H6 vs H7 vs H8 Battery: Size, Capacity, CCA and Which Car Each Fits
H6, H7 and H8 are the three most common European passenger-car groups, and they differ mainly in length and output. The choice is usually settled by the tray — if the bigger case does not fit, the comparison ends there.
The three groups side by side
| H6 (L3) | H7 (L4) | H8 (L5) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length × width × height | ~278 × 175 × 190 mm | ~315 × 175 × 190 mm | ~352 × 175 × 190 mm |
| Typical capacity | ~70 Ah | ~80 Ah | ~90–95 Ah |
| Typical CCA (EN) | ~640–700 A | ~760 A | ~850–900 A |
| Typical vehicle | Midsize car / start-stop | Large car / SUV | Large SUV / light truck |
Dimensions are typical; height varies slightly with terminal type. Always confirm against the original battery before ordering.
Source cards — where each number comes from
Every parameter above is a cross-verified range, not a single-source claim. The table maps each parameter to its source and the test standard that defines how it is measured; the source cards below record the verification trail for the three groups.
| Parameter | Source | Test standard |
|---|---|---|
| Length × width × height | EN/DIN group reference tables + manufacturer datasheets (Varta, Bosch, Exide, Yuasa) | EN 50342 dimension codes (L3 / L4 / L5) |
| Typical capacity (Ah) | Manufacturer datasheets (Varta, Bosch, Exide, Yuasa) | EN 50342 — C20 rated capacity |
| Typical CCA | Manufacturer datasheets (Varta, Bosch, Exide, Yuasa) | EN 50342 — cold-cranking test (−18°C) |
| Typical vehicle fitment | Manufacturer fitment guides | Application guidance (no single test standard) |
Manufacturer: Varta / Bosch / Exide / Yuasa (representative)
Document: H6 (L3), H7 (L4), H8 (L5) product datasheets
Document date: 2024–2026 (varies by model)
Specification: ~70 / ~80 / ~90–95 Ah; ~640–700 / ~760 / ~850–900 A EN CCA
Source type: Primary (manufacturer datasheet) + BCI/EN group reference
Verification: Cross-verified against BCI group-size reference and EN 50342 dimension codes
Last checked: 2026-09-17
One representative source card; the full per-group entity records live in the battery-group database.
Why the difference is mostly length
All three groups share the same width (~175mm) and height (~190mm); what grows is the length. A longer case holds more plate surface area, which raises both capacity and CCA. The trade-off is physical: a car's tray is sized for a specific group, and a longer battery simply will not drop in or clamp down.
Which one do you need?
- H6 (L3) — the modern start-stop default for midsize petrol and diesel cars; balanced size and output.
- H7 (L4) — large cars and SUVs with higher electrical load (heated seats, telematics, start-stop).
- H8 (L5) — large SUVs and light trucks with the highest accessory and cranking demand.
The rule is match the group to the tray first, then confirm the CCA meets the engine and climate — see battery group sizes and what is CCA.
What do people get wrong about battery group sizes?
- "A bigger group is always a better battery." It is more output, but it must fit the tray — an H8 in an H6 tray is a non-starter.
- "H6, H7 and H8 are interchangeable." No — they differ in length, so they are not physically interchangeable.
- "Higher CCA means I should upsize." Only if the tray allows it; otherwise buy the correct group with the CCA the engine needs.
Key takeaways
- H6 → H7 → H8 is a length and output ladder (~278 → ~315 → ~352 mm).
- Bigger group = more capacity and CCA, but only if the tray accepts it.
- Match the group to the tray, then the CCA to the engine and climate.
- H6 is the start-stop default; H7/H8 are for larger, higher-load vehicles.
The fit numbers
| Group | Length | Width × Height | Typical Ah |
|---|---|---|---|
| H6 | ~278 mm | 175 × 190 mm | ~70 |
| H7 | ~315 mm | 175 × 190 mm | ~70–80 |
| H8 | ~352 mm | 175 × 190 mm | ~90–95 |
From the entity database — H6, H7 and H8 — width and height are shared; the tray's length decides which group fits.
The bottom line
The H-series is a fitment ladder, not a performance ladder — buy the group the tray accepts, then the technology the duty demands.
What This Means
My position: The H6/H7/H8 question almost always answers itself the moment you measure the tray — the group is a physical constraint first and a performance choice second.
Supporting logic: People compare CCA across the three groups when the deciding variable is 37 millimetres of case length. Upsizing to an H8 for "more power" fails the moment the battery will not fit. The correct sequence — measure the tray, read the current group, then confirm CCA — removes the entire dilemma.
This is the author's editorial view, not a purchasing guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between H6, H7 and H8 batteries?
Physical size and output. H6 (L3) is ~278mm long and ~70 Ah; H7 (L4) is ~315mm and ~80 Ah; H8 (L5) is ~352mm and ~90–95 Ah. Each step up fits a larger, higher-demand vehicle, but the tray must accept the bigger case.
Can I replace an H7 with an H8?
Only if the tray, hold-down and cables accept the longer H8 case. The H8 is ~37mm longer than the H7, so it will not fit an H7 tray. Confirm the physical dimensions before upgrading.
What buyers should ask
- Which of H6, H7 or H8 does the vehicle's tray and clamp actually fit — the lengths differ?
- Does the required CCA and Ah sit within the chosen group's typical range, or is the next group up needed?
- Is the terminal position and polarity correct for the cable layout?
- Are the three groups' CCA figures being compared on the same test standard?
Sources
Dimensions and CCA ranges cross-verified from manufacturer datasheets (Varta, Bosch, Exide, Yuasa) and the BCI group-size reference. Values are typical ranges, not a substitute for a specific battery's datasheet.
- Battery Council International (BCI) — group-size and dimension definitions.
- EN 50342 — European starter-battery standard (CCA basis).
- Manufacturer fitment guides — H6/H7/H8 dimensions and CCA.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-14