Shields
Shields are PCBs you can easily stack on development boards. The application circuits populated on shields add extra functionality to easily prototype a project. In general, these are called "daughter boards." The terminology and layout depends on the environment platform and form factor. Shields for Arduino typically use the Arduino Uno R3 footprint. However, shields can have a different layout depending on the architecture. Stackable PCBs for the Raspberry Pi are referred to as HATs or pHATs while the BeagleBone refers to them as Capes. Check out our tutorial about shields for more information.
Getting Started with the MyoWare® 2.0 Muscle Sensor Ecosystem
The MyoWare® 2.0 Muscle Sensor, an Arduino-compatible, all-in-one electromyography (EMG) sensor from Advancer Technologies. In this tutorial, we will go over the features and related shields to connect the sensor to a muscle group.
Simultaneous RFID Tag Reader Hookup Guide
A basic guide to getting started with the RFID Tag Reader breakout and how to read and write multiple RFID tags over multiple feet!
Arduino Weather Shield Hookup Guide V12
Read humidity, pressure and luminosity quickly and easily. Add wind speed, direction and rain gauge for full weather station capabilities.
Qwiic Shield for Arduino & Photon Hookup Guide
Get started with our Qwiic ecosystem with the Qwiic shield for Arduino or Photon.
TeensyView Hookup Guide
A guide to using the TeensyView OLED board to display text and graphics.
LTE Cat M1/NB-IoT Shield Hookup Guide
The SparkFun LTE CAT M1/NB-IoT Shield equips your Arduino or Arduino-compatible microcontroller with access to data networks across the globe. This shield adds wireless, high-bandwidth cellular functionality to your IoT project!
Spectrum Shield Hookup Guide (v2)
Want your project to react to music? Then the SparkFun Spectrum Shield is the product for you! Get going in no time with this Hookup Guide.
SparkFun Arduino ProtoShield Hookup Guide
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.
Getting Started with the SmartLED Shield for Teensy
In this tutorial, we will connect different RGB LED matrix panels to PixelMatix's SmartLED shield and Teensy.
Dialog ULP WiFi DA16200 R3 Shield Hookup Guide
Add WiFi to your project with this hookup guide for our Dialog's Ultra Low Power DA16200 R3 shield!
MicroSD Shield and SD Breakout Hookup Guide
Adding external storage in the form of an SD or microSD card can be a great addition to any project. Learn how in this hookup guide for the microSD shield and SD breakout boards.
SparkFun ESP32 DMX to LED Shield
Learn how to utilize your DMX to LED Shield in a variety of different ways.
SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Thing Plus Hookup Guide
A short guide for assembling and using the SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Thing Plus.
What is an Arduino?
What is this 'Arduino' thing anyway? This tutorials dives into what an Arduino is and along with Arduino projects and widgets.
Thumb Joystick Hookup Guide
Whether you're blasting aliens, driving a robot, or write your awesome classic Arcade Game for your Arduino, you'll find the analog thumb joystick a very useful addition to your projects!
SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Teensy Hookup Guide
A short guide for assembling and using the SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Teensy and Qwiic Shield for Teensy Extended.
SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino Nano Hookup Guide
Hookup Guide for the SparkFun Qwiic Shield for Arduino Nano.
CAN-BUS Shield Hookup Guide
A basic introduction to working with the CAN-Bus shield.
XBee Shield Hookup Guide
How to get started with an XBee Shield and Explorer. Create a remote-control Arduino!
Arduino Shields v2
An update to our classic Arduino Shields Tutorial! All things Arduino shields. What they are and how to assemble them.
Wireless Motor Driver Shield Hookup Guide
Get started with the SparkFun Wireless Motor Driver Shield!
Teensy Arduino Shield Adapter Hookup Guide
A basic introduction and assembly guide for the SparkFun Teensy Arduino Shield Adapter.
Ardumoto Kit Hookup Guide
Learn how to assemble and drive DC motors using the v2.0 Ardumoto Shield.
ESP8266 WiFi Shield Hookup Guide
Interface your Arduino with an ESP8266 to give it inexpensive access to your WiFi network and the Internet!
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.