AG13 is the commercial name for an LR44-size, 1.5-volt alkaline button cell; it is equivalent in size to LR44, A76, 76A, L1154, and 357/303, though the 357, 303, and SR44 are usually silver-oxide rather than alkaline.
For the full breakdown, see our best AG13 Battery Equivalent guide.
A drawer full of loose button cells all look alike, and the label on the old one rarely matches the label on the new pack. That mismatch is where most people get stuck: the cell fits, the device works for a week, then it dies early because the chemistry was wrong for the job. Matching an AG13 comes down to two separate questions: does the size match, and does the chemistry match what the device was built for.
Energizer identifies its A76 as IEC-LR44 and ANSI/NEDA 1166A, which is the cleanest way to see the naming system at work. The letters and numbers change by manufacturer and region, but they point at the same physical can.
What Markings Mean the Same Thing as AG13?
The AG13 label is one of roughly a dozen names for the same 11.6 mm × 5.4–5.5 mm alkaline cell, so a pack labeled LR44, A76, or L1154 is the same battery. Manufacturers and regions simply print different codes on the wrapper.
| Marking | What It Tells You | Chemistry |
|---|---|---|
| AG13, LR44, LR1154, L1154 | Common commercial and IEC designations for the same cell | Alkaline |
| A76, 76A, 1166A | Energizer’s model number; 1166A is the ANSI/NEDA code | Alkaline |
| G13A, GP76A, PX76A, V13GA, KA76 | Manufacturer and regional cross-reference markings | Alkaline |
| 357, 303, S303, S357 | Same size, often sold as a premium replacement | Silver oxide |
| SR44, SR44W, SR44SW | Silver-oxide equivalent of the same general size | Silver oxide |
| CR44 | Advertised as an equivalent, but “CR” normally means lithium | Verify before buying |
| AG14 / AG-14 | Appears on some cross-reference lists; not automatically interchangeable | Verify dimensions and manual |
One detail worth knowing before you buy a stack of them: a standard AG13 runs at 1.5 volts with about 150 mAh of capacity under Energizer’s test conditions, at a 7.5-kilohm continuous load down to 0.9 volts. Real-world capacity shifts with load, temperature, and how far the device drains the cell, which is why two packs with the same code can behave differently in the same gadget.
Is AG13 the Same as LR44 and 357?
AG13 and LR44 are the same alkaline cell, while 357, 303, and SR44 are the same size in silver-oxide chemistry. They will physically drop into the same compartment, but they do not behave identically once installed.
Silver-oxide cells hold a flatter voltage curve as they discharge, which matters in watches, precision instruments, and any device that misbehaves as voltage sags. Alkaline cells start strong and taper. In a cheap keychain light or a small toy, that difference is invisible. In a watch you want to keep running for a year, it is the whole point. The manufacturer’s specified chemistry always outranks a retailer’s “replacement” sticker — if the manual says SR44, an AG13 will fit but will not last.
Skip lithium coin cells that happen to share the diameter. Lithium chemistry brings different voltage, discharge behavior, and safety characteristics, and a near-match in millimeters is not a substitute. When you are weighing which specific pack to buy, this tested roundup of the best AG13 battery equivalent options ranks the current picks by chemistry and pack size.
How Do You Swap One In Safely?
Replacing an AG13 is a three-minute job as long as you match the cell count and orientation and keep the old cell out of reach of pets and kids. Button cells are small enough to be swallowed and can cause severe internal injury, so treat the swap as a small project, not a toss-in.
- Check the device manual for LR44, AG13, A76, or a stated equivalent, and note how many cells the compartment takes.
- Match diameter and thickness, and confirm positive and negative orientation from the markings or the manual diagram.
- Turn the device off and lift the old cell out without bending the contact tabs.
- Seat the new cell with the same polarity, replace the cover until it clicks or seats flush, and test the device — the display or light should come on at full strength.
- Recycle the old cell under your local rules, and never store loose button cells where they can touch metal, like a drawer of paper clips.
Two rules cover almost every mistake: never recharge, crush, heat, or short an AG13, and never mix an old cell with a new one in a multi-cell compartment. Mixed cells drain unevenly and can leak.
Common Questions
Can I use a 357 instead of an AG13?
Yes for size, with one caveat. A 357 is silver oxide, so it fits the same compartment but delivers a flatter voltage curve and usually longer service in watches and precision devices. If your manual specifies SR44 or 357, use that chemistry rather than an alkaline AG13, even though both fit.
Are AG13 batteries rechargeable?
No. AG13, LR44, and A76 alkaline cells are single-use and are not designed to be recharged. Putting one in a charger risks leakage, heat, and rupture. If a device needs a rechargeable coin cell, it will specify that chemistry and its own charging method in the manual.
Why did my replacement die so fast?
Most early failures trace to chemistry or load, not a defective cell. A silver-oxide device fed an alkaline AG13 will fade sooner, and high-drain gadgets drain any button cell quickly. Mixed old and new cells in a multi-cell compartment also cut life short.
Sources
- Energizer. “A76 Product Datasheet” Confirms IEC-LR44 and ANSI/NEDA 1166A designations, 1.5 V alkaline chemistry, 150 mAh capacity, and physical specifications.