micro:bit Sensors

Buttons are a very common input device. Your micro:bit has two buttons you can program, and a reset button.

An LED, or light-emitting diode is an output device that gives off light. Your BBC micro:bit has a display of 25 LEDs for you to program.

A light sensor is an input device that measures light levels. Your BBC micro:bit uses the LEDs to sense the levels of light and lets you program your micro:bit as a light sensor.

An accelerometer is a motion sensor that measures movement. The accelerometer in your BBC micro:bit detects when you tilt it left to right, backwards and forwards and up and down.

A temperature sensor is an input device that measures temperature. Your BBC micro:bit has a temperature sensor inside the processor which can give you an approximation of the air temperature.

A digital compass is an input sensor that detects magnetic fields. Your BBC micro:bit has an inbuilt compass that can detect the direction in which it is facing.

Radio is a way of sending and receiving messages and BBC micro:bits can use radio waves to communicate with each other.

The new micro:bit has a built-in microphone. You can use it as a simple input - make your micro:bit turn the lights on when you clap. It can also measure the amount of sound, so you can make a noise level meter or disco lights that beat in time with music.

If you have the the new micro:bit, you can use the gold logo as another input in your projects. It's like having an extra button.