Cell count, voltage and C rating calculator
Each LiPo cell is 3.7 V nominal and 4.2 V full, so a 3S pack is 11.1 V nominal and 12.6 V full. Maximum continuous current is capacity in Ah times the C rating: a 5000mAh 50C pack is rated for 250 A.
HOOVO 7.4V 80C 5200mAh 2S Lipo Battery with TR Plug Hard Case
- 2S
- 5200mAh
Car packs by cell count. Picked from current listings.
$18.99 listed price, changes often
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- 12.6 V
- Storage voltage
- 11.4 V
- Cutoff under load
- 9.6 V
- Max continuous current
- 250 A
- Energy
- 55.5 Wh
- 1C charge current
- 5.0 A
The formula
nominal V = cells x 3.7 | full V = cells x 4.2 | storage V = cells x 3.8 | cutoff V = cells x 3.2 max continuous A = (mAh / 1000) x C | energy Wh = Ah x nominal V
Listed C ratings are often optimistic. Treat the result as an upper bound and buy packs with comfortable headroom over your real draw.
Car packs by cell count
Picked from current listings across the price range, so there is a budget, a middle and a premium option in each category.
What voltage is a 2S, 3S, 4S and 6S LiPo?
Voltage is set by cell count alone. Capacity and C rating do not change it.
| Cells | Nominal | Full | Storage | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1S | 3.7 V | 4.2 V | 3.8 V | 3.2 V |
| 2S | 7.4 V | 8.4 V | 7.6 V | 6.4 V |
| 3S | 11.1 V | 12.6 V | 11.4 V | 9.6 V |
| 4S | 14.8 V | 16.8 V | 15.2 V | 12.8 V |
| 6S | 22.2 V | 25.2 V | 22.8 V | 19.2 V |
| 8S | 29.6 V | 33.6 V | 30.4 V | 25.6 V |
What does the C rating on an RC battery mean?
C rating is the maximum continuous discharge current as a multiple of capacity. A 5000mAh pack is 5 Ah, so 50C means 250 A. It is a ceiling, not a target: a 1/10 4x4 on 3S rarely averages more than 35 A. What a higher real C rating buys you is lower internal resistance, so the voltage sags less, the pack runs cooler and the car holds its speed later into the run.
Some 6S bashers run two 3S packs in series. That gives 6S voltage at the capacity of one pack; the cell count calculator treats that as 6S.
Is LiHV different?
LiHV cells charge to 4.35 V instead of 4.2 V, which adds a little voltage and punch. They need a charger with a LiHV mode. Charging a normal LiPo in LiHV mode overcharges it, which is dangerous. If you are not sure what you have, charge in plain LiPo mode.
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Frequently asked questions
How many volts is a 3S LiPo?
A 3S LiPo is 11.1 V nominal, 12.6 V when fully charged, about 11.4 V at storage charge and should not be run below about 9.6 V under load. The three cells are wired in series, so their voltages add. Capacity in mAh and the C rating do not change the voltage; only the number of cells does.
Is a higher C rating better for an RC car?
Up to a point. A pack with a genuinely higher C rating has lower internal resistance, so it sags less and runs cooler, which you feel as more punch late in a run. Beyond what your car can draw it adds nothing but cost. For most 1/10 cars a quality 50C pack is plenty; heavy 6S trucks benefit more.
What is the storage voltage for an RC LiPo?
About 3.8 V per cell, which is 7.6 V for 2S, 11.4 V for 3S and 22.8 V for 6S. Most balance chargers have a storage mode that charges or discharges to this level. Store packs this way if you will not use them for more than a few days, because full or empty storage ages cells quickly.
Can I use a 3S battery in a 2S RC car?
Only if the ESC and motor are rated for 3S. Many brushless 1/10 trucks list 2S to 3S support, often written as 2S-3S or 223S. Putting 3S into an ESC rated for 2S can destroy it instantly. Even on a 3S-capable car, gear down a tooth or two for 3S to control motor temperature.
How much current does an RC car draw?
Average draw is usually far lower than people expect: about 5 A for a crawler at trail pace, 12 to 25 A for 1/10 2WD cars, 25 to 40 A for 1/10 4x4 brushless on 3S, and 45 to 60 A for 1/8 6S bashers. Peaks on hard launches can be several times higher, which is what the C rating has to cover.
RCCarCalc is researched guidance, not professional advice. Figures come from published manufacturer specifications, listings and verified owner reports, not hands-on testing. Speeds are theoretical or as listed; real results depend on gearing, battery, tires and terrain. See how we research.