<p>Developing high-performance rechargeable batteries requires a revolutionary advancement in battery materials, guided by a fundamental understanding of their underlying science and mechanisms. However, this task remains a challenge owing to the complex relationship among composition, structure and property in electrode and electrolyte materials. Ionic potential, a concept derived from geochemistry, has been incorporated into battery materials research since 2020 as a methodology for predicting and optimizing their functional properties. Defined as the ratio of charge number of an ion to its ionic radius, ionic potential serves as a measure of the interaction strength within the structure of a material. In this Perspective, we explore the role of ionic potential in guiding the design of advanced materials for rechargeable batteries. Specifically, we discuss how integrating ionic potential into material design frameworks can capture critical structural interactions, thereby enabling improvements in properties such as ionic conductivity, redox activity and phase transition behaviours. Furthermore, we identify the broader relevance of ionic potential in battery systems, highlighting its potential in advancing fundamental understanding and performance capabilities in battery technology.</p>