Adafruit
Adafruit 7-Segment Backpack - 1.2 Tall Digits
Drive large 1.2" tall 7-segment displays with ease using this HT16K33-based I2C backpack. The updated design includes a built-in 5V boost converter so you ge...
Drive large 1.2" tall 7-segment displays with ease using this HT16K33-based I2C backpack. The updated design includes a built-in 5V boost converter so you get bright, consistent LED segments even when running from 3.3V power — no separate 5V supply needed. STEMMA QT / Qwiic connectors provide plug-and-play I2C connectivity.
The backpack handles all multiplexing over I2C, keeping your wiring simple. Stackable design with address jumpers lets you run up to 8 backpacks on the same two I2C wires.
Key Features
- HT16K33 I2C LED Driver – Simple I2C control with no additional pins required
- Built-In 5V Boost Converter – Bright LEDs from 3.3V or 5V power
- STEMMA QT / Qwiic Connectors – Plug-and-play I2C with no soldering for the data connection
- Stackable – Address jumpers allow up to 8 backpacks on the same I2C bus
- For 1.2" 7-Segment Displays – Large, readable digits
- Arduino and CircuitPython Support – Ready-to-use LED Backpack library
Ideal For
- Large clocks and timers
- Score displays and counters
- Temperature and sensor readouts
- Any project needing large, visible numeric display
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit 7-Segment Backpack for 1.2" Displays (assembled and tested)
- 1× Header strip
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- Address jumpers
- Address jumpers are small solder pads or links used to change a device’s bus address. They matter when you want to connect multiple identical displays to the same controller without their addresses conflicting.
- boost converter
- A boost converter is a power circuit that raises a lower input voltage to a higher output voltage. It matters here because the board can power a sensor that needs a higher supply voltage while still using a single connector for power and data.
- CircuitPython
- A beginner-friendly version of Python designed to run directly on microcontroller boards. If a product supports CircuitPython, you can often program it by copying code files onto the board rather than setting up a more complex toolchain.
- I2C
- I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode is a small electronic component that lights up when current flows through it in the correct direction. In this kit, LEDs create the flashing effect, so polarity and correct soldering matter for the project to work.
- LED driver
- An LED driver is a control chip or circuit that supplies and switches power to LEDs. For a display board, it reduces the number of microcontroller pins needed and handles tasks like lighting the right segments and adjusting brightness.
- Qwiic
- Qwiic is a plug-in connector system for I2C devices that uses small 4-pin cables, so you can connect compatible sensors without soldering. It matters because your controller or adapter also needs Qwiic, or you will need a cable or breakout to wire it up.
- STEMMA
- A plug-and-cable connection system used on some maker electronics boards to make wiring simpler. If a product uses STEMMA, you need the matching cable or connector type to plug it in without soldering.
- STEMMA QT
- A small plug-in connector system for I2C boards that lets you connect compatible sensors and controllers without soldering. It matters because it can make wiring faster and less error-prone, especially when adding several small modules to a project.
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Related Tutorials
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