Battery Connector Guide

Not sure which connector your battery needs? Start here.

Every lithium battery needs the right plug. This guide shows the most common connectors for LiPo and Li-ion packs — by size, pin count, and current — so you can identify yours or pick the best one for a new design.

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How to read your connector

Three things tell you which connector you have

If you have a plug in hand but don't know its name, check these three things. Together they almost always identify the exact connector.

1

Pitch (pin spacing)

The gap between pin centers — from 1.0mm (tiny wearables) to 2.5mm+ (larger packs). Smaller pitch = smaller connector. This is the single most useful clue.

2

Pin count

2-pin = power only (+ and −). 3-pin = power plus an NTC temperature line. 4-pin and up = multi-cell with balance or sensing leads.

3

Current & size

Higher current needs thicker wire and a bigger connector. Wearables use SH/GH; phones & gadgets use PH/Molex 1.25; RC & power use XH, VH, XT60.

Connector finder

Answer 3 questions, get a shortlist

Pick what fits your product. We'll suggest the connectors that match — then scroll down to compare them in detail.

1 · How much space do you have?
Tiny / wearable
Small device
Medium pack
Large / high power
2 · What does the cable carry?
Power only (2-pin)
Power + NTC (3-pin)
Multi-cell balance (4P+)
3 · Roughly what current?
Low (<3A)
Medium (3–10A)
High (>10A)

Recommended connectors

Pick the options above to see matches.

Quick reference

All connectors at a glance

Sortable overview of the most common lithium-battery connectors. Full illustrated cards below.

ConnectorMakerPitchCircuitsWireTypical use
SH 1.0JST1.0 mm2–10 PAWG 28–32Ultra-compact wearables, IoT, sensors
GH 1.25JST1.25 mm2–15 PAWG 28–32Compact devices needing a positive lock
Molex 1.25 (51021)Molex1.25 mm2–15 PAWG 28–32The classic small LiPo connector
Molex 1.25 ultra-thin (51146)Molex1.25 mm2–5 PAWG 28–32Low-profile builds, thin enclosures
Molex 1.2 (78172 / WM4348)Molex1.2 mm2–3 PAWG 28–30Slim PCB power input
ACH 1.2 (ACHR-02V)JST1.2 mm2–3 PAWG 28–32Very limited space, PCB-to-LiPo
DF57 1.2Hirose1.2 mm2–8 PAWG 28–32Wearables, outdoor watches (e.g. Suunto)
ZH 1.5JST1.5 mm2–13 PAWG 26–32Small packs and PCBs needing 1.5mm
PH 2.0JST2.0 mm2–16 PAWG 24–28Small LiPo packs, 3C devices
PA 2.0JST2.0 mm2–16 PAWG 24–28RC, receivers, JR-style leads
Molex 2.0 (51005 / MX2.0)Molex2.0 mm2–15 PAWG 24–28RC air-to-air, model power leads
HY 2.0JST2.0 mm2–4 PAWG 24–28Battery PCB with locking clip
XH 2.54JST2.5 mm2–16 PAWG 22–26Larger packs, higher current
Molex 5264 (50-37)Molex2.5 mm2–12 PAWG 22–28Wire-to-board with friction lock
EH 2.5JST2.5 mm2–15 PAWG 22–28General wire-to-board power
VH 3.96JST3.96 mm2–10 PAWG 16–22High-current packs and power
Dupont 2.54 (DB)Dupont2.54 mm1–40 PAWG 22–28Prototyping, dev boards
RCY (SYP 2P)JST2.5 mm2 PAWG 22–26Model batteries, LED, finished plug pair
SM 2.5JST2.5 mm2–4 PAWG 22–26Detachable wire-to-wire, LED strips
5557 / 5559Molex4.2 mm2–24 PAWG 18–24High-current wire-to-wire (Mini-Fit)
5500 / 2510Generic2.54 mm2 PAWG 20–24Lighting, mains-style fixtures
XH 2.54 Balance (3–7P)JST2.5 mm3–7 PAWG 22–26LiPo balance leads (2S–6S)
PH 2.0 (3P NTC)JST2.0 mm3 PAWG 24–28Pack power + NTC temperature line
Molex 5264 (3P NTC)JST2.5 mm3 PAWG 22–28Pack power + thermistor
5P / 6P / 7P leadsMulti2.0–2.5 mm5–7 PAWG 22–28Multi-cell packs with sensing/balance
Group A

Wire-to-board (PCB) connectors

The most common type for lithium batteries — the plug mates with a header soldered to your board. Listed small pitch to large.

1.0mm

JST

SH 1.0

Smallest mainstream pitch — tightest spaces.

Pitch1.0 mm
Circuits2–10 P
WireAWG 28–32
Typical useUltra-compact wearables, IoT, sensors
Mating partBM02B-SRSS-TB
1.25mmLOCK

JST

GH 1.25

1.25mm with a secure locking clip.

Pitch1.25 mm
Circuits2–15 P
WireAWG 28–32
Typical useCompact devices needing a positive lock
Mating partBM02B-GHS-TBT
1.25mm

Molex

Molex 1.25 (51021)

Industry-standard 1.25mm (PicoBlade family).

Pitch1.25 mm
Circuits2–15 P
WireAWG 28–32
Typical useThe classic small LiPo connector
Mating part53047 / 53048 header
1.25mm

Molex

Molex 1.25 ultra-thin (51146)

Ultra-low-profile 1.25mm housing.

Pitch1.25 mm
Circuits2–5 P
WireAWG 28–32
Typical useLow-profile builds, thin enclosures
Mating partMX 1.25 header
1.2mm

Molex

Molex 1.2 (78172 / WM4348)

Compact 1.2mm wire-to-board.

Pitch1.2 mm
Circuits2–3 P
WireAWG 28–30
Typical useSlim PCB power input
Mating part78171 series
1.2mm

JST

ACH 1.2 (ACHR-02V)

One of the smallest JST wire-to-board.

Pitch1.2 mm
Circuits2–3 P
WireAWG 28–32
Typical useVery limited space, PCB-to-LiPo
Mating partBM02B-ACHSS
1.2mm

Hirose

DF57 1.2

Low-profile 1.2mm Hirose.

Pitch1.2 mm
Circuits2–8 P
WireAWG 28–32
Typical useWearables, outdoor watches (e.g. Suunto)
Mating partDF57H header
1.5mm

JST

ZH 1.5

Popular 1.5mm disconnectable crimp.

Pitch1.5 mm
Circuits2–13 P
WireAWG 26–32
Typical useSmall packs and PCBs needing 1.5mm
Mating partB2B-ZR / S2B-ZR
2.0mm

JST

PH 2.0

The most common LiPo connector.

Pitch2.0 mm
Circuits2–16 P
WireAWG 24–28
Typical useSmall LiPo packs, 3C devices
Mating partB2B-PH-K-S
2.0mmLOCK

JST

PA 2.0

2.0mm with locking, common in RC.

Pitch2.0 mm
Circuits2–16 P
WireAWG 24–28
Typical useRC, receivers, JR-style leads
Mating partB2B-PADSS
2.0mm

Molex

Molex 2.0 (51005 / MX2.0)

2.0mm Molex, popular in models.

Pitch2.0 mm
Circuits2–15 P
WireAWG 24–28
Typical useRC air-to-air, model power leads
Mating part53014 / 53015 header
2.0mmLOCK

JST

HY 2.0

2.0mm with positive clip lock.

Pitch2.0 mm
Circuits2–4 P
WireAWG 24–28
Typical useBattery PCB with locking clip
Mating partHY2.0 header
2.5mm

JST

XH 2.54

Higher-current 2.5mm workhorse.

Pitch2.5 mm
Circuits2–16 P
WireAWG 22–26
Typical useLarger packs, higher current
Mating partB2B-XH-A
2.5mmLOCK

Molex

Molex 5264 (50-37)

2.5mm with friction lock.

Pitch2.5 mm
Circuits2–12 P
WireAWG 22–28
Typical useWire-to-board with friction lock
Mating part5267 / 5268 header
2.5mm

JST

EH 2.5

Economical 2.5mm wire-to-board.

Pitch2.5 mm
Circuits2–15 P
WireAWG 22–28
Typical useGeneral wire-to-board power
Mating partB2B-EH-A
3.96mm

JST

VH 3.96

Large 3.96mm for high current.

Pitch3.96 mm
Circuits2–10 P
WireAWG 16–22
Typical useHigh-current packs and power
Mating partB2P-VH
2.54mm

Dupont

Dupont 2.54 (DB)

Universal 2.54mm prototyping.

Pitch2.54 mm
Circuits1–40 P
WireAWG 22–28
Typical usePrototyping, dev boards
Mating part2.54 header
Group B

Wire-to-wire & locking pairs

Finished male + female plug pairs that connect two cables directly — common for model batteries, LED and lighting.

2.5mmLOCK

JST

RCY (SYP 2P)

Red round wire-to-wire, locks together.

Pitch2.5 mm
Circuits2 P
WireAWG 22–26
Typical useModel batteries, LED, finished plug pair
Mating partSYR-02T / SYP-02T
2.5mmLOCK

JST

SM 2.5

Male+female wire-to-wire pair.

Pitch2.5 mm
Circuits2–4 P
WireAWG 22–26
Typical useDetachable wire-to-wire, LED strips
Mating partSMP / SMR housing
4.2mmLOCK

Molex

5557 / 5559

4.2mm Mini-Fit, high current.

Pitch4.2 mm
Circuits2–24 P
WireAWG 18–24
Typical useHigh-current wire-to-wire (Mini-Fit)
Mating part5557 / 5559 pair
2.54mmLOCK

Generic

5500 / 2510

Locking wire-to-wire pair.

Pitch2.54 mm
Circuits2 P
WireAWG 20–24
Typical useLighting, mains-style fixtures
Mating part5500 housing pair
Group D

Balance & multi-pin (NTC / sensing)

For multi-cell packs: extra pins carry balance leads, temperature (NTC), or cell-sensing lines alongside power.

2.5mmBALANCE

JST

XH 2.54 Balance (3–7P)

The standard balance-charge connector.

Pitch2.5 mm
Circuits3–7 P
WireAWG 22–26
Typical useLiPo balance leads (2S–6S)
Mating partB*B-XH-A
2.0mmBALANCE

JST

PH 2.0 (3P NTC)

2.0mm 3-pin with NTC sensing.

Pitch2.0 mm
Circuits3 P
WireAWG 24–28
Typical usePack power + NTC temperature line
Mating partB3B-PH-K-S
2.5mmBALANCE

JST

Molex 5264 (3P NTC)

2.5mm 3-pin with friction lock + NTC.

Pitch2.5 mm
Circuits3 P
WireAWG 22–28
Typical usePack power + thermistor
Mating part5267-03 header
2.5mmBALANCE

Multi

5P / 6P / 7P leads

Multi-pin packs with sensing lines.

Pitch2.0–2.5 mm
Circuits5–7 P
WireAWG 22–28
Typical useMulti-cell packs with sensing/balance
Mating partper series

Also available

Power, RC & interface connectors

Beyond board connectors, we also supply high-current RC/power plugs and device interfaces. Ask us for any not listed.

ConnectorMakerTypical useNote
XT30 / XT60AMASSRC / e-bike high-current powerBullet, 15A / 60A+
T-plug (Deans)GenericRC battery powerPolarized high-current
TamiyaTamiyaHobby / toy battery packsClassic RC pair
Banana 3.5/4mmGenericHigh-current test / RC ESCBullet connector
JR / FutabaJR/FutabaRC receiver / servo leads3-pin signal+power
DC 5.5/2.1 · 3.5/1.3GenericDC power input barrelCenter-positive barrel
GX16 aviationGenericE-bike, scooter powerScrew-lock 2–7P
USB / Type-CGenericCharging inputCharge cable
XLR (Cannon)GenericE-bike charge port, audio3-pin locking
Alligator clipGenericBench testingTest lead

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Send a photo of your plug, your battery, or your board header — our engineers will identify the connector and recommend the right cable, wire gauge, and length for your product.

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