LR44 vs 357
Identical 11.6 × 5.4 mm cells with different chemistry: the 357 is silver oxide at 1.55 V, the LR44 alkaline at 1.5 V with roughly 30% less capacity.
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Both are the same size, so both will physically fit. The difference is what is inside. The 357 is silver oxide: it holds a steady 1.55 volts almost until the moment it dies, and stores more energy. The LR44 is alkaline at 1.5 volts and fades gradually from the first day. For a watch, a light meter or a pair of callipers, buy the 357. For a toy, a calculator or a thermometer, the LR44 is cheaper and perfectly fine.
- Verdict:
- 357 for watches and meters, LR44 for everything cheap
- Interchangeable:
- usually, in low-drain devices
Side-by-side specifications
| Specification | LR44 | 357 |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Alkaline | Silver Oxide |
| Type | Button Cell | Button Cell |
| Nominal voltage | 1.5 V | 1.55 V |
| Diameter | 11.6 mm | 11.6 mm |
| Height | 5.4 mm | 5.4 mm |
| Typical capacity | 110–130 mAh | 150–190 mAh |
| Rechargeable | No | No |
| Also sold as | AG13, A76, L1154, 157 | SR44W, SR44, V357, SG13 |
Size comparison
Both cells share an identical 11.6 × 5.4 mm footprint, so physical fit is not the deciding factor here.
Chemistry
Silver oxide against alkaline. The 357 holds a near-flat 1.55 V until it is spent; the LR44 starts at 1.5 V and sags steadily, which drifts the readings on anything calibrated.
Runtime
150–190 mAh against 110–130 mAh — and the silver oxide cell delivers more of that at a usable voltage rather than trailing off.
Cost
The LR44 costs a fraction as much. In a device you open twice a year, the price gap usually matters more than the performance gap.
The same argument as LR44 against SR44
357 is a retail number for the silver oxide SR44, so this comparison is the alkaline-against-silver-oxide question wearing a different label. If you have read the LR44 against SR44 page, the conclusion here is identical.
Where the 357 is specified by name
Camera light meters, watch movements and calipers tend to name the 357 rather than the SR44 because the trade number is what the watch industry has always used. A manual asking for a 357 and a shelf stocked with SR44 is not a mismatch.
Cost over the life of the device
A 357 costs several times an LR44 and lasts around half again as long, so on pure energy the alkaline cell wins. The silver oxide cell earns its price on the steadiness of its voltage, not on how long it runs, and only in devices where that steadiness does something.
Can I use a 357 instead of an LR44?
Physically, yes — the 357 occupies exactly the same space as the LR44. The question is electrical: the 357 runs at 1.55 V against 1.5 V, and uses silver oxide rather than alkaline. For everyday low-drain devices such as toys, calculators and remotes, that difference is not usually a problem. For calibrated instruments, follow the manual.
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.
LR44 vs 357: common questions
Is the 357 a direct replacement for the LR44?
Both are the same size, so both will physically fit. The difference is what is inside. The 357 is silver oxide: it holds a steady 1.55 volts almost until the moment it dies, and stores more energy. The LR44 is alkaline at 1.5 volts and fades gradually from the first day. For a watch, a light meter or a pair of callipers, buy the 357. For a toy, a calculator or a thermometer, the LR44 is cheaper and perfectly fine.
What is the difference between the LR44 and the 357?
Identical 11.6 × 5.4 mm cells with different chemistry: the 357 is silver oxide at 1.55 V, the LR44 alkaline at 1.5 V with roughly 30% less capacity. In short: 357 for watches and meters, LR44 for everything cheap.
Are the LR44 and the 357 the same size?
Yes. Both measure 11.6 × 5.4 mm, so either fits where the other does. Whether they are interchangeable is an electrical question, not a physical one.
Which lasts longer, the LR44 or the 357?
The 357. It is rated at 150–190 mAh against 110–130 mAh for the LR44 — roughly 1.4× the capacity, though real runtime depends on how much current your device draws.
Background reading
The wider questions behind these two codes.
Mostly the same words — where it matters, coin means the thin 3 V ones
Silver oxide for precision, alkaline for price
Not alternatives — different voltages for different jobs
L is alkaline, S is silver oxide — the number after is the size