CR2025 VS CR2032 – The Main Differences Between The Batteries You Should Know !!
With the advent of modern technology and nano-sized storage devices, the same precision and innovations can be seen for the battery sizes no doubt . We have already witnessed the shrinking sizes of the basic power source i.e. batteries in many small electronics gadgets in today’s world .
Sometimes we indeed confuse to choose between the two industry-leading coin cells which are widely popular among consumers .
The two coin cell batteries i.e. the CR2025 and CR2032 can be used simply in any watch (digital or wrist), calculators, lazer pointers , toys, remotes, and many more electronic gadgets .
You may face difficulty in choosing among these two battery options , so no worries anymore. Here we’ll review the main differences between both in detail (in layman terms) in this CR2025 vs CR2032 post . Just relax and go ahead .
CR2025 VS CR2032 – The Main Differences !!
Though both the batteries can be used for the same purpose indeed , still there are some noticeable differences you may have to consider before buying a pack of these button cell batteries right away .
We will explore all the possible aspects here now i.e. the separate sections dealing with each of the differing points :
- Thickness and Dimensions
- Capacity
- Manufacturers
- Applications
- Naming Convention
All the above points and differing aspects will be covered now in detail . So just be patient and read further . Without wasting any further time , let’s explore the points now .
Round 1 Of CR2025 VS CR2032 – Thickness And Dimensions !!
The foremost and top differing point you will eventually notice (if you measure precisely) between the two coin cells is the thickness indeed . The CR2032 battery is more thicker (hence contain more capacity) than the CR2020 battery . The former is 3.2mm thick and the latter is 2.5mm thick.
As you notice that the difference is not so huge. But still this may be a deciding factor if you just want to use a more thicker C2032 battery in the same battery container used for CR2025 battery . With just 0.7mm of difference, for as long as either fits in the battery compartment, they can be used interchangeably .
Later here we’ll see that with this difference will lead to more storage reserve and capacity for the CR2032 battery . Moreover , both batteries are of same size i.e. same diameter (and circumference) i.e. 20mm . Just be careful while placing any of the two batteries interchangeably that you’re not putting a significant amount of force making it fit
Round 2 Of CR2025 VS CR2032 – Capacity And Voltage Ratings !!
As seen above the CR2032 battery is a bit thicker than the CR2025 cell battery , as a result the former can store more capacity and has a bit more shelve live . Further both have same voltage rating as 3 V .
The capacity of these batteries are generally termed as the mAh rating , this basically represents the Ampere rating (power) it can deliver which can be calculated based upon the internal resistance of the battery .
So more is the capacity (ability to store the initial charge) for the battery, more the battery will last longer (the battery will be discharged and can no longer be used thereafter). CR2025 will have slightly less storage reserve and will typically not last as long as a CR2032 variant. (the capacity aspect is highly variable based upon the usage behavior)
Note: Most coin cell batteries have a maximum recommended current drain between 3 to 5 mA . Also, the actual capacity can be determined for any battery based upon the current load applied to the battery (this will increase as time passes)
Further, both the batteries contain the same chemical composition i.e. Lithium and Manganese Dioxide composition. Also do keep in mind that use of a battery of significantly higher voltage than the equipment is designed for can cause permanent damage. (so you should not use a 3 V battery in place for 1.5 V devices for sure !!)
Check out the latest pricing of these little monsters here on Amazon !!
Round 3 Of CR2025 VS CR2032 – Manufacturers And Popular Brands !!
Both of these batteries have a rather similar manufacturer indeed . Most of these manufacturers based out of China , Japan, and Indonesia . Major brands include Duracell , Energizer , Amazon basics, Panasonic , Philips etc .
Also, the Duracell and Energizer branded button cells are sold for more premium than the local/less renowned brands. The cost ranges from 0.75$ to 2$ on the higher end per piece (depending upon the brand).

Further if you are a retail customer , you may just want to know about the storage life of these coin cells . So here we can say that the Duracell and Energizer cells have a storage life of 10 years and Amazon basics is around 7 years .
Round 4 Of CR2025 VS CR2032 – Applications In Real Life !!
As already discussed earlier , the coin button cells find their insane usage in the smart gadgets like the watches , calculators , smart keys , toys , smart remotes and many more fields that require power to enable smaller devices efficiently . But however the application pattern will slightly differ based upon the power and usage patterns indeed.
If you want more capacity like in case of the health care products like the heart rate scanners and monitors, hearing aids , pacemakers etc which requires more space and give more power indeed then the CR2032 cell is the option you should opt for . On the other hand , CR2025 can be used for toys , watch , remotes etc .
Check out the real-life reviews of the performances of these two batteries on Amazon !!
Round 5 Of CR2025 VS CR2032 – Naming !!
The last difference is their naming i.e. the way both are named based upon the dimensions . If you haven’t noticed this yet . Both start from the same initial letters as both are from the same family (Lithium cells) of the button coin cell . Then comes the digits which represent the dimensions simply .
The naming is given by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to these button cells based upon certain attributes .
So in CR2025 and CR2032 , after the letters we have digits as 2025 and 2032 . The first two digit shows the diameter dimension (i.e. 20mm). Thus both have same diameter i.e. 20mm . Now the last two digits represents the thickness . CR2025 and CR2032 is 2.5mm and 3.2mm thick respectively .
The two initial letters mainly represents the physical shape and composition i.e. ‘R‘ for the round shape and ‘C‘ for the ‘Lithium‘ composition .
Now lets cover the other important aspect of these two coin cells that you probably want to know right now .
CR2025 VS CR2032 Interchangeable – Is It Possible ?
Till now we have covered all the differing points between the two coin cells i.e. CR2025 and CR2032 in detail in the earlier sections . Now the big question is whether can we use both of these cells i.e. CR2025 and CR2032 interchangeably ? The answer is Yes .
You can anytime interchange any of the two coin cells and use it right away . Yes since both of these consists of the same dimensions , chemical composition , size , voltage rating attributes indeed . The only thing in which both these differs is the thickness and the capacity .
So a small work around you may try with the smaller CR2025 battery is that , just wrap the cell with a conducting material like an Aluminium foil to make it for the height as compared to the CR2032 cell . Since bot are of same diameter , the same battery compartment can easily accept both the variety with ease .