The CR2032 is the single most searched part in our discoverability set: about 23,000 US searches a month and 145,000 globally, more than any microcontroller on the list. And here is the twist that trips up a lot of search traffic: it is not a chip at all. It’s a battery. Specifically, a 3-volt lithium coin cell, 20 mm across and 3.2 mm thick, holding roughly 220 mAh.
Why is it searched more than any silicon part? Because it is everywhere. It is the little silver disc tucked into your PC motherboard that keeps the clock and BIOS settings alive, and the same cell powers car key fobs, glucose meters and other medical devices, fitness trackers and wearables, bathroom scales, garage remotes, and the IoT sensors multiplying in every building.
One cheap, standardized cell drops into thousands of unrelated designs, so engineers, makers, and buyers all reach for it constantly. That ubiquity is exactly why it tops the search charts.
Good news for anyone sourcing it: the CR2032 is a true commodity. Findchips lists it across 16 authorized and 15 independent distributors, with single-unit pricing from about $0.53 and bulk pricing dropping further. The question is never “can I get one,” instead it’s “who is cheapest and which brand or grade do I need.”
If you’re looking for CR2032 stock or pricing, See live CR2032 pricing and stock on Findchips. In the meantime, let’s dive deeper into this battery.
Quick Answers (FAQ)
What is a CR2032 battery and what is it used for?
The CR2032 is a 3-volt lithium coin cell, 20 mm in diameter and 3.2 mm thick, with about 220 mAh of capacity. The “CR” signals lithium chemistry and the “2032” encodes the size: 20 mm wide, 3.2 mm tall. It is used wherever a design needs a small, long-life, non-rechargeable power source — PC motherboards (to keep the real-time clock and BIOS alive), car key fobs, glucose meters and medical devices, fitness trackers, remote controls, and IoT sensors.
Findchips lists it across more than 30 distributors, making it one of the easiest parts in the world to buy. Check CR2032 on Findchips.
Where can I buy CR2032 coin cells cheaply in bulk?
The CR2032 is a commodity, stocked across 16 authorized and 15 independent distributors on Findchips, with single-unit pricing from about $0.53 and reel or bulk pricing falling further at the 1,000-piece break.
Because dozens of sources carry it, buy on price and brand preference rather than chasing stock. For medical or safety-critical designs, confirm the cell chemistry and certification rather than only the lowest unit cost. Compare bulk CR2032 pricing on Findchips.
Who makes the CR2032, and are the brands interchangeable?
Many major manufacturers make it, including Panasonic, Energizer, Murata (which absorbed Sony’s coin-cell line), Renata, Duracell, Varta, Maxell, FDK, and Rayovac. They share the same 3 V output and 20 x 3.2 mm form factor, so they are mechanically and electrically interchangeable.
Differences come down to rated capacity, shelf life, operating temperature range, and certifications. Murata and Renata are common choices for medical and industrial work, while Panasonic and Energizer dominate general use.See CR2032 manufacturers on Findchips.
How much does a CR2032 cost?
On Findchips, individual cells start around $0.53 to $0.76 at single quantity and drop at the 10, 25, and 1,000-piece breaks. A Panasonic CR-2032, for example, is listed near $0.76 at quantity 1 and about $0.68 at 25, with bulk and reel pricing pushing the per-cell cost lower still. Check current CR2032 price breaks on Findchips.
Is the CR2032 in stock right now?
Yes, abundantly. Findchips shows thousands of units across multiple distributors — several thousand each at Panasonic, Dantona, and Zeus Battery sources alone — spread over 31 total listings. There is effectively no supply risk; the only real decisions are package, brand, and quantity. Check live CR2032 stock on Findchips.
What is the difference between a CR2032 and a CR2025 or CR2016?
The first two digits are the diameter in millimeters (20) and the last two are the thickness in tenths of a millimeter. So a CR2032 is 3.2 mm thick, a CR2025 is 2.5 mm, and a CR2016 is 1.6 mm.
All three share the 20 mm diameter and 3 V output, but the thicker CR2032 holds the most charge (about 220 mAh) and lasts longest. They can be physically swappable in a holder, but use the cell your design specifies for correct battery life and contact pressure. Compare CR2032 options on Findchips.
Design Questions Engineers are Asking
What voltage and capacity does a CR2032 provide?
3 volts nominal and roughly 220 mAh. Its discharge curve is relatively flat, sitting near 3 V for most of its life before dropping off, which is handy for circuits that want a stable supply. Plan your brown-out or low-battery threshold around 2.0 V so the design flags a dying cell before it misbehaves.
How much current can a CR2032 deliver?
It is a low-drain cell, happiest at microamp-to-low-milliamp continuous draw. It does not love high pulse loads, so if your design fires a BLE or LoRa radio that draws tens of milliamps in bursts, add a bulk capacitor across the cell to supply the spike. Without it the voltage sags and the radio can brown out even though the battery has plenty of charge left.
What temperature range does it handle?
A standard CR2032 runs roughly -30 °C to +60 °C. Specialized high-temperature grades exist for automotive and industrial use (tire-pressure sensors, for instance), so check the manufacturer datasheet if the design sees a hot or cold environment.
Which holder should I use?
Pick a holder matched to 20 mm coin cells in either SMD or through-hole, and confirm its current rating and retention force for your environment. Findchips lists coin-cell holders alongside the cells, so you can source both in one place. Check CR2032 cells and holders on Findchips.
Sourcing Questions Buyers are Asking
What is the cheapest way to buy CR2032 in volume?
Compare across the 31 distributors Findchips aggregates rather than taking the first quote. Single-unit pricing starts near $0.53, and the real savings appear at the 1,000-piece break, where commodity OEM brands like Dantona and Zeus undercut the name brands. This is a price negotiation, not a stock hunt. Compare CR2032 price breaks on Findchips.
Should I pay up for a name brand?
For consumer and prototype work, the low-cost OEM cells are fine. For medical, automotive, or anything safety-related, the premium is worth it: Murata, Renata, Panasonic, and Energizer publish fuller datasheets, tighter capacity specs, and the certifications auditors look for. Match the brand to the stakes of the application.
What certifications and packaging rules apply?
Coin cells are covered by IEC 60086 and UL 1642, and many buyers also look for the manufacturer’s capacity and shelf-life data. Note that button-cell safety regulations have tightened: in the US, Reese’s Law now mandates child-resistant packaging and warning labels for products that use these batteries, because swallowed coin cells are a serious hazard. If you ship a finished product, confirm your packaging meets the current rules before launch.
Which Version Should you Buy?
These are the most commonly sourced CR2032 variants. As a rule, choose a low-cost OEM cell for consumer and prototype work and a premium brand for medical, automotive, or safety-critical designs.
| Part | Manufacturer | When to use | Check availability |
| CR-2032 | Panasonic | Industry default, deep stock, full datasheet | Check Panasonic CR-2032 |
| ECR2032 | Energizer | Consumer and retail standard | Check ECR2032 |
| CR2032 | Murata | Former Sony line, medical and industrial | Check Murata CR2032 |
| CR2032 | Renata | Swiss-made, high-reliability, medical and watch | Check Renata CR2032 |
| CR2032 | Dantona / Zeus | Low-cost bulk OEM for volume builds | Check OEM CR2032 |
The Data Snapshot
Search volume comes from the Ahrefs Google pull; stock and distributor counts were checked live on Findchips while writing this article and will move over time, so read them as a snapshot rather than a fixed number.
| Part | US volume | Global volume | What Findchips shows | Search |
| cr2032 | 23,000 | 145,000 | 16 authorized + 15 independent sources, from about $0.53, abundant stock, 3 V lithium coin cell | cr2032 |
If you check one part from this series, make it the battery everyone reaches for. Compare CR2032 stock and pricing on Findchips.