Adafruit
Adafruit RGB Matrix Bonnet for Raspberry Pi
The Adafruit RGB Matrix Bonnet makes it easy to drive HUB75-type RGB LED matrices directly from your Raspberry Pi. Simply plug the bonnet onto any Pi with a ...
The Adafruit RGB Matrix Bonnet makes it easy to drive HUB75-type RGB LED matrices directly from your Raspberry Pi. Simply plug the bonnet onto any Pi with a 40-pin GPIO header, connect your matrix via the IDC cable, attach a 5 V power supply, and run the provided Python code to create colourful scrolling displays and mini LED walls.
The bonnet comes fully assembled with built-in level shifters (3.3 V to 5.0 V) and power protection circuitry, so there's no soldering required and no risk of accidental damage from incorrect power connections.
Key Features
- Fully Assembled – No soldering required; plugs directly onto the Pi's 2×20 GPIO header
- Power Protection – Built-in circuitry guards against negative, over, or under-voltage from the 5 V supply
- Onboard Level Shifters – Converts the Pi's 3.3 V logic to 5.0 V for clean, glitch-free matrix driving
- HUB75 Compatible – Works with 16×32, 32×32, 32×64, and (with a small solder jumper) 64×64 RGB LED matrices
- Chainable Displays – Connect multiple matrices together for longer displays (tested up to 32×128)
Compatibility
- Supported Pi Models – Raspberry Pi Zero, Zero W/WH, Model A+, B+, Pi 2, Pi 3, and Pi 4 (any 40-pin GPIO header model)
- Not Compatible – Older 26-pin models (original Model A or B)
- Matrix Type – HUB75 RGB matrices only (not for NeoPixel, DotStar, or other addressable LEDs)
Ideal For
- Scrolling text displays and signage
- Mini LED video walls and art installations
- Information dashboards and status boards
- Event and retail display projects
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit RGB Matrix Bonnet for Raspberry Pi (fully assembled)
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- GPIO
- General-purpose input/output pins are microcontroller pins you can set in software to read signals, switch devices on and off, or connect to peripherals. The number of GPIO pins matters because it limits how many buttons, LEDs, sensors, and other parts you can wire directly to the board.
- HUB75
- HUB75 is a common connector and signalling standard used by many RGB LED matrix panels. If a controller supports HUB75, it can plug into compatible matrix panels without custom wiring, but you still need to match the panel size and power requirements.
- 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.
- NeoPixel
- A type of addressable LED system where colour data is sent along a single digital data line from one LED or controller to the next. Compatibility matters because the timing and signal format must match for the lights or driver board to respond correctly.
- RGB
- Short for red, green and blue, usually referring to an LED that can mix those three colours. It matters because controlling an RGB LED teaches how separate outputs combine to create different colours.
- solder jumper
- A solder jumper is a small pair or group of pads on a circuit board that can be bridged or cut with solder to change a hardware setting. It matters because changing modes may require careful soldering rather than just changing software.
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