Illustrative render of the Sony US18650VTC4 cell✱ Render
Illustrative render generated from published specifications. Not a photograph of the actual cell.
18.35 × 65.2 mm · 45 g
18650NMC Mooch-tested · 23 A

Sony US18650VTC4

Sony · released 2012
Capacity2000 mAh7.4 Wh · 164.44 Wh/kg
Mooch continuous23 ASize to this figure
Resistance12DC internal resistance
Voltage window3.7 V2.5 – 4.2 V
Standard charge2000 mA~1 h to full

At 2000 mAh, this ranks #127 of 169 18650 cells in our database. On the lower end for capacity among 18650 cells. Higher discharge than 95% of 18650 cells in our database. Great for high-drain builds.

Full specifications

Electrical
ChemistryNMC
Nominal voltage3.7 V
Max charge voltage4.2 V
Discharge cutoff2.5 V
Max continuous discharge23A (Mooch-tested)
Mooch CDR (trusted)23 A
Standard charge current2000 mA
Standard discharge current400mA
Internal resistance12 mΩ
Physical
Form factor18650
Dimensions18.35mm × 65.2mm
Weight45 g
Top typeFlat Top
ProtectedNo
Wrap colorGreen
Insulator ringBlack
Performance
Capacity2000 mAh
Energy7.4 Wh
Specific energy164.44 Wh/kg
Energy density429.16 Wh/L
Power density (gravimetric)1,891 W/kg
Power density (volumetric)4,935 W/L
Cycle life500 cycles
Year released2012
Operating Limits
Charge temp0°C to 45°C
Discharge temp-20°C to 60°C

Independent test data: Mooch's test of the US18650VTC4 ↗

At the standard 2000 mA charge rate, a full charge takes about 1 hours. The last bit is a slow taper to top it off.

Voltage operating window

Cutoff
2.5V
Nominal
3.7V
Max charge
4.2V

Usable range: 1.7V

C-rate conversion: Sony US18650VTC4 (2000mAh)

C-RateCurrent (A)Theoretical runtime
0.2C0.4 A5h 00m
0.5C1 A2h 00m
1C2 A1h 00m
2C4 A30m
3C6 A20m
5C10 A12m
8C16 A7m 30s
10C20 A6m

Highlighted row is closest to the rated 23A continuous discharge.

Charging

RateCurrentEstimated time
0.5C1,000 mA~2h 00m
1C2,000 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
1S3.7V4.2V2.5VFlashlights, single-cell devices
2S7.4V8.4V5VRC vehicles, 7.2V packs
3S11.1V12.6V7.5VPower tools (10.8V nominal)
4S14.8V16.8V10VEbike (small), some power tools
7S25.9V29.4V17.5VEbike (24V system)
10S37V42V25VEbike (36V system)
13S48.1V54.6V32.5VEbike (48V standard)
14S51.8V58.8V35VEbike (52V high-power)
16S59.2V67.2V40VDIY powerwall

Parallel capacity scaling

ConfigCapacityEnergyMax discharge
1P2,000 mAh7.4 Wh23 A
2P4,000 mAh14.8 Wh46 A
3P6,000 mAh22.2 Wh69 A
4P8,000 mAh29.6 Wh92 A
5P10,000 mAh37 Wh115 A
6P12,000 mAh44.4 Wh138 A

Example pack configurations

7S2P
24V ebike / small pack
14 cells25.9V nominal4,000mAh104Wh46A maxCell weight: 0.63 kg (add ~15% for wiring and BMS)
13S4P
48V ebike standard
52 cells48.1V nominal8,000mAh385Wh92A maxCell weight: 2.34 kg (add ~15% for wiring and BMS)
16S4P
DIY powerwall
64 cells59.2V nominal8,000mAh474Wh92A maxCell weight: 2.88 kg (add ~15% for wiring and BMS)
4S6P
Power tool replacement
24 cells14.8V nominal12,000mAh178Wh138A maxCell weight: 1.08 kg (add ~15% for wiring and BMS)

Design a custom pack with this cell:

Application suitability

PowerwallsUsable for powerwalls but lower capacity means you'll need more cells to hit your target kWh.
Ebike PacksMarginal. Check your motor's peak draw first. You might get voltage sag under load.
Car AudioEnough discharge to handle amplifier bursts without voltage sag.
High-Drain VapingUsable in regulated mods at moderate wattage. Not recommended for mechanical mods.
FlashlightsLower capacity means shorter runtime. Better cells are available for flashlight use.
Power ToolsSufficient discharge and capacity for most power tool packs.

Physical dimensions

Dimensions18.35mm × 65.2mm
TopFlat Top
Format18650

Similar cells

Same format and chemistry, within ±500mAh capacity:

CellmAhCDRWhWeightWh/kg
Sony US18650VTC4 (this cell)200023A7.445g164.44
LG LGDBHE21865250020A9.348g193
Sanyo UR18650F25005A9.347g197
Sanyo UR18650FM25005A9.347g197
LG LGCP21865025009
LG LGDBHE41865250020A947g191

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 2.5V.
  • 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.