A lantern battery is a rectangular, alkaline

Alkaline battery

Alkaline batteries are a type of primary batteries dependent upon the reaction between zinc and manganese dioxide . A rechargeable alkaline battery allows reuse of specially designed cells....

 or zinc-carbon

Zinc-carbon battery

A zinc–carbon dry cell or battery is packaged in a zinc can that serves as both a container and negative terminal. It was developed from the wet Leclanché cell . The positive terminal is a carbon rod surrounded by a mixture of manganese dioxide and carbon powder. The electrolyte used is a paste of...

 primary battery used primarily in flashlight

Flashlight

A flashlight is a hand-held electric-powered light source. Usually the light source is a small incandescent lightbulb or light-emitting diode...

s or lantern

Lantern

A lantern is a portable lighting device or mounted light fixture used to illuminate broad areas. Lanterns may also be used for signaling, as 'torches', or as general light sources outdoors . Low light level varieties are used for decoration. The term "lantern" is also used more generically to...

s. Lantern batteries are physically larger and consequently offer higher capacity than the more common torch batteries. Lantern batteries consist of multiple cells wired in series inside a housing.

The most common variant in the US is the 6 volt

Volt

The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...

 square base battery with spring terminals. In Europe the most common is the 4.5 volt flat-pack type.

6 Volt

The 6 volt variety typically has spring terminals or screw terminals. Different types have different internal construction; the same package size may be made up with "D

D battery

A D battery is a size of dry cell. A D cell is cylindrical with electrical contacts at each end; the positive end having a nub or bump...

" size or "F" size cells, giving different capacity.
A double size version (same size as two normal versions next to each other) exists for applications requiring more capacity.

In the UK and Australia, it is used in the construction industry for powering flashing lights at roadworks

Barrier board

Barrier boards are typically long plastic or wooden beams used during road works and similar activities to cordon off areas, close roads or direct traffic....

.
In Switzerland as of 2008, 6-volt lantern batteries accounted for 0.4% of primary battery sales.

4.5 Volt

More common in Europe and Russia, this is a smaller, flat-pack battery mostly used in flashlights. It uses two metal strips as terminals. The shorter strip is the + terminal.

This size of battery is sometimes found in disposable flashlights in the United States.

In Switzerland as of 2008, 4.5-volt lantern batteries accounted for 1% of primary battery sales.

7.5 Volt

The 7.5 volt version has screw terminals and rectangular base. A carrying handle is usually connected between the terminals.

12 Volt

The 12 volt version has screw terminals, and has a rectangular base. Since it is 12 volt, this type can be used to power car accessories

Cigar lighter receptacle

The cigarette lighter receptacle in an automobile, initially designed to power an electrically heated lighter, became a de-facto standard DC connector to supply electrical power for portable accessories used in or near an automobile...

 outside of an automobile, using extra wiring or an adapter.

Specifications and designations

Name	IEC International Electrotechnical Commission The International Electrotechnical Commission is a non-profit, non-governmental international standards organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies – collectively known as "electrotechnology"...  number	ANSI Ansi Ansi is a village in Kaarma Parish, Saare County, on the island of Saaremaa, Estonia.... /NEDA Neda Neda may refer to:Events* The death of Neda Agha-Soltan during the 2009 Iranian election protests** NedaNet, a project to protect the privacy of the protestors, named in her honor.People* Neda Arneric, Serbian actress...	Manufacturer designations	Capacity (Ah Ampere-hour An ampere-hour or amp-hour is a unit of electric charge, with sub-units milliampere-hour and milliampere second... )	Dimensions (mm)
4.5 Volt	3R12, 3LR12	3R12, 3LR12, 4.5v	G3LR12, 1289/AD28, 210, GP312S, MN1203, 3336	3 – 4.8	67 × 62 × 22
6 Volt, Spring fitting	4R25X, 4LR25X	908AC, 908C, 908CD, 908D	EN1209, EN529, MN908, EV90, EV90HP, GP908, PJ996	12 – 26	115 × 68.2 × 68.2
6 volt, Screw fitting	4R25Y, 4LR25Y	915A	EN528	26	109.5 × 66.7 × 66.7
6 Volt, double	4R25-2, 4LR25-2	918A	EN521, MN918, GP918S, GP918G, 918/1231	52	125.4 × 132.5 × 73
7.5 Volt	5LR25-2	903AC	EN715, PC903	43	97 × 184.2 × 103.2
12 Volt	8R25	926	EN732, PC926	7.5	125.4 × 136.5 × 73