Battery Life Calculator

Calculate how long your battery will last based on capacity and power consumption

Battery & Device Specifications

Select your battery chemistry type
V
Nominal voltage of your battery
mAh
Capacity in milliampere-hours (mAh)
C
C-rating of your battery (1C = full discharge in 1 hour)

Device Power Consumption

mA
Average current drawn by your device
%
Efficiency of power delivery system (typically 80-90%)
How many identical devices are powered by the battery

Battery Type Reference

Type Typical Voltage Energy Density Self-Discharge
Lithium-Ion 3.6-3.7V 150-250 Wh/kg 1-2%/month
Lithium-Polymer 3.7V 130-200 Wh/kg 2-3%/month
NiMH 1.2V 60-120 Wh/kg 20-30%/month
NiCd 1.2V 40-60 Wh/kg 10%/month
Lead Acid 2.0V 30-50 Wh/kg 3-20%/month

Battery Life Results

Enter your battery and device specifications, then click Calculate to see results.

Battery Discharge Visualization

Optimization Recommendations

Calculate battery life to see personalized recommendations.

How This Calculator Works

This calculator estimates battery life based on battery capacity and power consumption. The core formula used is:

Battery Life (hours) = (Battery Capacity (mAh) × Battery Voltage (V) × Efficiency Factor × Depth of Discharge) ÷ (Device Power Consumption (W) × 1000)

For current-based calculations, the formula becomes:

Battery Life (hours) = (Battery Capacity (mAh) × Efficiency Factor × Depth of Discharge) ÷ (Current Consumption (mA) × Number of Devices)

Several factors affect battery life calculation:

  • Battery Chemistry: Different battery types have different discharge characteristics.
  • Temperature: Most batteries perform optimally at room temperature (20-25°C). Performance decreases at higher or lower temperatures.
  • Discharge Rate: Batteries typically provide less total energy when discharged at high rates.
  • Efficiency Factor: Accounts for energy losses in voltage regulators, converters, and wiring.
  • Self-Discharge: Batteries lose charge over time even when not in use.

For maximum accuracy, refer to the specific battery's datasheet, as actual performance may vary based on manufacturing quality, age, and usage patterns.

This calculator provides estimates only. Always add a safety margin when designing battery-powered systems for critical applications.

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