Adafruit
MCP4725 Breakout Board - 12-Bit DAC w/I2C Interface
The MCP4725 breakout board provides a 12-bit digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) over I2C. Send a digital value and the VOUT pin outputs the corresponding an...
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The MCP4725 breakout board provides a 12-bit digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) over I2C. Send a digital value and the VOUT pin outputs the corresponding analogue voltage — ideal for generating waveforms, adjustable bias points, or anywhere you need a true analogue output rather than PWM.
The output is rail-to-rail and proportional to the supply voltage: 0–3.3 V when powered at 3.3 V, or 0–5 V at 5 V. An onboard EEPROM stores the last output value, automatically restoring it after a power cycle.
Key Features
- 12-Bit Resolution – 4096 steps of analogue output
- I2C Interface – Simple two-wire connection to any microcontroller
- Rail-to-Rail Output – Proportional to supply voltage (3.3 V or 5 V)
- EEPROM – Stores output voltage; restores on power-up
- Configurable Address – A0 pin broken out for running two DACs on one I2C bus
- Fast Mode I2C – Up to 3.4 Mbps for ~200 kHz output updates (on supported controllers)
- Breadboard Friendly – Includes 6-pin header
Specifications
- DAC: Microchip MCP4725
- Resolution: 12-bit
- Interface: I2C
- Supply Voltage: 3.3–5 V
- Output Range: 0 V to VDD (rail-to-rail)
Package Contents
- 1× MCP4725 12-Bit DAC Breakout Board
- 1× 6-pin header
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- 12-bit resolution
- 12-bit resolution means a value is represented with 12 binary digits, giving 4096 possible levels. For a sensor, analogue-to-digital converter or similar device, higher resolution divides the measured range into finer steps so smaller changes can be distinguished, provided the device's range and noise allow it.
- breakout
- A breakout board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny contacts.
- DAC
- A digital-to-analogue converter turns numbers from the microcontroller into a real analogue voltage. It matters if you want to generate simple waveforms, audio-style signals, or variable control voltages rather than just on/off outputs.
- EEPROM
- A type of non-volatile memory that keeps stored data even when power is turned off. In a sensor module, it can be used to store settings or calibration data so they do not need to be re-entered every time.
- 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.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.
- PWM
- Pulse Width Modulation is a way for a digital pin to simulate variable output power by switching on and off very quickly. It matters for controlling things like LED brightness, motor speed, or servo-style signals from a microcontroller pin.
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