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micro:bit Board
The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that lets you get creative with digital technology. Each order contains just the micro:bit board. You can code, customize and control your micro:bit from anywhere! You can use your micro:bit for all sorts of unique creations, from robots to musical instruments and more. At half the size of a credit card, you will be surprised at the amount of hardware each board is equipped with, including 25 red LED lights that can flash messages. There are two programmable buttons that can be used to control games or pause and skip songs on a playlist. The micro:bit can even detect motion and tell you which direction you’re heading. It can also use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to interact with other devices and the Internet.
Taking a closer look at the front of the board, we can see the 5x5 LED array that you can use as a light sensor, a tiny screen to draw on, display words, numbers and other information, and the two programmable buttons! On the back of the board you will find the brains of the micro:bit, a 16MHz, 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller with 256KB Flash, 16KB RAM and a built-in temperature sensor. Additionally, the back of the micro:bit is populated by an accelerometer, compass and Bluetooth Smart antenna, as well as a microUSB and two-pin JST connector for different power options. Finally, at the bottom of the board you will find 20 gold-tabbed edge pins and five ring connectors (three for digital/analog I/O, two for power and ground) for hooking up external components. The tabs with larger holes can be easily used with alligator clips to prototype added components quickly.
Micro:bit has even supplied an intuitive mobile app that lets you send your code to your micro:bit over Bluetooth (without using a USB cable) and more. With this app you will be able to interact with your micro:bit on a higher level of accessibility.
Important: The micro:bit does not include any cables or power sources. This is just the board. We recommend picking up a micro:bit AA battery holder or a micro USB cable as well to power your board.
- 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 CPU
- 256KB Flash
- 16KB RAM
- 5x5 Red LED Array
- Two Programmable Buttons
- Onboard Light, Compass, Accelerometer and Temp Sensors
- BLE Smart Antenna
- Three Digital/Analog Input/Output Rings
- Two Power Rings --- 3V and GND
- 20-pin Edge Connector
- MicroUSB Connector
- JST-PH Battery Connector (Not JST-XH)
- Reset Button with Status LED
micro:bit Board Product Help and Resources
micro:bit Educator Lab Pack Experiment Guide
May 8, 2018
A quickstart guide for the micro:bit educator lab pack.
Gator:color ProtoSnap Hookup Guide
October 18, 2018
Clip some LED's onto your gator:bit with the gator:color.
Getting Started with MicroPython and the SparkFun Inventor's Kit for micro:bit
July 11, 2017
Learn MicroPython with the micro:bit.
How to Load MicroPython on a Microcontroller Board
September 4, 2018
This tutorial will show you how to load the MicroPython interpreter onto a variety of development boards.
SparkFun Inventor's Kit for micro:bit Experiment Guide
July 21, 2017
This guide contains all the information you will need to explore the twelve circuits of the SparkFun Inventors Kit for micro:bit.
micro:bot Kit Experiment Guide
February 20, 2020
Get started with the moto:bit, a carrier board for the micro:bit that allows you to control motors, and create your own robot using this experiment guide for the micro:bot kit.
Wireless Remote Control with micro:bit
January 21, 2019
In this tutorial, we will utilize the MakeCode radio blocks to have the one micro:bit transmit a signal to a receiving micro:bit on the same channel. Eventually, we will control a micro:bot wirelessly using parts from the arcade:kit!
Wireless Remote Weather Station with micro:bit
May 11, 2020
Monitor the weather without being exposed to it through wireless communication between two micro:bits using the radio blocks! This is useful if your weather station is installed in a location that is difficult to retrieve data from the OpenLog. We will also explore a few different ways to send and receive data.
Getting Started with the micro:bit
September 2, 2021
The BBC micro:bit is a compact, powerful programming tool that requires no software installation. Read on to learn how to use it YOUR way!
SparkFun gator:bit v2 Hookup Guide
January 31, 2019
The gator:bit v2 is a breakout board for the BBC micro:bit. The gator:bit exposes almost every pin on the micro:bit to clippable pad with circuit protection. It also has as built-in addressable LEDs and a built-in buzzer.
Yellow Power LED not on
The Yellow power LED will not light if the board is connected to battery power only.
Fritzing Part
If you are looking for a the micro:bit part in Fritzing, you can find one in topShed's GitHub repository .
Core Skill: Programming
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Rookie - You will need a better fundamental understand of what code is, and how it works. You will be using beginner-level software and development tools like Arduino. You will be dealing directly with code, but numerous examples and libraries are available. Sensors or shields will communicate with serial or TTL.
See all skill levels
Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
See all skill levels
Comments
Looking for answers to technical questions?
We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.
Customer Reviews
4.1 out of 5
Based on 10 ratings:
2 of 2 found this helpful:
Great for kids
The echo system around the micro:bit is perfect for kids.
My 9 years old is very excited. He is not the "Young Engineer" type, but he loves to draw on the 5x5 LED matrix, print numbers and messages, interact with buttons.
As he loves gardening, the goal is to use the soil moisture detector and print its reading on the microbit.
We are using the Microsoft Block editor, which is just like Scratch, together with Microsoft automatic uploader.
1 of 3 found this helpful:
Bluetooth pairing and flashing problems
I was looking forward to getting these for my kids as an intro to programming. I am trying to get familiar with it before I show them. I am using a Google Pixel C (Android 7.1.2) and it has been a absolute pain in the neck pairing and flashing these things.
I have used the "official" Samsung Electronics UK 'micro:bit' app and Martin Woolies 'micro:bit blue' app.
The Samsung app can pair, but after restarting the micro it sometimes reconnects... and even that is unstable. It frequently disconnects and I have to manually reconnect it. Further, to actually flash with the Samsung app, I have to put it in pairing mode and just "hope" that it succeeds. Putting it in pairing mode to flash it is not even documents anywhere! Also, there is no option to flash a file stored on my tablet. It will only use the ones from the website.
I can't tell how well the 'micro:bit blue' is communicating with the micro:bit, because I have to connect it to our desktop to flash their app to it... which I haven't done yet. However, the connectivity seems flaky there too. But I admit I haven't tried much more after finding out that it requires his apps to be installed to do anything at all... and it doesn't have the ability to flash them to the device itself.
Right now I am struggling to get the micro:bit to re-pair using the Samsung app. I tried to pair just via the table/Android settings, but the app doesn't recognize it even though the micro:bit shows the pairing was successful by displaying the check mark in the LED grid. Now, if I try via the Android Bluetooth settings, everything is successful, but the Samsung app pops up and says it isn't ?!?!
... This is so frustrating ...
I'm giving it two stars instead of one, because I'm "hoping" there is a solution. I can't imagine that this would be geared towards kids to get them interested in this stuff. Hopefully it is just my current setup.
Hello!
Sorry to hear about the issues with the Microbit.
Have you contacted our technical support department @ techsupport@sparkfun.com - they're usually great at helping to get things working, it may be something that they can help to fix.
Cute, easy to use and quite versatile, but may have some limitations where robotics is concerned!
The block language is ultra simple to learn and easy to use.
I am experiencing a problem when using its ability to measure a pilse width. I need to for example, connect to a Hc-SR04 ultrasonic transducer. However the duration of the echo pulse is read incorrectly yielding about 700 us when the actual period is about 1100us. I tested the microbit’s ability to measure an external pulse width, and it reads very inaccurately. I have logged a call with th help desk, but the info i am reciving rrom them is not helpful yet.
Regards John
Great for Kids to Learn
A couple of months back my nephew asked me if I could help him with his Science Project. He saw a few of the project I was working on: small rovers, some kind of clock, and an aquaponics system. He asked if I would help him build a rover. I was excited because it was an opportunity to get a kid into electronics that wasn't a screen. As he started to explain what he wanted to do, it became clear he wanted to make the Mars Rover. I knew he was young and didn't know what he didn't know so to him it was possible in two months. After some discussion, I had him simplify his project down an aspect of robotics. He chose to talk about actuators. As we looked at what we could do with linear actuators his heart became set on an automated xylophone. The scary part for me was choosing a microcontroller or single board computer that would be simple for him to program. I knew he was familiar with Scratch on the Raspberry Pi, but I didn't want him to have to set up a monitor mouse and keyboard at the fair with his project. As I pondered what could I use I remembered a new product post a while that featured the Micro Bit and the lets code platform. As I rewatched the post I knew I found the controller for his project. I then made the purchase. Not long after it came was he able to start the base programming. Through little coaching and his familiarity with Scratch, he was able to program the micro bit to play 3 songs: Marry Had a Little Lamb, Twinkle Twinkle little star, and Jingle Bells. We connected the micro bit to the xylophone apparatus; which was made of eight homemade solenoids and a children's toy xylophone. We then connected some of GPIOs to N Channel Mosfet to control the solenoids. The one sang on this was, if the N channel fet was connected to a GPIO that shared the LED matrix the gate was held open. This was the only downside I have found. Here is a video of this project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur4LeeBSdQI&feature=share I hope to produce an Instructable for it here shortly.
That is so cool!
Thanks for sharing your project with us. Keep us updated on how it goes, and we can't wait to see what you and your nephew come up with next!
Your friends at SparkFun. :-)
Bluetooth woes
Got this specifically for scratch, but of the multiple computers I have, only one seems to be about to connect to it though scratch link. Mac didn't work at all... Identical BT devices on two PC's and still only works on one of them. Needed better software support for this to be useful with scratch.
Capable and Well Documented
The Microbit is very capable, considering its low price. It's very well documented and is great for kids.
Super fun with the kiddos! (and/or for me)
The entire approach of using a browser based coding system with a trivial means to reprogram makes it even easier to do a quick project and also to provide STEM education to my children. I love that these have easy to use Bluetooth communication, which expands the sheer number of applications. We've already built a weather station (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/16274) and a motorized bus (inspired by https://www.hackster.io/gpteacher/microbit-bus-robot-car-025057) and my 9 year old is getting a great exposure to the possibilities of what software and electronics are all about.
Proud to own one.. Finally.🤓
HardwareXArt
A prelim. step towards building your own DefCon badge.
Timely, Good Condition, Full Package
I ordered the Micro:bit by express mail. The package arrived when I needed it and included everything I ordered. Nothing missing, nicely packaged, and in great working order. Love this place!
Best thing for education
micro:bit is the thing for education. Easy for programming with different tools (Scratch, JavaScript, MicroPython). I suggest to buy Sparkfun breakout board for micro:bit, and step into unlimited world of sensors and actuators :)
Heads up, all: the 2x AA battery pack that's currently listed as "purchased together" does not mate with the micro:bit, as its JST connector is too big. We are working on getting a battery pack that will work.
Shawn - I've been able to make a workable 2x AA battery pack with these two SFE products: Jumper Wire - JST Black Red PRT-08670 Battery Holder 2xAA with Cover and Switch PRT-09547 The result is a terrific mobile dev suite that I'm able to take into my fave Starbucks and sit in the "comfy" chair while tinkering with the micro:bit. Dave P.
Does this come with a cable and AA battery pack?
It does not, just the board.
The LED array can act as a light sensor? How does that work?
So glad you asked! https://www.sparkfun.com/news/2161 :)
I wanted to know if the USB cable and battery pack is included with the purchase, thanks
No, this is just the board.
Got mine last week. Cool little device. Paired it with Nexus 4. Programmed it with Surface. Even got the edge connector that works with it. Three cheers for the Brits.
Is there an ETA yet?
Got mine yesterday. It is a lot of fun and my kids can't wait for their turn to program it.
Suggest you list a mating connector as a recommended product.
I'm very interested in possible using these in a course. I'm seeing that overheating failure of the USB chip due to static damage and/or power switchover from battery to USB seems to be a complaint of early users, especially if they're using the boards with students. Does anyone know if there's a hardware revision forthcoming to limit these failures?
I'm also seeing reports of failures, possibly related to the fact that the GPIO pins only provide 5ma of current max and the board can only provide 90ma total for you to use with the edge connector, if all of the on board peripherals are in use. I posted on the SF product questions forum, so hopefully we'll get some feedback there - I have the same worries as you, except I've already bought them for my course. :)