Battery group sizes explained: 24F, 48 (H6), 94R (H7)

What BCI group numbers mean, the H/L names, and how to check yours.

What a group size is

The Battery Council International (BCI) group number defines a battery's outside dimensions, terminal type and terminal position. It doesn't set capacity: two group 48 batteries can have very different cold-cranking amps (CCA) and reserve capacity.

Common names

European-style sizes have two names. Group 48 is also sold as H6 or L3, 94R as H7 or L4, 49 as H8 or L5, and 47 as H5 or L2.

The letters

An R suffix means reversed terminal positions compared with the base group. An F (as in 24F) also means reversed terminals. Fitting the wrong one can leave the cables too short to reach.

Check before you buy

Group sizes can change with engine, trim, cold-weather or towing packages, and start-stop systems (which usually need an AGM battery). Read the label on the battery that's in the vehicle, or the owner's manual, and match CCA at least to the original. Most battery group sizes on this site come from third-party references and are marked low confidence.

Look it up by vehicle

Last reviewed 2026-10-14.