LR44 equivalents and direct replacements

An LR44 is a 1.5-volt alkaline button cell battery, and several other battery types carry the same voltage and fit the same space. The most common direct replacements are A76, AG13, and SR44. All three work in most devices that call for an LR44, though they differ in how long they last and what they cost.

The letter codes tell you the chemistry. LR44 means alkaline (L), round (R), and 44 is the size code. A76 and AG13 are also alkaline and the same physical size. SR44 is silver oxide, which holds voltage more steadily as it drains but costs more. If your device manual does not specify which type, alkaline (LR44, A76, or AG13) is the safer choice because silver oxide can damage some circuits designed for alkaline chemistry.

Physical fit is not the only thing that matters. The battery must deliver the right voltage at the right current for your device. Most button cell devices—watches, calculators, hearing aids, laser pointers, small toys—work with any of these three alkaline types. But some hearing aids and medical devices specify silver oxide only, so check your manual or the device itself before you buy.

Key Takeaways

  • LR44, A76, and AG13 are all 1.5-volt alkaline button cells that fit the same space and work in most LR44 devices.
  • SR44 is silver oxide, lasts longer, costs more, and should only be used if your device manual says silver oxide is safe.
  • The three-digit code on the battery tells you the chemistry and size, so reading the label on your old battery is the fastest way to find a match.
  • Some devices specify a particular type in the manual or printed on the battery compartment, so check before you substitute.
  • Alkaline button cells cost less per unit but drain faster than silver oxide, so your choice affects both price and how often you replace the battery.

Why LR44, A76, and AG13 are interchangeable

All three are alkaline chemistry and measure 11.6 millimeters across and 5.4 millimeters thick. They all deliver 1.5 volts when fresh. The different names exist because different manufacturers and regions use different labeling systems. LR44 is the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standard name. A76 is the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) name. AG13 is another common label, especially on batteries sold in Asia and Europe. A device that works with one will work with the others.

The reason to know all three names is that you might find one in stock when the others are not. If you walk into a pharmacy or hardware store looking for an LR44 and they do not have it, asking for an A76 or AG13 will often get you the same battery under a different label. Online retailers sometimes list them separately, so knowing the equivalents saves you a second search.

Silver oxide (SR44) and when to use it

Silver oxide batteries cost two to three times as much as alkaline button cells but last longer and hold their voltage more steadily. An SR44 will power a device for roughly twice as long as an LR44 in the same process. The voltage stays closer to 1.5 volts for most of the battery's life, then drops sharply at the end. Alkaline batteries drop voltage gradually from the start.

This matters in devices that are sensitive to voltage sag. Some hearing aids, medical monitors, and precision instruments specify silver oxide because the steady voltage keeps them working at full power until the battery dies. If you use an alkaline battery in a device designed for silver oxide, the device may work poorly before the battery is fully drained. The reverse problem—using silver oxide in an alkaline-only device—is rarer but can happen: some older circuits may not tolerate the slightly different discharge curve.

Check your device manual or the label inside the battery compartment. If it says SR44 or silver oxide, buy silver oxide. If it says LR44, A76, or alkaline, stick with alkaline. If the manual is lost and the compartment is blank, alkaline is the safer bet because most consumer devices are designed for it.

Reading the label on your old battery

The fastest way to find the right replacement is to look at the battery you are removing. The top or side will have a code printed on it. That code is your answer. If it says LR44, A76, or AG13, any of those three will work as a replacement. If it says SR44, buy silver oxide. If it says something else—like LR41, LR43, or LR45—those are different sizes and will not fit.

The code also tells you the chemistry. Codes starting with L are alkaline. Codes starting with S are silver oxide. Codes starting with Z are mercury oxide (now banned in most countries and not sold new). If you cannot read the old battery because it is corroded or the label is worn, measure the diameter and thickness with a ruler or caliper. LR44 and its equivalents are 11.6 mm wide and 5.4 mm thick. If your battery is a different size, you need a different code.

Cost and lifespan comparison

Alkaline button cells (LR44, A76, AG13) typically cost between 50 cents and $1.50 each when bought individually, and less per unit if you buy a pack of 10 or more. Silver oxide (SR44) costs $1 to $3 per battery. The price difference adds up if you replace batteries frequently, but the longer lifespan of silver oxide can offset the cost in devices you use every day.

How long each lasts depends on what draws power from it. A watch might run for a year on an LR44 and two years on an SR44. A hearing aid might drain an LR44 in a week but an SR44 in two weeks. A laser pointer or toy used occasionally might run for months on either type. Check the manual for your specific device to see what runtime the manufacturer claims, then do the math: if you replace an alkaline battery four times a year at $1 each, that is $4 per year. If you replace a silver oxide battery twice a year at $2 each, that is also $4 per year. The break-even point depends on your device and how often you use it.

Where to buy LR44 and equivalents

Pharmacies, supermarkets, and hardware stores stock button cell batteries in the checkout area or the battery aisle. Prices vary widely—a single battery at a pharmacy might cost $2, while a pack of 10 online costs $5 total. Online retailers like Amazon, eBay, and battery-specific sites usually offer the lowest per-unit cost if you buy in bulk. Specialty stores like hearing aid centers and watch repair shops often carry both alkaline and silver oxide types.

When you order online, read the listing carefully. Some sellers label the same battery under multiple names (LR44, A76, AG13) in the title but list only one in the description. Make sure the quantity matches what you think you are buying—a listing that says "10 pack" might actually be a single battery. Check the seller's return policy in case the battery does not work in your device.

What to do if your device does not work with the replacement

If you install a new LR44 equivalent and the device still does not work, the problem is usually not the battery type but the battery itself or the device. First, make sure the battery is inserted the right way—the flat side (positive terminal) should face up in most devices, but some are designed the opposite way. Check the diagram inside the battery compartment.

If the battery is in the right way and the device still does not work, try a different brand of the same type. A defective battery is rare but possible, especially if you bought a very cheap pack. If a second battery does not work, the device itself may be broken. If you are certain the battery type is correct and two different batteries do not work, the device likely needs repair or replacement rather than a new battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an SR44 silver oxide battery in a device that calls for an LR44?

Most of the time yes, but not always. Silver oxide delivers steady voltage, while alkaline voltage drops gradually. Devices designed for alkaline may work poorly with silver oxide, or not at all. Check your manual first. If it does not specify, alkaline is the safer choice.

Are LR44, A76, and AG13 really the same battery?

Yes. They are the same size, voltage, and chemistry. The different names come from different labeling standards used by different manufacturers and regions. Any device that works with one will work with the others.

How do I know which way to put the battery in?

Look inside the battery compartment for a diagram or the words + and −. The flat side of the battery is the positive terminal and should face the + symbol. If there is no diagram, the flat side usually faces up, but check before you assume.

What if I cannot find an LR44 in stock?

Ask for an A76 or AG13 instead—they are the same battery under different names. If your store does not stock any of the three, a pharmacy or online retailer will have them. Silver oxide (SR44) is not a substitute unless your manual says it is safe.

Do button cell batteries expire?

Alkaline and silver oxide button cells do not expire in the traditional sense, but they lose charge slowly over time if stored. A battery stored for five years will have less charge than a fresh one. Buy only what you need in the near term, and store batteries in a cool, dry place.