Prototyping
1W LoRa MicroMod Function Board Hookup Guide
November 11, 2021
Everything you need to get started with the 1W LoRa MicroMod function board; a MicroMod function board that provides LoRa capabilities for your MicroMod project. Must be used in conjunction with a MicroMod main board and processor.
8-Pin SOIC to DIP Adapter Hookup Guide
August 13, 2015
Assembly and application of the 8-pin SOIC-to-DIP adapter.
Advanced Autonomous Kit for Sphero RVR Assembly Guide
December 12, 2019
Get your Advanced Autonomous Kit for the Sphero RVR built up with this hookup guide!
Basic Autonomous Kit for Sphero RVR Assembly Guide
December 12, 2019
Get your Basic Autonomous Kit for Sphero RVR all hooked up with this guide!
Beefcake Relay Control Hookup Guide
June 2, 2016
This is a guide for assembling and basic use of the Beefcake Relay Control board
Beginner Parts Kit Identification Guide
March 22, 2019
The essential parts for beginning (or even experienced) hobbyists that gives you all of the basic through-hole components you will need to get started playing with embedded projects. We'll identify a few parts in the kit and provide a few basic circuits to get started!
Build a Qwiic Jukebox that is Toddler Approved!
March 29, 2019
Follow this tutorial to build your own custom jukebox. Note, this is designed simple and tough for use primarily with toddlers. It's also a great introduction to SparkFun's Qwiic products!
Capacitor Kit Identification Guide
October 1, 2015
Learn how to identify and use a variety of capacitors using the SparkFun Capacitor Kit.
Discrete Semiconductor Kit Identification Guide
November 19, 2015
Get to know the contents of the SparkFun Discrete Semiconductor Kit.
ESP32 Thing Plus Hookup Guide
March 7, 2019
Hookup guide for the ESP32 Thing Plus (Micro-B) using the ESP32 WROOM's WiFi/Bluetooth system-on-chip in Arduino.
Fuse Breakout Board Hookup Guide
October 3, 2019
Protect your project by adding a fuse in your circuit to save it from molten destruction.
Garmin LIDAR-Lite v4 (Qwiic) Hookup Guide
April 15, 2021
Connecting the Garmin LIDAR-Lite v4 to a microcontroller just got easier! Check out our hookup guide to get started.
Getting Started with the Artemis Development Kit
September 10, 2020
This guide covers the general design of the board, the installation of the recommended software used to program the Artemis DK, and some basic examples. For more advanced functionalities, we have separate software development guides for the AmbiqSDK, Arm® Mbed™ OS, and the Arduino IDE platforms that users can reference.
Getting Started with the Autonomous Kit for the Sphero RVR
December 13, 2019
Want to get started in robotics? Look no further than the SparkFun autonomous kit for the Sphero RVR! Whether you purchased the Basic or Advanced kit, this tutorial will get you rolling...
How to Use a Breadboard
May 14, 2013
Welcome to the wonderful world of breadboards. Here we will learn what a breadboard is and how to use one to build your very first circuit.
Large Solderable Breadboard Hookup Guide
February 27, 2014
This breadboard has a couple of tricks up it's sleeve!
LilyPad Basics: Powering Your Project
September 24, 2018
Learn the options for powering your LilyPad projects, LiPo battery safety and care, and how to calculate and consider power constraints on your projects.
MicroMod All The Pins (ATP) Carrier Board
October 21, 2020
Access All The Pins (ATP) of the MicroMod Processor Board with the Carrier Board!
microSD Sniffer Hookup Guide
August 4, 2015
A basic introduction to working with the microSD Sniffer.
MyoWare Muscle Sensor Kit
March 17, 2016
Line of products to work with the MyoWare muscle sensor from Advancer Technologies.
Pi Servo pHAT (v2) Hookup Guide
July 11, 2019
This hookup guide will get you started with connecting and using the Pi Servo pHAT on a Raspberry Pi.
Preassembled 40-pin Pi Wedge Hookup Guide
October 29, 2015
Using the Preassembled Pi Wedge to prototype with the Raspberry Pi B+.
Proto Pedal Assembly and Theory Guide
September 22, 2016
Getting started with the SparkFun Proto Pedal. We'll assemble the board, then discuss some of the details of the circuit.
Proto Pedal Chassis Hookup Guide
September 22, 2016
Prepare the Proto Pedal Chassis by drilling holes for controls and painting it.
Proto Pedal Example: Analog Equalizer Project
September 22, 2016
Building a gyrator-based analog equalizer using the Proto Pedal.
Proto Pedal Example: Programmable Digital Pedal
September 22, 2016
Building a pedal around the Teensy 3.2 and Teensy Audio shield. Changing the effect in the pedal is as easy as uploading a new sketch!
Prototype Wearable LED Dance Harness
February 8, 2018
A project tutorial to add an extra effect for dancers performing a choreographed piece. The harness can be added quickly under a costume.
Qwiic 12-Bit ADC Hookup Guide
May 23, 2019
Need to add more analog inputs for your project? Check out the Qwiic 12-bit ADC.
Qwiic Distance Sensor (VL53L1X, VL53L4CD) Hookup Guide
February 10, 2022
The Qwiic Distance Sensor - VL53L1X is a time of flight sensor that is capable of several modes, as well as having a range of 4M. It's cousin VL53L4CD is also a time of flight sensor with similar characteristics but it has a range of about 1.3M. Let's hook it up and find out just how far away that thing over there is.
Qwiic MUX Hookup Guide
July 19, 2018
Have a bunch of sensors with the same I2C address? Put them on the Qwiic MUX (TCA9548A) to get them all talking on the same bus!
Qwiic Shield for Arduino & Photon Hookup Guide
October 19, 2017
Get started with our Qwiic ecosystem with the Qwiic shield for Arduino or Photon.
Qwiic SHIM for Raspberry Pi Hookup Guide
December 5, 2019
Ever wanted to prototype I2C components on a Pi? Now you can!
Raspberry Pi 4 Kit Hookup Guide
March 14, 2020
Guide for hooking up your Raspberry Pi 4 Model B basic, desktop, or hardware starter kit together.
Reading and Writing Serial EEPROMs
August 11, 2017
EEPROM is a great way to add extra memory to your microcontroller project. Wait 'til you see how easy it is to use!
RedBoard Plus Hookup Guide
July 1, 2021
This tutorial covers the basic functionality of the RedBoard Plus. This tutorial also covers how to get started blinking an LED and using the Qwiic system.
RedBoard Qwiic Hookup Guide
January 10, 2019
This tutorial covers the basic functionality of the RedBoard Qwiic. This tutorial also covers how to get started blinking an LED and using the Qwiic system.
SAMD51 Thing Plus Hookup Guide
May 24, 2019
This tutorial covers the basic functionality of the SAMD51 Thing Plus and highlights the features of the new ARM Cortex-M4F development board.
Satellite Transceiver Breakout - Swarm M138 - Hookup Guide
April 22, 2022
A hookup guide for the Satellite Transceiver Breakout - Swarm M138 (SPX-19236)
Single Supply Logic Level Converter Hookup Guide
August 9, 2018
The Single Supply Logic Converter allows you to bi-directionally translate signals from a 5V or 3.3V microcontroller without the need for a second power supply! The board provides an output for both 5V and 3.3V to power your sensors. It is equipped with a PTH resistor footprint for the option to adjust the voltage regulator on the low side of the TXB0104 for 2.5V or 1.8V devices.
SparkFun Arduino ProtoShield Hookup Guide
May 17, 2018
The SparkFun Arduino ProtoShield PCB and ProtoShield kit lets you customize your own Arduino shield using whatever custom circuit you can come up with! This tutorial will go over its features, hardware assembly, and how to use the shield with an Arduino R3 footprint.
SparkFun ProDriver Hookup Guide
September 3, 2020
The SparkFun ProDriver utilizes Toshiba's TC78H670FTG stepper motor driver and with the latch pin connections, this new board is easier to get started with than the "Easy" Drivers. To get started, follow this hookup guide and you will be spinning stepper motors, in no time.
SparkFun Qwiic GPIO Hookup Guide
October 8, 2020
Add up to 8 extra I/O pins to your microcontroller with the SparkFun Qwiic GPIO. Get started with the Qwiic GPIO in this Hookup Guide.
SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino Nano Hookup Guide
January 30, 2020
Hookup Guide for the SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino Nano.
SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Teensy Hookup Guide
October 15, 2020
A short guide for assembling and using the SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Teensy and Qwiic Shield for Teensy Extended.
SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Thing Plus Hookup Guide
January 30, 2020
A short guide for assembling and using the SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Thing Plus.
SparkFun Satellite Transceiver Kit - Swarm M138 Hookup Guide
December 1, 2022
A hookup guide for the SparkFun Satellite Transceiver - Swarm M138 (KIT-21287)
Temperature Sensor Comparison
March 18, 2020
A comparison of analog and digital temperature sensors. Which is better?
Using the Arduino Pro Mini 3.3V
September 5, 2013
This tutorial is your guide to all things Arduino Pro Mini. It explains what it is, what it's not, and how to get started using it.
Variable Load Hookup Guide - Revised
May 25, 2018
This tutorial will show you how to assemble and use SparkFun's Variable Load board. It can be used to test stability of the power supply under various loads, battery lifetime, safety cutoffs, and other design elements of power supplies under test.
Old Tutorials
Looking for the old, archived tutorials? Head on over to the
archived tutorials on the main
SparkFun site.
Please be aware that the tutorials you find there are no longer
actively maintained.