Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)

Cold cranking amps (CCA) is a rating of the current a battery can sustain at low temperature, and some jump starter makers publish it as a cranking-amp figure.

Last updated: 19 October 2026

What it means

WOLFBOX, a jump starter seller, says CCA is measured at 0°F (−18°C), is the rating used on vehicle batteries, and is defined as current sustained for 30 seconds without the voltage dropping below 7.2 V ^[1]. That is different from peak amps, which the same blog describes as a brief burst ^[1].

Why it matters when you buy

The blog advises prioritising devices with a published CCA or cranking-amp rating rather than peak amps alone, and says its general guidance is about 150 CCA for small car batteries and 400 to 500 CCA for most passenger vehicles, SUVs and trucks ^[1]. It is a seller’s blog, so treat those figures as one view and check the maker’s engine size rating for your fuel too.

How you will see it

Check whether a listing gives a cranking-amp figure as well as peak amps. If it gives only peak amps, you have one number that is hard to compare. Our guide sets out the checks in order.

Related

• Peak amps
• Jump starter engine size rating
• What size jump starter do I need?

Sources

1. Sizing a jump starter correctly: peak amps, CCA and the numbers sellers don’t explain, WOLFBOX (seller’s own blog). Dated 7 August 2026, wolfbox.com. Checked 19 October 2026.