An AA alkaline battery includes a positive electrode containing larger than or equal to 9.30 g of manganese dioxide. An AAA alkaline battery includes a positive electrode containing larger than or equal to 4.09 g of manganese dioxide. The cumulative pore volume of pores having diameters from 0.97 μm to 10.2 μm, both inclusive, is in the range from 0.0035 ml/g to 0.0070 ml/g, both inclusive, in measurement of pore size distribution in the positive electrode performed by mercury intrusion porosimetry.