Guides › CR2032 vs CR2025 vs CR2016: can you swap them?

CR2032 vs CR2025 vs CR2016: can you swap them?

The three 20 mm coin cells compared by thickness and capacity, and when swapping one for another causes trouble.

The short answer

All three are 3 V lithium coin cells, 20 mm across. The last two digits are the thickness in tenths of a millimetre: 3.2 mm, 2.5 mm and 1.6 mm.

Use the size printed on the battery you took out. A thinner cell can lose contact, and a thicker one may stop the case from closing.

Side by side

Capacity figures are typical values and vary by brand.

  • CR2032: 3.2 mm thick, about 225 mAh. The most common key fob cell.
  • CR2025: 2.5 mm thick, about 160 mAh.
  • CR2016: 1.6 mm thick, about 90 mAh. Some fobs stack two of them.

When a swap goes wrong

  • A CR2025 in a CR2032 slot can work at first, then cut out when the fob is knocked.
  • Even when it fits, the thinner cell holds less charge, so you will replace it sooner.
  • Forcing a CR2032 into a CR2025 slot can crack the case or bend the contacts.

Questions

Is CR2032 the same as DL2032 or ECR2032?

Yes. Those are brand names for the same 20 × 3.2 mm lithium cell.

Find your exact battery

Each vehicle page lists the battery size, opening steps and the manual it came from.

Look up my vehicle

More guides

Signs your key fob battery is dyingKey fob not working after a battery changeHow to get in and start your car with a dead key fobCoin battery safety at home

Last updated 2026-10-16. General advice; your owner's manual is the final word for your vehicle.