Lithium Battery Mark Generator
Generate official, print-ready Lithium Battery Marks (UN 3481, UN 3480, UN 3091, UN 3090) conforming to 49 CFR § 173.185(c)(3), UN Model Regulations § 5.2.1.9, and IATA DGR Figure 7.1.C. Includes a pre-flight exemption checker, exact 5 mm red hatched borders, and 1:1 millimeter vector SVG and PDF downloads.
1. Select UN Number(s)
2. Label Dimension
3. Telephone Number (Optional)
Note: Under 49 CFR 173.185(c)(3)(ii) and UN Model Regulations, the telephone number requirement was phased out in the 2024 update (transition allowed through Dec 31, 2026). Standard marks now omit the telephone number.
4. Overpack Marking
Where lithium battery mark rules come from
The lithium battery mark is mandated worldwide by the UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods § 5.2.1.9, adopted into U.S. federal law under 49 CFR § 173.185(c)(3), and published in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) Packing Instructions 965–970 Section II and the IMDG Code § 5.2.1.10.
Exact physical dimensions: 100×100 mm vs 100×70 mm
Under 49 CFR 173.185(c)(3)(i)(A), the mark must be a square or rectangle with a red hatched border with a minimum width of 5 mm (0.2 in). The standard mark is 100 mm × 100 mm. Shippers may only use the reduced 100 mm × 70 mm mark when the packaging is too small to accommodate the full-sized mark without folding. The mark must never be folded over package corners or edges.
Which UN number applies to your shipment?
The asterisk (*) on the template must be replaced by the applicable UN number:
• UN 3480: Lithium ion batteries (rechargeable, loose / standalone)
• UN 3481: Lithium ion batteries packed with or contained in equipment
• UN 3090: Lithium metal batteries (non-rechargeable, loose / standalone)
• UN 3091: Lithium metal batteries packed with or contained in equipment
If a consignment contains multiple types, all applicable UN numbers must be indicated.
Why the telephone number is no longer required
Historically, the mark featured a telephone number for additional information (indicated by double asterisks on older diagrams). Because shippers frequently confused this with a 24-hour emergency response number (e.g. CHEMTREC), international regulatory committees removed the telephone number requirement. In the United States, 49 CFR § 173.185(c)(3)(ii) authorized continued use of marks with phone numbers through December 31, 2026. The modern international standard is symbol + UN number(s) only.
When is a package exempt from the mark?
Under 49 CFR § 173.185(c)(3), two specific exceptions do not require any lithium battery mark:
1. Button cell exception: Packages containing only button cell batteries installed in equipment (including circuit boards).
2. Small consignment exception: Consignments of 2 packages or fewer, where each package contains not more than 4 lithium cells or 2 lithium batteries installed in equipment.
If your shipment exceeds these thresholds or is shipped standalone, the mark is mandatory.
When does a battery become fully regulated Class 9?
The smaller battery exception in 49 CFR § 173.185(c) applies only to cells ≤ 20 Wh and batteries ≤ 100 Wh (for lithium-ion), or cells ≤ 1 g and batteries ≤ 2 g lithium content (for lithium-metal). If your battery exceeds these ratings (e.g. an e-bike or heavy power-tool battery of 300 Wh), it CANNOT use this mark. It requires a Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods diamond label, UN-certified packaging, Dangerous Goods declaration documents, and certified hazmat shipper training.
Every check this tool runs (11 rules)
LBM-REQ-01 Lithium battery mark required for smaller cells and batteries
Packages containing smaller lithium cells and batteries under 49 CFR 173.185(c) or IATA DGR Section II must display the lithium battery mark on at least one side without folding.
LBM-EX-BUTTON Button cell exemption (no mark required)
Under 49 CFR 173.185(c)(3), packages containing only button cell batteries installed in equipment (including circuit boards) are exempt from displaying the lithium battery mark.
Fix: If the package contains only button cells installed in equipment, you do not need to affix a lithium battery mark.
LBM-EX-SMALL Small consignment exemption (no mark required)
Under 49 CFR 173.185(c)(3), packages containing not more than 4 cells or 2 batteries contained in equipment in consignments of 2 packages or fewer are exempt from the mark.
Fix: Consignments meeting this condition do not require the lithium battery mark.
LBM-CL9-ION Exceeds smaller battery limits — Class 9 Dangerous Goods required (Li-ion)
Lithium-ion cells exceeding 20 Wh or batteries exceeding 100 Wh do not qualify for the 49 CFR 173.185(c) smaller battery exception. They are fully regulated Class 9 hazardous materials and require a Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods diamond label, UN-specification packaging, and shipping papers, not this mark.
Fix: Ship as fully regulated Class 9 Dangerous Goods with a Class 9 label and UN specification packaging.
LBM-CL9-METAL Exceeds smaller battery limits — Class 9 Dangerous Goods required (Li-metal)
Lithium metal cells exceeding 1 g or batteries exceeding 2 g aggregate lithium content do not qualify for the 49 CFR 173.185(c) exception. They are fully regulated Class 9 hazardous materials.
Fix: Ship as fully regulated Class 9 Dangerous Goods with a Class 9 label and UN packaging.
LBM-SPEC-DIM Mark dimension standard (100×100 mm or reduced 100×70 mm)
The standard lithium battery mark must be at least 100 mm wide by 100 mm high. A reduced mark of 100 mm wide by 70 mm high may only be used when the package is too small for the full-sized mark.
LBM-SPEC-BORDER Red hatched border of at least 5 mm width
The mark must feature a border with red hatching (diagonal stripes) having a minimum width of 5 mm (0.2 inches).
LBM-SPEC-COLOR Black symbols and text on white/contrasting background
Symbols and letters must be black on a white or suitable contrasting background, and the hatching must be red.
LBM-SPEC-UN Appropriate UN number preceded by "UN"
The asterisk (*) must be replaced by the appropriate UN number(s) preceded by "UN" (e.g., UN 3480, UN 3481, UN 3090, UN 3091). All applicable UN numbers must be indicated if multiple are present in the package.
LBM-SPEC-PHONE Telephone number is no longer required (transition ended Dec 31, 2026)
Under 49 CFR 173.185(c)(3)(ii) and UN Model Regulations, the telephone number requirement on the lithium battery mark was phased out with a transition period through December 31, 2026. Current standard marks display only the battery symbol and UN numbers.
Fix: You may omit the telephone number for the current standard format, or include it if requested by your carrier during the transition.
LBM-SPEC-OVERPACK Overpack marking requirement (12 mm high text)
When packages are placed in an overpack, the mark must either be clearly visible through the overpack or reproduced on the outside, and the overpack marked with the word "OVERPACK" in letters at least 12 mm (0.47 in) high.
About these rules. Each one has an identifier, a severity and a plain-English explanation. Every source link is registered and re-checked against the live page rather than linked from memory; this tool's sources were last re-verified on 1 November 2026. How rules are written, tested and kept current →