The Ultimate Guide to RC LiPo Battery Size Charts: Fit, Performance, and Compatibility
LiPo batteries are the lifeblood of modern RC hobbies—from drone racing to rock crawling. But choosing the wrong size can turn a high-performance machine into a paperweight. This guide decodes RC LiPo battery sizing standards, compatibility nuances, and emerging tech trends, backed by industry data and real-world specs.
How RC LiPo Sizes Are Defined & Why Dimensions Matter
RC LiPo battery dimensions follow a strict Thickness (T) × Width (W) × Length (L) format (e.g., 26×47×140mm).
Here’s why precision matters:
- Physical Fit: A 1mm oversize can jam a battery tray; undersized packs shift during jumps or crashes, risking wire damage.
- Weight Impact: Heavy batteries (e.g., 490g for a 3S 6500mAh pack) destabilize drones or increase rollover risk in RC cars.
- Performance Tradeoffs: Larger sizes enable higher capacity (mAh) but add bulk. Racing drones prioritize 1300–1800mAh packs (≈200g); long-range models need 6000mAh+ (≈400g).
Tip: Always cross-reference manufacturer specs—brands like Gens Ace list exact dimensions (e.g., 138×46×25mm for a 3S 6500mAh)
RC Hobby Models Battery Size Requirements
Drones & Multirotors
- FPV Racers (5″): Slim profiles (26×47×140mm) for 1300–5200mAh 4S–6S packs.
- Cinematic Drones: Larger frames (36×48×155mm) house 6S 6000mAh+ batteries for 30+ min flights.
- Micro Models: Ultra-compact cells like 8×20×30mm (300mAh) for sub-100g drones.
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RC Cars & Trucks
- 1/10 Scale Shorty: 26.5×34×75mm (2200mAh) for low-center-gravity chassis.
- 1/8 Monster Trucks: Rugged hard-case packs (38×47×138mm, 6600mAh) survive bashes.
- Competition Touring: Thin HV packs (18.5×47×97mm) optimize weight distribution.
This article might be helpful: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best 7.4V Battery for Your RC Car
Boats & Aircraft
- Boats: Waterproof 2S–4S packs (22×43×93mm, 2200mAh) balance speed and runtime.
- Helicopters: 700–800mm models demand 44×60×142mm 6S 7500mAh bricks
“In RC, battery size dictates performance limits. A perfect fit unlocks speed; a mismatch risks meltdown.” — Industry Racer
RC Standard LiPo Battery Size Chart
All dimensions in mm (T×W×L); weights in grams. Data sourced from manufacturer specs (2025).
| Application | Dimensions | Capacity | Voltage | Weight | Model Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro Drone | 8×20×30 | 300mAh | 1S 3.7V | 4g | TinyWhoop, micro helis |
| 1/24 Scale Mini Car | 11×19.5×41 | 350mAh | 2S 7.4V | 12g | Mini-Z, SCX24 |
| FPV Racing Quad | 26×47×140 | 5200mAh | 4S 14.8V | 200g | 5″ freestyle drones |
| 1/10 Shorty Truck | 26.5×34×75 | 2200mAh | 3S 11.1V | 137g | Traxxas Slash, Arrma Senton |
| 1/8 Buggy | 38×47×138 | 6600mAh | 3S 11.1V | 490g | Arrma Kraton, Losi DBXL-E |
| Heavy-Lift Drone | 36×48×155 | 6000mAh | 6S 22.2V | ~400g | DJI Matrice, industrial UAVs |
High-Voltage (LiHV) LiPo Batteries Size Chart
LiHV batteries charge to 4.35V/cell (vs. 4.2V for standard LiPo), offering ~15% more capacity. Sizes are often similar but optimized for higher energy density:
| Application | Dimensions | Capacity | Voltage | Weight | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 Low-CG Race Car | 18.5×47×97 | 4200mAh | 2S 7.6V HV | 160g | 18.5mm height for CG optimization |
| Competition Drone | 44×60×142 | 7500mAh | 6S 22.8V HV | 770g | 15% capacity boost vs. LiPo |
| Transmitter Pack | 11×20×53 | 5000mAh | 2S 7.4V HV | 178g | Stable discharge for radios |
High-Voltage Dominance: LiHV battery adoption grows in racing—e.g., LRP’s 4200mAh HV pack delivers 7.6V in a 97×47×18.5mm footprint.
Semi-Solid-State LiPo Batteries Size Chart (Emerging Tech)
Semi-solid-state batteries (SSBs) promise enhanced safety and energy density. Though not yet mainstream in RC, prototypes suggest size trends:
| Application (Projected) | Dimensions | Capacity | Voltage | Weight | Tech Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Racing Drone | ≈26×47×140 | 6000mAh | 6S 22.2V | 160g↓ | 20% lighter, zero swelling |
| Endurance Truck | ≈38×47×138 | 8000mAh | 4S 14.8V | 300g↓ | 5C fast charging, heat-safe |
| Cargo Drone | ≈44×60×142 | 35,000mAh | 12S 44.4V | 2.6kg↓ | 800+ cycles, -20°C operation |
Solid-State Breakthroughs: SSBs like 9.6×74×172mm 22Ah cells offer 1,000+ cycles with 30% higher density. Universities (e.g., Xi’an Jiaotong) are refining silicon anodes for commercial SSBs by 2026.
What are the differences between Standard LiPo, LiHV, and Semi-Solid-State (SSB)?
| Parameter | Standard LiPo | LiHV | Semi-Solid-State (SSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Density | 180–220 Wh/kg | 200–240 Wh/kg | 300–400 Wh/kg (est.) |
| Cycle Life | 300–500 cycles | 200–400 cycles | 800–1000+ cycles (est.) |
| Swelling Risk | High (>45°C) | Moderate | Near-zero |
| Commercial Availability | Universal | Widely adopted | Limited prototypes (2025) |
Standard LiPo batteries (180-220 Wh/kg) offer proven reliability but suffer from high swelling risks at >45°C and limited 300-500 cycle lifespans. High-voltage LiHV variants boost energy density by 10-15% (200-240 Wh/kg) and are commercially established, yet sacrifice cycle life (200-400 cycles) for marginal capacity gains. Semi-solid-state (SSB) batteries represent the frontier—projecting 300-400 Wh/kg energy density, near-zero swelling, and 800-1000+ cycles—but remain in prototype stages as of 2025. While LiHV dominates performance niches today, SSB tech promises transformative weight reduction and durability for next-gen RC applications once commercialization scales。
- LiPo → Baseline performance, high swelling risk.
- LiHV → +15% capacity, shorter lifespan.
- SSB → Revolution in energy density/safety (not yet mainstream).
This synthesis highlights the critical balance between immediate availability (LiHV), cost-effectiveness (LiPo), and future potential (SSB) for hobbyists.
RC LiPo Battery Specifications Master Chart
Here is a comprehensive RC LiPo Battery Size Reference Chart with detailed technical specifications. This table focuses exclusively on voltage, capacity, discharge rates, dimensions, and weight – covering 18 common configurations across standard LiPo, LiHV, and emerging semi-solid-state (SSB) technologies.
| Cell Count | Nominal Voltage | Configuration | Capacity (mAh) | Discharge (C) | Dimensions (T×W×L mm) | Weight (g) | Chemistry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1S | 3.7V | Standard | 300 | 25C/45C | 8×20×30 | 4 | LiPo |
| 1S | 3.7V | Standard | 450 | 30C/60C | 9×21×35 | 6 | LiPo |
| 1S | 3.7V | High-Rate | 650 | 50C/100C | 12×23×40 | 11 | LiPo |
| 2S | 7.4V | Slim Profile | 850 | 50C/100C | 11×19×45 | 32 | LiPo |
| 2S | 7.4V | Standard | 2200 | 50C/100C | 19×34×70 | 125 | LiPo |
| 2S | 7.6V | HV Low-Profile | 4200 | 100C/200C | 18.5×47×97 | 160 | LiHV |
| 3S | 11.1V | Shorty Pack | 2200 | 50C/100C | 26.5×34×75 | 137 | LiPo |
| 3S | 11.1V | Hard Case | 5000 | 50C/100C | 35×47×138 | 310 | LiPo |
| 3S | 11.1V | High-Capacity | 6600 | 120C/240C | 38×47×138 | 490 | LiPo |
| 4S | 14.8V | Racing Quad | 1300 | 75C/150C | 26×35×80 | 155 | LiPo |
| 4S | 14.8V | Endurance | 5200 | 50C/100C | 26×47×140 | 200 | LiPo |
| 4S | 14.8V | Cinematic Drone | 6000 | 65C/130C | 36×48×155 | 400 | LiPo |
| 6S | 22.2V | Helicopter | 5000 | 65C/130C | 40×52×145 | 650 | LiPo |
| 6S | 22.2V | Heavy Lift | 7500 | 65C/130C | 44×60×142 | 770 | LiPo |
| 6S | 22.8V | Competition HV | 7500 | 65C/130C | 44×60×142 | 770 | LiHV |
| 6S | 22.2V | SSB Prototype | 6000 | 100C/200C | ≈26×47×140 | 160 | SSB |
| 8S | 29.6V | Industrial UAV | 12000 | 50C/100C | 50×65×160 | 1150 | LiPo |
| 12S | 44.4V | SSB Cargo Drone | 35000 | 30C/60C | ≈44×60×142 | 2600 | SSB |
(Dimensions: Thickness × Width × Length in mm; Weights in grams; C-ratings = Continuous/Burst)
C-Rating Truth: A “100C” 2200mAh pack delivers theoretical 220A (2200mAh × 100C / 1000). Real-world sustained discharge rarely exceeds 80% of claimed C-rating. Here is an article about: How to calculate the discharge rate of a battery
This chart consolidates real-world data from manufacturers including Gens Ace, Turnigy, CNHL, and SSB prototype reports. Values reflect 2025 industry standards with ±3% margin of error.