CR123 vs CR123A
Two designations for one 3 V single-use lithium cell at 17 × 34.5 mm. CR123A superseded CR123 and is what is sold today.
Last reviewed
The same battery. CR123A is the proper designation for this 3 volt single-use lithium cell, and CR123 is the shorthand everyone uses for it — in manuals, in listings and in conversation. There is no separate CR123 product to buy. If your device asks for a CR123, a CR123A is what it means.
- Verdict:
- The same cell — CR123A is the current designation
- Interchangeable:
- yes — the same cell under two codes
Side-by-side specifications
| Specification | CR123 | CR123A |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Lithium | Lithium |
| Type | Cylindrical | Cylindrical |
| Nominal voltage | 3 V | 3 V |
| Diameter | 17 mm | 17 mm |
| Height | 34.5 mm | 34.5 mm |
| Typical capacity | 1300–1500 mAh | 1400–1600 mAh |
| Rechargeable | No | No |
| Also sold as | CR17345, 123 | CR17345, DL123A, EL123A, 123 |
Size comparison
Both cells share an identical 17 × 34.5 mm footprint, so physical fit is not the deciding factor here.
One cell, two ways of writing it
The standardised name is CR123A, catalogued under IEC as CR17345. CR123 is an abbreviation of it rather than a predecessor product — the two names have never described different cells.
What you will actually find
Retailers stock CR123A. A listing offering a plain CR123 is the same cell described loosely, and the specification printed on the cell itself will read CR123A.
Neither is rechargeable
Both are primary lithium cells. The rechargeable cell in this shape is the 16340, sold as RCR123A, and it runs at a higher voltage.
Where the short form persists
Older camera manuals, security equipment documentation and a good deal of casual writing use CR123. The cell in the shop will read CR123A, and it is the correct part. Nothing has changed but the completeness of the name.
The codes that do matter
What is worth distinguishing is CR123A from 16340 and from any cell marked rechargeable. Those are genuinely different products in the same footprint at a higher voltage. The CR123 / CR123A distinction is noise by comparison.
Check the date, not the name
Since these cells are bought for equipment that sits unused, the useful thing on the packet is the expiry date rather than the code. A primary lithium cell holds most of its charge for ten years, but only if it was fresh when you bought it.
Can I use a CR123A instead of a CR123?
Yes. The CR123 and the CR123A are the same cell — 17 × 34.5 mm, 3 V, lithium. The two codes come from different naming schemes, not from different batteries, so whichever you find on the shelf will work.
Check before you swap. Batteries with similar dimensions are not always interchangeable. Always verify voltage, chemistry and the requirements printed in your device manual before fitting a replacement.
CR123 vs CR123A: common questions
Is the CR123A a direct replacement for the CR123?
The same battery. CR123A is the proper designation for this 3 volt single-use lithium cell, and CR123 is the shorthand everyone uses for it — in manuals, in listings and in conversation. There is no separate CR123 product to buy. If your device asks for a CR123, a CR123A is what it means.
What is the difference between the CR123 and the CR123A?
Two designations for one 3 V single-use lithium cell at 17 × 34.5 mm. CR123A superseded CR123 and is what is sold today. In short: the same cell — CR123A is the current designation.
Are the CR123 and the CR123A the same size?
Yes. Both measure 17 × 34.5 mm, so either fits where the other does. Whether they are interchangeable is an electrical question, not a physical one.
Which lasts longer, the CR123 or the CR123A?
The CR123A. It is rated at 1400–1600 mAh against 1300–1500 mAh for the CR123 — roughly 1.1× the capacity, though real runtime depends on how much current your device draws.
Background reading
The wider questions behind these two codes.