CCA by Battery Group: Typical Cold Cranking Amps for H4–H9, L1–L6, JIS and BCI
Cold cranking amps scale with battery size, because a bigger case holds more plate surface area — and plate surface is what delivers cranking current. The table below gives typical CCA by group, but the number is a range, not a fixed value: within any one group it varies by technology, plate design and test standard.
Typical CCA by group
| Group / family | Typical capacity | Typical CCA | Standard (basis) |
|---|---|---|---|
| H4 (L1) | ~55–60 Ah | ~500–600 A | EN / DIN |
| H5 (L2) | ~60 Ah | ~600 A | EN / DIN |
| H6 (L3) | ~70 Ah | ~640–700 A | EN / DIN |
| H7 (L4) | ~80 Ah | ~760 A | EN / DIN |
| H8 (L5) | ~90–95 Ah | ~850–900 A | EN / DIN |
| H9 (L6) | ~105 Ah | ~950 A | EN / DIN |
| JIS 55D23 | ~60 Ah | ~540 A | JIS (−15°C) |
| JIS N150 (145G51) | ~135 Ah | ~900 A | JIS (−15°C) |
| JIS N200 (190H52) | ~200 Ah | ~1100 A | JIS (−15°C) |
| BCI Group 31 | ~100 Ah | ~900 A | SAE / BCI |
| BCI Group 8D | ~200+ Ah | ~1400+ A | SAE / BCI |
Figures are typical ranges cross-checked across multiple manufacturer datasheets; they are not a substitute for the exact value on a specific battery, which can differ by ±10–15% within a group.
Why CCA scales with group size
Cranking current comes from plate surface area: more surface in contact with the electrolyte means more current can leave the cell at once. A larger group case physically holds more (or larger) plates, so its CCA ceiling rises. That is why the relationship is monotonic but loose — two batteries in the same group can differ by a hundred CCA or more if one uses thinner plates (more surface, higher CCA) and the other thicker plates (more durability, lower CCA).
The two reasons the same group prints different CCA
- Standard — a JIS (−15°C) number reads higher than an EN/SAE (−18°C) number for the same physical battery. Compare only within one standard.
- Design — AGM and EFB typically deliver higher CCA than a flooded battery of the same group, because their construction reduces internal resistance.
How to use the table
Use the group first to match the vehicle's tray and terminal layout, then use CCA to match the engine's cold-start demand and your climate. The owner's manual or the original battery label is the authority on the exact figure — the table is a starting point for recognizing whether a quoted number is in the right ballpark.
Key takeaways
- CCA rises with group size because a larger case holds more plate surface area.
- The group bounds a typical range, not a fixed number — values vary by ±10–15% within a group.
- Two variables move the number within a group: the test standard and the design (AGM/EFB vs flooded).
- Match the group to the tray first, then the CCA to the engine and climate.
The Author's Take
Position: A "typical CCA by group" table is a sanity check, not a specification — and the useful skill is reading it as a range that two variables (standard and design) can push in opposite directions.
Reasoning: The table tells you an H7 "should" be around 760 CCA, which immediately flags a quote of "H7 — 900 CCA" as either an AGM/EFB design or a JIS-warmed number. That one comparison — expected range versus quoted figure, then asking which standard produced it — catches most specification mistakes before they become a wrong purchase.
This is the author's editorial view, not a purchasing guarantee.
Sources
CCA ranges cross-verified from manufacturer datasheets (Varta, Bosch, Yuasa, Century, Exide and Chinese manufacturers including Dingwei/Chengguang) and the BCI group-size reference. Where manufacturers differ, the range is stated rather than a single figure.
- Battery Council International (BCI) — group-size definitions.
- EN 50342, JIS D5301, SAE J537 — cranking-amp test methods.
- Manufacturer datasheets — H4–H9, JIS N150/N200, BCI 31/8D typical CCA values.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-14