Knowledge

If your device calls for an LR1130 AG10 389 390 battery, you are holding the same small button cell under four of its many names, and choosing the right one is easy once you know the size. The LR1130 AG10 389 390 battery measures 11.6 by 3.0 millimeters and provides 1.5 volts, and it powers watches, calculators, and small electronics. In this complete guide we explain the LR1130 AG10 389 390 family, its cross-references, and how to choose and install the right cell.

LR1130 AG10 389 390: The Complete Guide

The complete guide to the LR1130 AG10 389 390 battery starts with the fact that all four names describe the same tiny button cell, which measures 11.6 millimeters across and 3.0 millimeters tall. The battery industry names this size differently depending on the standard and the chemistry, so the same physical cell appears as LR1130, AG10, 389, and 390. Understanding that these names point to one size is the key to buying the right battery.

The chemistry explains the different names. LR1130 and AG10 are alkaline versions of the cell, while 389 and 390 are silver-oxide versions, and the 390 generally offers slightly more capacity than the 389. All of them provide the same 1.5 volts and share the same footprint, so any of them fits a device designed for this button cell size. This guide covers the differences and how to choose between them.

Why One Cell Has So Many Names

The LR1130 size has many names because the battery industry never agreed on a single standard, and each region, standard body, and brand uses its own label. The IEC standard calls the alkaline version LR1130, the JIS standard calls it AG10, and the silver-oxide versions are numbered 389 and 390 by their makers. All of these labels refer to the same 11.6 by 3.0 millimeter cell, so a device manual may list any of them for the same battery.

What the Names Tell You

Each name carries a little information. The LR prefix marks an alkaline button cell in the IEC system, and the number describes the size, while AG10 is the industry code for the same alkaline cell, and 389 and 390 are silver-oxide versions with their own numbered designations. Knowing the pattern helps you recognize that a battery sold under any of these names will fit the same compartment and provide the same voltage.

Why Understanding the Family Saves Money

Understanding the family saves money because it lets you shop for the same cell under any of its names and compare prices across them. A store may stock the battery only as an AG10 or only as a 390, and knowing they are the same size means you can buy whichever is in stock and cheaper. Without that knowledge, a shopper might overpay for a specialty label when the identical cell sits on the shelf under another name.

What Are LR1130 AG10 389 390 Batteries?

The LR1130 AG10 389 390 batteries are small 1.5 volt button cells with a diameter of 11.6 millimeters and a height of 3.0 millimeters, and they power the compact devices that need a thin, reliable cell. They belong to the large family of button and coin cells, and their modest capacity suits the low-drain electronics found in watches, calculators, and small toys. Despite their size, these cells deliver a steady voltage over a long life in the right device.

The cells are built as flat discs with a positive terminal on the top face and the case acting as the negative, and they are installed with the positive side facing the marked direction in the device. Their chemistry stores energy through alkaline or silver-oxide reactions, with the silver-oxide versions offering steadier voltage and higher capacity. Understanding what the cell is helps you choose the version your device needs.

How a Button Cell Works

A button cell works like any battery, storing chemical energy and releasing it as a steady voltage, but it is shaped as a thin disc to fit flat compartments. The positive and negative layers are separated inside the sealed case, and the device draws a small current that the cell supplies until the chemicals are spent. The flat shape and the low drain of most button cell devices let the cell last for a year or more.

The Difference Between Alkaline and Silver-Oxide

Alkaline and silver-oxide button cells store energy through different chemical reactions, and the difference shows in the voltage curve and the capacity. An alkaline cell starts near 1.5 volts and falls gradually as it drains, while a silver-oxide cell holds its voltage nearly flat until it is almost empty, which is why watches run accurately on silver-oxide for the whole life of the cell. The alkaline cell costs less, and the silver-oxide cell performs better, and the choice depends on the device.

Why Small Devices Use This Size

Small devices use the LR1130 size because it is thin enough to fit in a watch case or a slim calculator, yet large enough to hold the capacity those devices need. A watch runs for a year or more on a cell of this size, and a calculator lasts even longer because it draws less. The size is a balance of thickness, capacity, and cost that suits the most common small electronics.

How Capacity Compares Between Chemistries

The capacity of the cell depends on its chemistry, because silver-oxide cells pack more energy into the same volume than alkaline cells. A silver-oxide 390 typically stores about 80 to 100 milliamp hours, while an alkaline LR1130 stores a little less, and the higher silver-oxide capacity translates into longer life in a watch. This is why the silver-oxide versions cost more, because they deliver more energy and steadier voltage from the same 11.6 millimeter disc.

LR1130 AG10 389 390 Cross-Reference

The cross-reference for LR1130 AG10 389 390 shows how the names map to the same size and to the two chemistries. The alkaline LR1130 and AG10 are identical cells under different naming systems, and the silver-oxide 389 and 390 share the same footprint while offering steadier voltage and, in the 390, higher capacity. The table below summarizes the names and their chemistries for easy comparison.

Reading the Cross-Reference

The cross-reference is read by size first and chemistry second. Any of the four names fits a device designed for the 11.6 by 3.0 millimeter cell, because the dimensions are identical, and all provide the same 1.5 volts. The only choice is chemistry, where the silver-oxide 389 and 390 offer steadier output than the alkaline LR1130 and AG10, which matters in devices that need precise voltage such as watches.

Other Names for the Same Cell

Beyond the four main names, the same cell appears under a few more labels, including LR54 and 189, which some brands use for the same alkaline and silver-oxide cells. These additional names confirm the same 11.6 by 3.0 millimeter size, and recognizing them helps when you meet a less common label. If the dimensions and voltage match, the battery fits, whatever the name.

How to Read the Cross-Reference in a Store

In a store, the cross-reference becomes a practical shopping tool. Look for any of the four names on the package, and confirm the printed dimensions are 11.6 by 3.0 millimeters and the voltage is 1.5, because the package always lists the size. If the store stocks the cell under one name but your device lists another, the dimensions and voltage on the package tell you it is the right battery, and you can buy it with confidence.

LR1130 AG10 389 390 Devices That Use Them

The devices that use an LR1130 AG10 389 390 battery are the small electronics that need a thin, steady power source. Analog watches are the most common users, followed by calculators, small toys, laser pointers, key fobs, and some medical devices such as small thermometers. All of these draw a low current that the button cell supplies for months or years.

Choosing the right chemistry matters most in a watch, because a watch keeps time accurately only while the voltage stays steady, and the silver-oxide versions hold their voltage flat until the cell is nearly empty. Calculators and toys draw more current and tolerate the alkaline cells well, and they last a long time on either chemistry. Knowing what the device needs helps you pick the best version of this common cell.

Watches and Timekeeping

Watches use the LR1130 size because it fits the slim case and provides steady power for accurate timekeeping. A quality silver-oxide cell keeps a watch running for one to two years while holding a flat voltage, so the watch stays accurate until the cell is nearly spent. When the watch stops or runs slow, replacing the cell with the same size restores it, and the silver-oxide version is the recommended choice for precision.

Signs Your Button Cell Is Running Low

A device powered by an LR1130 cell gives warning signs as the battery runs low. A watch runs slow or stops, a calculator display dims or flickers, and a remote or pointer becomes weak or intermittent. Because the drop is gradual, the signs can be subtle at first, but replacing the cell at the first sign of trouble keeps the device working and prevents the cell from leaking after it is fully drained.

Calculators, Toys, and Gadgets

Calculators, small toys, laser pointers, and similar gadgets draw a little more current than a watch, and they work well on either the alkaline or silver-oxide versions. An alkaline LR1130 or AG10 is the economical choice for these devices, while a silver-oxide 389 or 390 offers longer life and steadier voltage. Since all of them fit the same compartment, you can use whichever is available, and the device will run normally.

Key Fobs and Other Everyday Uses

Beyond watches and calculators, the LR1130 size appears in key fobs, small remote controls, LED gadgets, and some medical monitors, where its thin profile and modest capacity fit the device's compact design. These devices draw little current and run for a long time on a fresh cell, and the steady 1.5 volts keeps them working reliably. Checking the device manual or the old cell confirms the size, and any of the four names fits.

LR1130 AG10 389 390 Size and Voltage

The size and voltage of the LR1130 AG10 389 390 battery are fixed, and they are the two specifications that decide compatibility. The cell measures 11.6 millimeters in diameter and 3.0 millimeters in height, and it provides 1.5 volts, matching the majority of button cells. A device designed for this size accepts any of the four named versions, because the footprint and voltage are identical.

The dimensions matter because a cell that is too large will not fit the compartment, and one that is too small will rattle and lose contact. The voltage matters because a device is built for 1.5 volts, and a different voltage can make it run wrong or not at all. Checking these two numbers, rather than relying on the name alone, confirms that a battery is the correct replacement.

How to Measure a Button Cell

Measure the diameter across the flat face and the height of the edge with a caliper or ruler to confirm the size. An LR1130 cell reads about 11.6 millimeters across and 3.0 millimeters tall, and comparing those numbers with the compartment confirms the fit. If you are unsure of the battery you need, measuring the old cell gives the exact size to match.

Why the Height Is Part of the Fit

The height of the cell matters as much as the diameter, because a cell that is too tall bulges the compartment and a thin one loses contact. The LR1130's 3.0 millimeter height is what separates it from thinner button cells of a similar diameter, and it is printed on the package alongside the diameter. Checking both the diameter and the height of a replacement cell, rather than the diameter alone, ensures it seats properly in the device.

Why 1.5 Volts Is the Standard

The 1.5 volt standard is shared by most small button cells, including alkaline and silver-oxide versions, so a device built for 1.5 volts accepts any cell of the right size that delivers it. The steady 1.5 volts of a fresh cell is what the device's electronics expect, and it is why you must never replace a 1.5 volt cell with a 3 volt lithium cell of similar size. Matching the voltage protects the device from over-powering.

A Word About Similar Looking Cells

Several button cells look similar to the LR1130 but have different dimensions or voltages, and they are not interchangeable. A 3 volt lithium coin cell such as the CR2016 or CR2032 looks like a small disc but delivers double the voltage and will damage a device built for 1.5 volts, while nearby alkaline sizes such as the LR44 are larger and will not fit the compartment. Checking the printed size and voltage of the cell, rather than assuming from its appearance, prevents a costly mistake.

How to Choose Between LR1130 AG10 389 390

Choosing between LR1130 AG10 389 390 comes down to two decisions: which name to trust for the size, and which chemistry to buy. For the size, any of the four fits, because they are the same physical cell, so the name is not a compatibility issue. For the chemistry, choose the alkaline LR1130 or AG10 for economical general use, or the silver-oxide 389 or 390 for watches and devices that need steady voltage.

The practical rule is to match the chemistry to the device. A watch benefits from the silver-oxide versions because their voltage stays flat, while a calculator, toy, or pointer works perfectly on the cheaper alkaline cells. Within the silver-oxide pair, the 390 generally offers a little more capacity than the 389, making it the better choice when longer life matters.

The Chemistry Decision

Alkaline LR1130 and AG10 cells cost less and suit low to moderate drains, while silver-oxide 389 and 390 cells cost more but hold a flatter voltage and last longer in a watch. The flat voltage of silver-oxide keeps a watch accurate until the cell is nearly empty, which is why watchmakers recommend it, while the alkaline versions are fine for devices that tolerate a gradual voltage drop. If you are unsure, the silver-oxide 390 is the safest all-round choice for a watch.

A Simple Rule for Choosing

A simple rule settles most choices: if the device is a watch or anything that needs steady voltage for accuracy, choose a silver-oxide 389 or 390, and if it is a toy, calculator, or gadget where cost matters more, choose the alkaline LR1130 or AG10. Within either group, the four names fit the same compartment, so the choice is really about chemistry and budget rather than compatibility. Applying this rule makes every replacement quick and correct.

Buying Quality Brands

Whatever version you choose, buy from a reputable brand, because cheap button cells often hold less capacity and leak sooner. A quality alkaline or silver-oxide cell lasts longer and is less likely to corrode the device's contacts, and it delivers the rated capacity. Reading the package for the size and the chemistry, and choosing a known brand, gives the reliable replacement the device deserves.

Checking the Expiry Date Before You Buy

Button cells have a shelf life, so check the expiry date on the package before buying, and choose the freshest cell you can find. A cell stored for years loses capacity even before it is used, so a fresh cell lasts longer in the device. Buying from a store with good turnover, and checking the date on the package, ensures the new LR1130 cell delivers its full life rather than arriving already part spent.

Installing LR1130 AG10 389 390 Batteries

Installing an LR1130 AG10 389 390 battery is a simple job that takes a minute, and the key is polarity. Open the battery compartment, note which way the old cell sat, and remove it with a non-metallic tool. Place the new cell with the positive side facing the mark in the compartment, and close the cover, confirming the contacts touch the cell firmly.

Many compartments show a small plus sign that indicates which way the positive side faces, and matching the new cell to that mark ensures the device works. If the device does not power on, check the polarity first, because a reversed cell makes no contact. A clean, correct install gives the device a fresh start with the new battery.

Handling the Small Cell Carefully

Button cells are small and easy to drop, so work over a clear surface and use tweezers or a small tool to place the cell. Avoid touching the contacts with oily fingers, because grease can interrupt the connection, and wipe the cell with a dry cloth if needed. Handling the tiny cell carefully prevents losing it and keeps the contacts clean for a reliable connection.

What to Do When It Does Not Work

If the device still does not work after a correct install, check the polarity, clean the contacts, and confirm the cell is the right size and voltage. A tiny piece of plastic or debris under the cell can break the connection, so check the compartment for anything in the way. If everything is correct and the device still fails, the fault is in the device rather than the battery, and the cell is likely fine for another use.

Cleaning the Contacts for a Reliable Fit

Old batteries can leave residue on the contacts, and a clean contact is essential for the new cell to work. Rub the contact points gently with a soft cloth or a pencil eraser to remove tarnish, and make sure the compartment is dry before inserting the new cell. This short step prevents the most common cause of a device that fails right after a fresh battery is installed, and it takes only a few seconds.

LR1130 AG10 389 390 and Safety

The LR1130 AG10 389 390 battery is safe when used correctly, and the most important safety rule is to keep it away from small children. Button cells are a choking hazard, and a swallowed battery can cause serious internal injury, so store the cells out of reach and dispose of them promptly. This single rule is the most important safety point for any button cell.

The cells are also safe to handle and install, because their low voltage poses no shock risk, but they should not be shorted, heated, or forced into a device. Keep the cells dry, insert them with the correct polarity, and do not mix a new cell with a nearly spent one in devices that take two. Following these simple rules keeps the small battery safe for everyone.

Why Button Cells Are Dangerous to Children

A swallowed button cell can lodge in the throat or stomach and cause a chemical burn within hours, which makes them a serious hazard for small children. Because of this, button cells must be stored in childproof containers, kept out of reach, and disposed of promptly when spent. If a child swallows a battery, seek emergency care immediately, because the damage begins quickly.

Safe Disposal and Recycling

Dispose of spent button cells through a battery recycling program rather than in the trash, because they contain metals that should not go to landfill. Many stores and municipal centers collect button cells, and recycling recovers the valuable materials. Keeping old cells in a safe container until you can recycle them prevents both the environmental impact and the risk of a loose battery in the home.

Storing Spare Cells Safely

If you keep spare LR1130 cells, store them in their original packaging or in a small, clearly labeled container, out of the reach of children. Keep the package dry and at room temperature, away from metal objects that could short the terminals, because a button cell shorted by a coin or a key heats up quickly. A few simple storage habits keep the spare cells fresh and safe until you need them.

LR1130 AG10 389 390: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are seven of the most common questions about the LR1130 AG10 389 390 battery, answered with the knowledge from this guide.

Final Thoughts on LR1130 AG10 389 390

The LR1130 AG10 389 390 battery is one size with four names, and choosing the right one is now simple: any of the four fits the 11.6 by 3.0 millimeter compartment and provides 1.5 volts, so the name is not a compatibility question. Choose the alkaline LR1130 or AG10 for economical general use, or the silver-oxide 389 or 390 for watches that need steady voltage, and pick a quality brand for the longest life. Install the cell with the correct polarity, keep it away from small children, and recycle the spent battery properly. With this guide, replacing the LR1130 AG10 389 390 battery in any small device is an easy, confident job.

Keep a spare cell in a safe place, and the next replacement will take you under a minute to complete.

Knowing that the four names are one size saves money and confusion, and it turns every button cell replacement into a two-minute job that any owner can handle at home.

Keeping a spare cell in the drawer, stored safely and labeled clearly, means the next replacement is finished before the device is even put back together.