Battery wall clocks: which battery, how long it lasts and why it stops

Most battery-operated wall clocks take one AA battery; large, chiming and pendulum clocks may take C or D cells. Use a fresh alkaline battery unless the manual says otherwise. Clock-parts supplier Clockworks says a basic AA movement typically runs 6 to 12 months per battery, and retailer Premier Clocks gives 6 months to 2 years for basic clocks; sweep second hands, high-torque motors and radio receivers use more. If a clock stops with a good battery, check the contacts and make sure the hands aren't touching.

Key facts

A battery wall clock is a quartz clock: a crystal vibrates 32,768 times a second, a chip counts the vibrations, and a tiny motor moves the hands once a second (see how a quartz clock works). It needs very little power, which is why one small battery runs it for months. Here's how to get the most from that battery, and what to do when the clock stops.

Which battery does a wall clock take?

Howard Miller's quartz range shows how much this varies: retailer Premier Clocks lists models taking one AA, two AA, three AA, four C cells, and two C plus two D cells. Always check the label inside the battery compartment.

How long does a battery last in a wall clock?

There's no single figure, but the sources agree on a range. Clockworks says an AA clock movement typically runs 6 to 12 months, depending on the battery's quality and whether the clock has a second hand, and suggests changing the battery once or twice a year. Premier Clocks says basic battery clocks can last from 6 months to 2 years. Things that shorten battery life:

• A second hand, especially a long one, and sweep (continuous) movements.
• Long or heavy hands on large clocks, which need a high-torque motor.
• Chimes, melodies, moving dials and lights.
• Radio-controlled receivers, which wake up to listen for the time signal.
• Cold, which reduces battery capacity, for clocks on outside walls or porches.
• Cheap or old batteries. Batteries lose charge on the shelf; check the date on the pack.

Can you use rechargeable batteries in a clock?

It's best not to unless the manual allows it. Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) cells deliver about 1.2 volts, while a fresh alkaline cell gives about 1.5 volts. Many clocks are designed for alkaline: La Crosse Technology's FAQ for one of its radio-controlled clocks says each battery must supply at least 1.48 volts, and recommends name-brand alkaline cells, which it says make less electrical noise that could interfere with radio reception. A clock running on a low-voltage cell may lose time, stall when lifting its hands, or fail to receive the time signal.

Why a battery clock stops or loses time

• Weak battery. The most common cause. A weak cell often shows first as the second hand stalling or twitching near the 8 or 9, where it has to lift the hands upward.
• Dirty or corroded contacts. Clockworks lists clean battery contacts as one of the first things to check when a clock stops even with a new battery.
• Hands touching each other, the dial or the glass.
• Hands too heavy for the movement, often after fitting new hands. The Clock Shop recommends a high-torque movement for minute hands longer than 160 mm.
• Loose movement that has shifted behind the dial.
• Worn-out movement. Quartz movements are inexpensive; see how to replace a clock movement.

Premier Clocks notes that on quartz chime and pendulum clocks, a low battery may show as the clock losing time, the chime getting weaker, or the pendulum stopping.

How to change a wall clock battery

1. Take the clock off the wall and lay it face down on a soft cloth.
2. Remove the old battery. If you see white or green crust, wipe the contacts with a dry cloth; replace the movement if they are badly corroded.
3. Insert a fresh alkaline battery, matching the + and − marks.
4. Set the time with the small knob on the back of the movement, not by pushing the hands.
5. If you're storing a clock or won't use it for months, take the battery out to prevent leaks.

Ticking or silent?

A standard step movement moves the second hand once a second, with a small tick. A sweep movement moves the second hand continuously, so there is no tick; these are often sold as "silent" or "non-ticking" clocks. If a ticking clock keeps you awake, the movement can be swapped for a sweep version.

Radio-controlled ("atomic") battery clocks

In North America, radio-controlled clocks set themselves from NIST's radio station WWVB near Fort Collins, Colorado, which broadcasts a time code on 60 kHz. NIST says most clocks listen once a day, usually around midnight or the early morning when reception is best. If yours won't set: put in fresh batteries, place it near a window or wall facing Colorado, keep it away from monitors, routers and microwaves, and give it a few nights. They also change automatically for daylight saving time; ordinary battery clocks must be changed by hand. To check any clock against the exact time, use our atomic clock.

Sources

• Clockworks: how to install and use an AA battery clock movement
• Premier Clocks: battery-operated Howard Miller clocks
• La Crosse Technology: atomic clock FAQ, model 513-1417 (PDF)
• The Clock Shop: step-by-step quartz movement replacement guide
• NIST: radio station WWVB
• NIST: help with WWVB radio-controlled clocks
• Wikipedia: Quartz clock

Last updated November 6, 2026. Found an error? Tell us.

More about clocks

• Replace a clock movement
• Choosing a wall clock
• Outdoor clocks
• Atomic clock
• All clock guides
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• Parts of a clock