Adafruit
Adafruit 8x16 LED Matrix FeatherWing w/o Matrices
Create a compact 8×16 LED matrix display for any Feather board with this FeatherWing driver. The HT16K33 I2C driver handles all multiplexing for two 0.8" min...
Create a compact 8×16 LED matrix display for any Feather board with this FeatherWing driver. The HT16K33 I2C driver handles all multiplexing for two 0.8" mini 8×8 LED matrices (128 LEDs total), controlled over just two I2C pins. Works with any Adafruit Feather board.
The FeatherWing is perfect for scrolling text displays, bitmap emoticons, small animations, or compact status indicators. The portable library makes it easy to turn individual LEDs on and off or display scrolling messages.
Key Features
- 8×16 LED Matrix Driver – Controls two 0.8" 8×8 matrices (128 LEDs total)
- HT16K33 I2C LED Driver – Simple I2C control with no additional pins required
- Universal Feather Compatibility – Works with any Adafruit Feather board
- Shared I2C Bus – Can coexist with other I2C sensors and displays
- Arduino and CircuitPython Support – Ready-to-use LED Backpack library
Ideal For
- Scrolling text and message displays
- Bitmap emoticons and simple animations
- Compact status indicators
- Small video displays and pixel art
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit 8×16 LED Matrix FeatherWing (assembled and tested)
- 2× 16-pin headers
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 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.
- FeatherWing
- A FeatherWing is an add-on board made to plug into the Feather microcontroller board layout. Knowing a product is a FeatherWing helps you check whether it will physically and electrically fit your Feather-style mainboard.
- Headers
- Rows of metal pins used to plug a module into a breadboard or connect it with jumper wires. Pre-soldered headers make the module easier to use straight away without needing to solder the pins yourself.
- 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.
Find this product in
Brands
Displays & Screens
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au