What are the international standard designations for AA batteries?

2025-09-03 17:24:54

The international standard designations for AA batteries follow the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) classification system, officially designated as LR6 (alkaline) and HR6 (rechargeable nickel-metal hydride).

The "L" in LR6 represents the alkaline chemistry, while "R6" corresponds to the standard cylindrical battery dimensions (14.5mm diameter, 50.5mm height). This designation is widely used in global battery production and trade to ensure compatibility across brands and regions.

The "H" in HR6 represents the nickel-metal hydride chemistry, which also follows IEC dimensional specifications. Because nickel-metal hydride batteries are rechargeable, they are distinguished from disposable alkaline batteries by the "H" designation for easier identification. In addition, ANSI (American National Standards Institute) codes AA batteries as ‌15A‌ (alkaline) and ‌15H‌ (nickel-metal hydride), but the IEC standard (LR6/HR6) is more commonly used in the international market and has become the common technical language in the industry.