Knowing how to tell what type of battery you have matters because a lot of batteries look the same, but the safety and recycling rules aren’t. Some chemistries are more sensitive to shorting, some require tighter handling, and mixing types is one of the fastest ways to create confusion (or worse, an incident).
In this guide, you’ll learn a quick, practical way to identify battery types using the label, shape, voltage, and device clues—plus exactly what to do when you can’t tell. And if you’re managing batteries at a business, school, or facility, EACR Inc. can help with battery recycling services, including scheduled service, and documentation so batteries don’t end up in random landfills. .
Quick Answer
The fastest way to identify a battery
- Read the label/code (best answer).
- Check size + shape (AA/AAA/C/D, coin, 9V “square,” packs).
- Check voltage (lithium primaries often 3V; alkaline AA are 1.5V; many rechargeables are 1.2V).
- Use the device clue (watch/remote vs tool vs laptop vs alarm panel).
If you can’t tell what it is
Treat it as unknown lithium for safety:
- Tape terminals (or bag separately).
- Store in a non-metal container.
- Keep away from heat, moisture, and metal clutter.
Step 1: Look for These Words and Codes
Chemistry keywords that tell you the type
- Li-ion / Lithium-ion / LiPo (rechargeable lithium)
- Lithium (could be primary lithium or rechargeable—check voltage + device)
- Alkaline
- NiMH
- NiCd
- Lead Acid / SLA / AGM / Gel (sealed lead-acid family)
Common letter/number codes you’ll actually see
- CR2032 / CR2025 = lithium coin cell (common)
- LR44 = alkaline button cell style
- 9V (the “square battery”) = usually alkaline, sometimes lithium variants exist
- 18650 / 21700 = common cylindrical lithium-ion cells (packs may hide them)
Step 2: Identify by Shape in 10 Seconds
Cylindrical household batteries
- AA / AAA / C / D
What to look for:
- 1.5V often alkaline
- 1.2V often NiMH rechargeable
- “Lithium” + 1.5V exists (primary lithium AA)
“Square battery” (what it’s called)
- The classic 9V battery
- Tip: treat 9V with extra respect—terminal-to-terminal contact is easy.
Button and coin cells (small but high-risk)
- Coin cells (CR series) and button cells (LR/SR styles)
- Practical note: these short easily and should be secured immediately.
Packs (the most common “unknown”)
- Phone/laptop power tool packs, e-bike batteries, UPS batteries
- Rule: if it’s a pack, assume it’s rechargeable and handle as higher-risk until identified.
Step 3: Rechargeable vs Non-Rechargeable
Quick signs it’s rechargeable
- The label says rechargeable, NiMH, Li-ion, or LiPo.
- It came out of a pack (tool battery, laptop battery, phone battery, UPS battery).
- It’s from anything that charges or docks regularly (cordless devices, scanners, handhelds, medical/IT gear).
Quick signs it’s non-rechargeable
- The label says alkaline or it’s clearly marketed as disposable.
- It’s powering low-drain everyday stuff like remotes, toys, flashlights, clocks.
- Smoke alarms vary (some use standard alkaline, some use sealed lithium packs) — check the label, don’t assume.
How Do You Know If a Battery Is Lithium?
The practical checklist
Label clue (best):
- It literally says Lithium, Li-ion, Lithium-ion, or LiPo.
Voltage clues (quick sanity check):
- 3V coin cells are commonly lithium (CR-series like CR2032).
- Many lithium-ion packs are labeled around 7.4V, 11.1V, 14.4V, 18V (varies by device and cell count).
Device clue (very reliable):
- Phones / laptops / power tools = usually lithium-ion.
- Key fobs / small electronics coin cells = often lithium.
When you’re unsure
Default to unknown lithium handling:
- Tape terminals,
- separate it,
- store it in a non-metal container.
Safe Handling While You Figure It Out
Terminal protection rules that prevent incidents
Tape terminals for:
- All lithium batteries (rechargeable or primary)
- Any battery over 9V
- Damaged/suspect batteries of any type (swollen, leaking, corroded, hot, burned smell)
Storage rules (simple and effective)
- Keep batteries cool, dry, stable.
- Don’t toss loose batteries into drawers, bags, toolboxes, or metal bins.
- Separate intact vs damaged/suspect immediately.
What to Do Next: Recycling Routes That Actually Work
Home / small quantities
- Use drop-off programs (confirm acceptance rules first).
- Store safely until drop-off day — don’t stockpile loose batteries.
Business / schools / facilities
A repeatable program looks like:
- labeled collection points (by chemistry if possible)
- clear sorting rules (and a default “unknown lithium” rule)
- scheduled service (so bins don’t sit forever)
- documentation (certificates of recycling)
Where EACR Inc. fits
- Can place e-waste containers at businesses, schools, and municipalities for consistent battery routing.
- Can support bulk pickups and (when available) electronics recycling events.
- Goal: fewer surprises, fewer incidents, cleaner tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Battery Identification
How can I tell what type of battery I have?
Read the label/code first, then use shape and voltage as backup. If you still can’t tell, treat it like unknown lithium (tape + separate + non-metal container).
How do I know if a battery is lithium?
Look for “Lithium,” “Li-ion,” or “LiPo” on the label. 3V coin cells (CR-series) are commonly lithium, and phones/laptops/tools are usually lithium-ion.
What are square batteries called?
Most people mean the 9V battery — the rectangular “square” style with snap terminals.
Can I mix different battery types together for recycling?
Avoid it. Mixing chemistries increases incident risk and makes processing harder. Sort by type when you can, and keep damaged batteries separate.
What should I do if I can’t identify the battery?
Handle it as unknown lithium: tape terminals, bag or separate, store in a non-metal container, and route through a controlled recycling program.
Conclusion
If you want to know how to tell what type of battery you have, keep it simple: read the label, use shape + voltage as backup, and treat unknowns like lithium until proven otherwise. The goal is boring and repeatable—separate types, tape terminals when needed, store safely, and route batteries through the right channel (not random bins).
If you’re a business, school, facility, or municipality managing battery volume, EACR Inc. can set up a repeatable battery recycling program with clear sorting guidance, scheduled service, and documentation—so batteries don’t get stockpiled, mixed, or mishandled.
