Illustrative render of the Samsung ICR18650-26C cell✱ Render
Illustrative render generated from published specifications. Not a photograph of the actual cell.
18.4 × 65 mm · 47 g
18650NMC

Samsung ICR18650-26C

Samsung
Capacity2600 mAh9.62 Wh · 204.68 Wh/kg
Rated continuous5.2 A5.2A
Resistance9DC internal resistance
Voltage window3.7 V2.8 – 4.2 V
Standard charge1300 mA~2 h to full

At 2600 mAh, this ranks #39 of 169 18650 cells in our database. Mid-range for capacity among 18650 cells. More capacity than 78% of 18650 cells in our database. One of the higher-capacity options.

Full specifications

Electrical
ChemistryNMC
Nominal voltage3.7 V
Max charge voltage4.2 V
Discharge cutoff2.8 V
Max continuous discharge5.2A
Standard charge current1300 mA
Standard discharge current520mA
Internal resistance9 mΩ
Physical
Form factor18650
Dimensions18.4mm × 65mm
Weight47 g
Top typeFlat Top
ProtectedNo
Wrap colorPink
Insulator ringWhite
Performance
Capacity2600 mAh
Energy9.62 Wh
Specific energy204.68 Wh/kg
Energy density556.59 Wh/L
Power density (gravimetric)409 W/kg
Power density (volumetric)1,113 W/L
Operating Limits
Charge temp0°C to 45°C
Discharge temp-10°C to 60°C

At the standard 1300 mA charge rate, a full charge takes about 2 hours. The last bit is a slow taper to top it off.

Voltage operating window

Cutoff
2.8V
Nominal
3.7V
Max charge
4.2V

Usable range: 1.4V

C-rate conversion: Samsung ICR18650-26C (2600mAh)

C-RateCurrent (A)Theoretical runtime
0.2C0.52 A5h 00m
0.5C1.3 A2h 00m
1C2.6 A1h 00m
2C5.2 A30m

Highlighted row is closest to the rated 5.2A continuous discharge.

Charging

RateCurrentEstimated time
0.5C1,300 mA~2h 00m
1C2,600 mA~1h 00m

These are estimates for the constant-current phase. Real charge time is a bit longer because of the slow taper at the end.

Datasheet

Pack scaling

Series voltage configurations

ConfigNominal VMax VMin VCommon use
1S3.7V4.2V2.8VFlashlights, single-cell devices
2S7.4V8.4V5.6VRC vehicles, 7.2V packs
3S11.1V12.6V8.4VPower tools (10.8V nominal)
4S14.8V16.8V11.2VEbike (small), some power tools
7S25.9V29.4V19.6VEbike (24V system)
10S37V42V28VEbike (36V system)
13S48.1V54.6V36.4VEbike (48V standard)
14S51.8V58.8V39.2VEbike (52V high-power)
16S59.2V67.2V44.8VDIY powerwall

Parallel capacity scaling

ConfigCapacityEnergyMax discharge
1P2,600 mAh9.6 Wh5.2 A
2P5,200 mAh19.2 Wh10.4 A
3P7,800 mAh28.9 Wh15.6 A
4P10,400 mAh38.5 Wh20.8 A
5P13,000 mAh48.1 Wh26 A
6P15,600 mAh57.7 Wh31.2 A

Example pack configurations

7S2P
24V ebike / small pack
14 cells25.9V nominal5,200mAh135Wh10A maxCell weight: 0.66 kg (add ~15% for wiring and BMS)
13S4P
48V ebike standard
52 cells48.1V nominal10,400mAh500Wh21A maxCell weight: 2.44 kg (add ~15% for wiring and BMS)
16S4P
DIY powerwall
64 cells59.2V nominal10,400mAh616Wh21A maxCell weight: 3.01 kg (add ~15% for wiring and BMS)
4S6P
Power tool replacement
24 cells14.8V nominal15,600mAh231Wh31A maxCell weight: 1.13 kg (add ~15% for wiring and BMS)

Design a custom pack with this cell:

Application suitability

PowerwallsHigh capacity means more stored energy per cell. Fewer cells needed for a given kWh target.
Ebike PacksMarginal. Check your motor's peak draw first. You might get voltage sag under load.
Car AudioNot enough discharge for car audio amplifiers. You need at least 15-20A continuous for most setups.
High-Drain VapingBelow the 25A Mooch CDR threshold that high-drain vaping needs. Use a higher-drain cell.
FlashlightsDecent runtime. Works well for most flashlights.
Power ToolsNot enough discharge or capacity for power tool use.

Physical dimensions

Dimensions18.4mm × 65mm
TopFlat Top
Format18650

Similar cells

Same format and chemistry, within ±500mAh capacity:

CellmAhCDRWhWeightWh/kg
Samsung ICR18650-26C (this cell)26005.2A9.6247g204.68
LG LGABD11865300011.3
LG LGDBD1186530005.8A11.348.5g232
Panasonic NCR18650BD310010A11.249.5g225
Samsung ICR18650-30B29505.9A11.248g232
Samsung ICR18650-30A30006A11.148g231

Frequently asked questions

Handling and safety

Lithium cells can be dangerous if mishandled. A few things to keep in mind:

  • Never charge above 4.2V or discharge below 2.8V.
  • Store cells at around 3.6-3.8V (roughly 40-60% charge) for long-term storage.
  • Don't mix cells with different capacities, chemistries, or states of charge in a pack.
  • Inspect wraps before use. A torn wrap can cause a short circuit.
  • Always use a BMS or balance charger appropriate for your pack configuration.
  • Keep cells away from metal objects, keys, and coins. A short across the terminals can cause fire.

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Specs come from manufacturer datasheets and independent testing; Mooch-tested discharge ratings are shown when available because they reflect real continuous performance better than headline datasheet numbers. Browse the full 18650 & 21700 cell database to compare every cell.

Disclaimer: We do our best to keep the information on this page accurate, but we cannot guarantee that all specifications are correct or up to date. Cell characteristics can vary between production batches and may change over time. Do not rely solely on this data for safety-critical applications. Always verify against the manufacturer's official datasheet before use.