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Battery System

DL vs CR Battery: Is There Really Any Difference?

DL vs CR Battery
Last Updated on Aug 16, 2023 By Lillian Kazmierczak

Both a CR battery and a DL battery are flat, round, and look like silver buttons. Considering their similarities, do they work universally? Can they be interchanged?

Here we’ll answer these questions.

DL vs CR Battery: Is There Any Difference?

In the case of unfamiliar batteries, such as coin-type batteries, taking extra care is necessary to guarantee that the battery is the correct size and voltage. This will prevent you from purchasing it again. The CR2032 battery and the DL2032 are examples of this.

There is only a difference in the maker between the two batteries.

A CR battery is essentially the same as an AA or AAA battery, like a generic model. Most battery manufacturers use it. A battery maker called Duracell uses the DL designation instead.

Why does Duracell call their CR batteries DL while other manufacturers call the same batteries CR?

This change was likely motivated by a desire to differentiate their product from the competition. A high-capacity product like Duracell may be worth a little differentiation since it has a good reputation that the company wants to sustain. This isn’t easy when these types of batteries last for years without needing to be replaced.

In reality, this change causes confusion for consumers since they tend to look for exactly alike batteries. Still, they appear to be different with the names, but they are not.

Are DL and CR Batteries interchangeable?

As long as the numbers after the battery are the same, the DL and CR batteries are interchangeable. Based on that, you can replace a CR2032 battery with a DL2032 battery and the other way around.

What do the numbers mean in these batteries?

These numbers on the battery aren’t random; they describe its physical dimensions. Battery thickness is determined by the last two digits, and diameter is determined by the first two. So basically, the 2032 battery has a diameter of 20mm and a thickness of 3.2mm.

About the author

Lillian Kazmierczak

As far as I can remember, I would say I have been a car nut for my whole life. My father was a car dealer who used to change and repair his cars himself. This gave me the opportunity to get around all sorts of cars and get my hands dirty repairing vehicles from an early age.

A great fan of Japanese quality and German preciosity, my deep passion lies in older models that I believe have a flair that takes me back to my childhood! I also love their extraordinary durability and reliability when compared to today’s modern models.

When not out taking a ride, I enjoy socializing with fellow motorheads online and consuming any car facts and figures I can get my mind on!

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