Adafruit VL53L0X Time of Flight Distance Sensor - ~30 to 1000mm
We have ✅ 49 available of the AF-3317 in our Sydney warehouse. An extra 100 units available with a short lead time.
The Adafruit VL53L0X is a Time-of-Flight (ToF) distance sensor from ST that uses an invisible laser to measure distances from approximately 50 mm to 1200 mm. By timing how long the laser light takes to bounce back, it delivers precise distance readings without the linearity issues or double-imaging problems found in IR reflectance sensors.
The narrow laser beam measures only the surface directly in front of the sensor, making it far more focused than ultrasonic sensors. The breakout includes a 2.8V regulator and level shifting, so it works with any 3–5V microcontroller over I2C.
Key Features
- Time-of-Flight Measurement – Invisible laser ranging for precise, reliable distance data
- ~50 to 1200 mm Range – Suitable for medium-range distance sensing
- Narrow Sensing Cone – Focused laser beam measures only the surface directly ahead
- I2C Interface – Based on ST's VL53L0X API with Adafruit Arduino wrapper library
- 3–5V Compatible – On-board 2.8V regulator and level shifting
- Compact Breakout – Small PCB suitable for robotics and interactive projects
Compared To Other ToF Sensors
- vs VL6180X – The VL6180X measures 5–200 mm (closer range) and includes a light sensor; the VL53L0X covers 50–1200 mm for longer distances
Ideal For
- Robotics obstacle detection and navigation
- Gesture and proximity sensing
- Level and fill measurement
- Interactive installations and displays
Package Contents
- 1× Adafruit VL53L0X ToF Distance Sensor Breakout (assembled and tested)
- 1× Header strip (requires soldering)
Resources
- Adafruit VL53L0X Tutorial – Code, schematics, wiring diagrams, and more
The Adafruit VL53L0X Time of Flight Distance Sensor - ~30 to 1000mm appears in the following collections:
