What does the “4680” designation in Tesla’s 4680 battery cell refer to?

Tesla’s “4680” designation refers to a cylindrical cell measuring 46 millimeters in diameter and 80 millimeters in height.

Tesla presented the 4680 cell at its Battery Day event in September 2020. The larger format was intended to reduce the number of cells needed in a vehicle pack and to support changes in manufacturing, electrode design, and vehicle structure. Tesla also discussed a tabless electrode approach designed to improve current flow and reduce resistance.

The name follows the common cylindrical-cell convention of stating diameter first and height second. It does not describe the cell’s voltage, energy capacity, or chemistry. Actual performance depends on the precise cell version, cathode and anode materials, production process, and battery-pack design.

The 4680 format is associated with Tesla, but the company has worked with manufacturing partners and has used multiple battery formats across its vehicle range. A vehicle’s battery pack can therefore vary by factory, model year, and market.