Power Tool Battery Compatibility Chart: M12, M18, DeWalt 20V MAX and What Actually Fits
This power tool battery compatibility chart covers the three platforms most pros run: Milwaukee M12, M18, and DeWalt 20V MAX — plus FLEXVOLT. Short answer before you hit the table: platforms are brand-locked and mostly voltage-locked. M12 packs stay in M12 tools. M18 stays in M18. DeWalt 20V MAX stays in 20V MAX — with one clean exception: FLEXVOLT batteries run in both 20V and 60V MAX tools. No Milwaukee battery snaps into a DeWalt tool without a third-party adapter, and those adapters aren't a real solution for most people. What the other compatibility charts skip: USB-C chargers and AC power inverters are platform-locked too. Buy the wrong inverter for your battery brand and it physically won't fit. Here's the full picture.
Battery Compatibility at a Glance
How to Read This Chart
Four columns: the battery platform, which tools accept it, which chargers work with it, and which accessories — USB-C chargers, inverters, power supplies — clip onto it. The accessory column is the one most charts leave blank. Don't buy an accessory without checking it first.
| Battery Platform | Fits These Tools | Charges With | Compatible Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M12 | All M12 tools only | M12 chargers; M12/M18 combo chargers | M12 USB adapter, M12 TOP-OFF |
| Milwaukee M18 (any line) | All M18 tools only | M18 chargers; M12/M18 combo chargers | M18 USB-C charger (65W), M18 inverters (150W–350W), M18 TOP-OFF 175W |
| DeWalt 20V MAX | All 20V MAX tools; Craftsman V20; Porter-Cable 20V; most B+D 20V | 20V MAX chargers (DCB115, DCB104, etc.) | 20V MAX USB-C charger (65W), 20V MAX 150W inverter |
| DeWalt FLEXVOLT (20V/60V MAX) | All 20V MAX tools + all 60V MAX tools | 20V MAX chargers; FLEXVOLT charger | Same 20V MAX accessory line |
| DeWalt 12V MAX | 12V MAX tools only | 12V MAX charger only | None stocked |
The rest of this post walks through the reasoning behind each row. Jump to the section that matches your platform, then check the accessory section before you buy.
Milwaukee Battery Compatibility — M12 and M18 Are Separate Ecosystems
Milwaukee runs two parallel platforms — 12V and 18V. They don't cross. That's the short version.
Which Batteries Fit Milwaukee M12 Tools?
Every M12 battery pack — CP2.0, XC4.0, XC6.0 — shares the same physical connector. Any M12 pack fits any M12 tool; any M12 charger charges any M12 pack. Simple.
Milwaukee's M12/M18 combo chargers (like the 48-59-1812) handle both platforms. Single-bay M18-only chargers do not accept M12 packs — the slots are physically different sizes.
For accessories, two things work directly on M12 batteries: the M12 USB adapter (adds a 12V DC heated jacket port plus USB output) and the M12 TOP-OFF (charges the M12 pack via USB-C while also providing a USB device port). No M12-specific inverter is stocked — for M12 accessories, browse our Milwaukee collection.
What M12 will not do: fit any M18 tool. The tab geometry and contact spacing are physically different. It's not just a voltage gap — the connectors don't mate.
More on this divide in our M12/M18 compatibility guide.
Which Batteries Fit Milwaukee M18 Tools?
This is Milwaukee's main professional platform, and the battery lineup is wide: standard REDLITHIUM (CP2.0 through XC5.0), HIGH OUTPUT XC packs (6.0, 8.0, and 12.0 Ah variants), and the FORGE line (XC6.0, XC8.0, and HD12.0).
All of them — every pack, every chemistry line — use the same M18 connector and work in every M18 tool. Backward and forward. A drill you bought five years ago accepts a brand-new FORGE HD12.0 without any adapter or firmware update.
Same goes for chargers. Every M18 charger — rapid, super, sequential six-pack, cool-vented, vehicle charger — charges any M18 pack. The M12/M18 combo chargers handle both.
Does NOT fit M12 tools.
Can You Charge an M12 Battery on an M18 Charger?
Depends which charger you have. Milwaukee's combo chargers handle both M12 and M18 packs. A single-bay M18-only charger won't accept an M12 pack — different slot dimensions. Check the charger model number before assuming. Full breakdown in our charging guide.
DeWalt Battery Compatibility — 20V MAX, FLEXVOLT, and the Brands That Share the Platform
DeWalt's main platform is 20V MAX. The name is a little misleading: "20V MAX" refers to peak initial voltage per IEC measurement standards. Nominal operating voltage is 18V. Electrically, it's an 18V platform — same tier as Milwaukee M18 — but the connectors are completely different and batteries do not cross. For a deeper look at the full platform, see our DeWalt 20V MAX guide.
Which Batteries Are Compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX?
Every 20V MAX battery — standard, XR, PowerStack — fits every 20V MAX tool. The connector is consistent across all 20V MAX packs regardless of what DeWalt calls the line in marketing. The DCB104 multiport charger and any standard 20V MAX charger work with all of them.
Accessories that clip onto any 20V MAX battery: the DeWalt MAX XR USB-C charger (65W — charges phones, tablets, and laptops directly from your DeWalt pack) and the DeWalt MAX XR 150W power inverter (a full 120V AC outlet off any 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT battery).
Does FLEXVOLT Work in 20V MAX Tools? (And Vice Versa?)
FLEXVOLT packs are rated 20V/60V MAX. Drop one into a standard 20V MAX tool and it runs at 20V — full backward compatibility. Drop one into a 60V MAX tool and it automatically switches to 60V mode (54V nominal). The DCB612, for example, carries 12.0 Ah and delivers that at either voltage level.
Standard 20V MAX chargers — including the DCB104 — charge FLEXVOLT packs. No special charger required. Full charger details in our DeWalt charger guide.
The hard limit: a standard 20V MAX battery will not run a 60V-only tool. FLEXVOLT compatibility goes one direction. See our 20V/FLEXVOLT comparison for the full picture.
Craftsman V20, Porter-Cable 20V, and Black+Decker 20V
Three brands, one platform — mostly. Craftsman V20 and Porter-Cable 20V use the same physical connector and voltage as DeWalt 20V MAX. Batteries swap freely in both directions for the majority of tools.
Black+Decker 20V is compatible on most current models. Some older B+D tools used a slightly different connector, so check your specific model.
Full Craftsman coverage in our interchangeability guide. Porter-Cable breakdown in our compatibility breakdown.
DeWalt 12V MAX — A Separate, Closed Platform
DeWalt's 12V MAX line is a closed ecosystem. No overlap with 20V MAX batteries, chargers, or accessories. We don't stock any 12V MAX accessories. If you run DeWalt 12V tools, start in our DeWalt collection. On whether the two DeWalt voltages cross, see our voltage guide.
Cross-Brand Mixing: Milwaukee and DeWalt Don't Share Batteries
Why Milwaukee and DeWalt Connectors Don't Cross
Milwaukee M18 and DeWalt 20V MAX sit at the same nominal operating voltage. The chemistry is comparable. But the physical connectors — the sliding rail, tab geometry, and contact spacing — are different by design. An M18 battery doesn't seat in a DeWalt tool. A DeWalt 20V MAX battery doesn't seat in a Milwaukee tool.
Third-party battery adapters exist and will technically run the tool. They add a mechanical stress point, can shift during use, and aren't something we stock or recommend for daily professional use. That's a longer conversation — see our full breakdown.
This post covers Milwaukee M12, M18, DeWalt 20V MAX, and FLEXVOLT. Makita, Bosch, and Ryobi are separate platforms outside the scope of what we sell and cover here.
For the full platform comparison beyond battery fit, see our platform guide. On whether a truly universal power tool battery is realistic, see our analysis.
The One Cross-Platform Thing That DOES Work
Cutting accessories are brand-neutral. A circular saw blade fits any saw with the right arbor. Reciprocating blades use a universal T-shank. Drill bits fit any drill. The magnetic bit holder works on any impact driver or drill — Milwaukee, DeWalt, doesn't matter. Once you're past the battery, most consumable accessories are platform-agnostic.
Accessory Compatibility — The Part Other Battery Charts Skip
USB Chargers and Power Inverters Are Platform-Specific
Most battery compatibility charts don't cover this, because most chart-writers don't sell these accessories. We do, so here it is plainly.
A USB-C charger or AC inverter that mounts on an M18 battery uses Milwaukee's M18 battery rail. It will not fit on a DeWalt 20V MAX pack. Different rail, different contacts. If you buy the wrong one, it doesn't fit — you're returning it. Same the other way around.
What Accessories Work on Milwaukee M18 Batteries?
Any M18-rated accessory fits every M18 pack — standard REDLITHIUM, HIGH OUTPUT, FORGE. The interface is universal across the entire M18 platform.
- M18 USB-C Fast Charger (65W) — Charges phones, tablets, and most USB-C laptops directly from any M18 battery.
- M18 150W Power Inverter — A 120V AC outlet off any M18 pack. Good for corded tools, phone chargers, lights.
- M18 350W Pure Sine Wave Inverter — Clean power for sensitive electronics: laptops, test equipment, anything that doesn't like modified sine wave output.
- M18 TOP-OFF 175W — Milwaukee's own AC power supply that also charges the M18 battery itself via USB-C. One device, two jobs.
- M18 220W and 220–250W inverters — For heavier draws than the 150W handles.
What Accessories Work on Milwaukee M12 Batteries?
The M12 accessory lineup is smaller but covers the key use cases:
- M12 USB Adapter — Turns any M12 pack into a heated jacket battery adapter (12V DC port) and USB charging hub.
- M12 TOP-OFF — Charges the M12 battery via USB-C and adds a USB device port. Good for keeping compact packs topped off without a wall outlet.
No M12-specific inverter in the catalog. For everything M12, see our Milwaukee collection.
What Accessories Work on DeWalt 20V MAX Batteries?
- DeWalt MAX XR USB-C Charger (65W) — 65W from any 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT pack, straight to your phone, tablet, or laptop.
- DeWalt MAX XR 150W Power Inverter — 120V AC outlet off any 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT battery.
- DCB104 Multiport Charger — Charges up to four tool batteries simultaneously. A tool charger, not a device charger, but useful to note: it works with every 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT pack at the same time.
For DeWalt 12V MAX, no compatible accessories are stocked. See our DeWalt collection.
Cross-Platform Accessories — Brand Doesn't Matter
Drill bits, saw blades, oscillating blades (standard arbor or shank), and magnetic bit holders work with any drill or saw regardless of battery brand. Once the battery seats and the tool runs, what goes in the chuck is platform-agnostic.
FAQ
Are Milwaukee M12 and M18 batteries interchangeable?
No. M12 and M18 use physically different connectors and different voltage levels. An M12 battery will not seat in an M18 tool, and an M18 battery won't fit an M12 tool. These are two separate, closed platforms with no adapter that bridges them.
Can I use a DeWalt FLEXVOLT battery in a 20V MAX tool?
Yes. FLEXVOLT packs (rated 20V/60V MAX) are fully backward compatible with any DeWalt 20V MAX tool. The battery runs at 20V in a 20V MAX tool and automatically shifts to 60V in a 60V MAX tool. A standard 20V MAX battery will not run a 60V-only tool.
Do Milwaukee and DeWalt batteries fit each other's tools?
No, not directly. Milwaukee M18 and DeWalt 20V MAX use physically different connectors despite running at the same nominal voltage. Third-party adapters exist and will run the tool, but they add a mechanical stress point and aren't a clean long-term solution. See our detailed breakdown for a detailed breakdown.
Are DeWalt and Craftsman V20 batteries interchangeable?
Yes, in most cases. Craftsman V20 and DeWalt 20V MAX share the same physical connector and voltage platform. Batteries swap in both directions for the majority of tools on each brand. Full breakdown in our interchangeability guide.
Are DeWalt and Black+Decker 20V batteries the same?
Most are compatible — they share the same platform. Some older Black+Decker models used a slightly different connector, so verify your specific tool before assuming full cross-compatibility.
Can I charge a Milwaukee M12 battery on an M18 charger?
Depends on the charger. Milwaukee's M12/M18 combo chargers handle both packs. A single-bay M18-only charger won't accept an M12 — the slot dimensions are different. Check the charger model number. Full guide: see our charging breakdown.
Do M18 accessories — USB chargers, inverters — work on all M18 batteries?
Yes. Every M18 accessory — USB-C chargers, AC inverters, the TOP-OFF power supply — clips onto any M18 pack regardless of chemistry line. REDLITHIUM, HIGH OUTPUT, FORGE: same interface, same accessories, no exceptions.
What's the difference between DeWalt 20V MAX and DeWalt 60V MAX?
Different voltage tiers for different tools. 60V MAX tools require FLEXVOLT batteries to run. 20V MAX tools run on standard 20V MAX packs or FLEXVOLT packs. If you're on the 20V MAX platform and haven't needed a large-format stationary tool, you may never need the 60V tier. FLEXVOLT is the bridge if you do.
If you're on Milwaukee, your accessories — USB chargers, inverters, power supplies — live in the M18 or M12 column. Match the accessory to your platform and it drops right on. If you're on DeWalt, the 20V MAX accessory line handles everything from 65W USB-C to 150W AC power.
Browse Milwaukee accessories or DeWalt accessories.