A rechargeable battery comprises an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator that is interposed between the positive electrode and negative electrode. The battery further comprises a case for housing the electrode assembly, a cap assembly for sealing the case, a positive terminal and a negative terminal placed in the cap assembly and coupled with the electrode assembly, and lead elements that are coupled with the electrode assembly and the positive terminal and negative terminal. The positive and negative electrodes include uncoated regions that are not coated with positive active materials or negative active materials, respectively, and the lead elements are placed along the periphery of the uncoated regions to be coupled with at least half of the uncoated regions.