The Coin cell (or button cell) is a common type of battery used for smaller electronics such as car key fobs, small torches, calculators and much more. 

They are referred to as a coin due to their shape being round and being very slim just like a coin.

A CR2025 is a commonly used coin cell for many electronics mentioned above.

But, can you use a CR2032 instead of a CR2025?

Yes, you can use a CR2032 instead of a CR2025. Both batteries share the same voltage. However, the only concern is that the CR2032 is bigger  (in depth, not diameter) than the CR2025. So it all comes down to whether the battery compartment that holds the CR2025 can accommodate the CR2032 as well. This shall be discussed in more detail below.

What is the main difference between a CR2032 and a CR2025?

To better understand whether you can use a CR2032 instead of a CR2025, it will help to take a closer look at both the batteries and their differences. 

While both the batteries do share similarities, there are differences. 

These differences between the two batteries can be seen in the name of the battery.

Those letters and numbers aren’t just picked at random, but rather each representing a certain characteristic of the battery. 

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), was tasked with coming up with a code to represent the characteristics of the batteries. 

Let’s take a look at the letters and numbers of the CR2025.

The first letter C represents the chemical composition of the battery. 

In this instance Manganese Dioxide.

The next letter R represents the shape of the battery, which is Round. 

Now comes the numbers. 

The first pair of numbers (2,0) indicate the diameter (in millimeters) of the battery, which is 20mm.

The second pair of numbers (2,5) indicate the depth (in millimeters) of the battery, being 2.5mm.

So, straight off the bat if we look at the letters and numbers of both batteries we can see that the main difference is the depth of the batteries. 

The CR2032 battery has a depth of 3.2mm, whereas the CR2025 has a depth of 2.5mm making it bigger by 0.7mm.

When you can use a CR2032 instead of a CR2025

As we just saw, the major difference between both the batteries is the depth. 

So, how can you use a CR2032 instead of a CR2025?

While not interchangeable all the time, there are certain instances where you might be able to swap the CR2025 for the CR2032. 

This all comes down to the physical dimension of the battery compartment used to house the CR2025. 

It would have been designed specifically for the depth and diameter of the CR2025. But, more often than not, the engineer would have designed it with some wiggle room. 

This means you should be able to use a CR2032 to replace a CR2025. 

Note, this might not be true for all CR2025 compartments. Some might not be able to accommodate a CR2032.

The only way to know is to try and see if it fits. 

Other factors to consider when using a CR2032 instead of a CR2025

The size of the battery is the major factor to take into consideration if you are swapping a CR2032 instead of a CR2032.

But, there are things to consider before doing so. 

Voltage

Electronic devices have a specified operating voltage that they are designed to work optimally under. This means you will have to choose a battery voltage that matches the operating voltage of the device you are using it for.

So, if you are using a CR2032 instead of a CR2025, the voltage of the CR2032 will need to be the same. 

Lucky for you, the voltages of both the batteries are the same which is 3 volts.

Current

Just like voltage, devices are rated for a certain amount of current that they draw under normal working conditions. 

Both the batteries supply the same amount of current of 0.2mA. 

Current capacity

Finally, the last factor to consider is current capacity. The capacity of a battery is the amount of total charge (current) it can hold. 

It is analogous to a glass and how much water it can hold.

The bigger the glass the more water (charge) it can hold and vice versa 

However, the chemical composition of a battery can also affect current capacity.

It doesn’t only come down to the physical dimension of the battery.

But, in this scenario, both the batteries share the same chemical composition so what determines the capacity is its size. 

Since the CR2032 is 0.7mm bigger than CR2025, it can hold more charge giving it a higher current capacity.

The CR2032’s capacity is 220mAh, whereas the CR2025’s capacity is 165mAh. 

Why would you use a CR2032 instead of a CR2025?

As you just saw, the CR2032 and CR2025 are almost identical except for two characteristics which are their size and current capacity. 

So, why would you want to use a CR2032 instead of CR2025?

There might be a couple reasons. 

The first being you might have just bought the wrong battery (hey, we’re all human after all). If you have no option of replacing them, fear not! As long as the CR2032 can fit the battery compartment you will be able to use it no problem.

Another reason for using a CR2032 might be a more conscious decision. You might need a battery that will last longer. 

Maybe you need those light up glasses for your next rave to last you through the night into the early morning! 

In this instance the CR2032 is a better option as it has more capacity.

However, if price is a concern of yours, the CR2025 is a better option as it is cheaper.

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