💡How to Blink an LED with Arduino – Beginner's Guide with Code
Are you just getting started with Arduino and electronics?
One of the most iconic and simple projects you can begin with is blinking an LED. This project is perfect for beginners who want to understand how to use digital pins and get comfortable with writing basic Arduino code.
In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to blink an LED using an Arduino board in just a few minutes. You'll also find the exact code and a step-by-step explanation of how it works.
🚀 What You Need
Before diving into the code, make sure you have the following components:
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✅ Arduino Uno (or any other Arduino-compatible board)
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✅ LED (any color)
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✅ 220-ohm resistor
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✅ Breadboard & jumper wires
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✅ USB cable to connect Arduino to your computer
👉 Pro Tip: You can grab an Arduino Starter Kit from Plysmotix that includes all these components and more for future projects.
🔌 Circuit Diagram
Connect your components as follows:
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The longer leg (anode) of the LED goes to digital pin 13 via a 220-ohm resistor.
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The shorter leg (cathode) connects to GND on the Arduino.
Pin 13 on most Arduino boards already has a built-in resistor and LED, but using an external LED makes it more fun and visible.
💻 Arduino Code to Blink an LED
Here’s the simple code that turns the LED on and off every second:
🧠 How It Works
Let’s break down what’s happening:
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int ledPin = 13;tells the Arduino which pin the LED is connected to. -
setup()runs once and sets pin 13 as an output. -
loop()runs continuously:-
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);turns the LED on. -
delay(1000);waits for 1000 milliseconds (1 second). -
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);turns the LED off. -
Another 1-second delay keeps it off before looping again.
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🔄 The result? A blinking LED every 1 second!
💡 Why This Project Matters
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It’s your first step into embedded systems and IoT.
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You learn how to use digital pins and timing.
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It’s a great way to test your Arduino board is working correctly.
📈 Bonus Tips to Level Up
Once you've mastered this, try:
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Changing the delay to make the LED blink faster or slower.
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Connecting multiple LEDs and blinking them in patterns.
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Using a push button to control when the LED turns on/off.
👉 Check out our Top 10 Arduino Projects for Beginners to continue learning!
🧰 Troubleshooting
If your LED isn't blinking:
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Make sure your LED is the right way around (anode vs cathode).
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Double-check your connections.
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Make sure you're uploading the code to the right board and port in the Arduino IDE.
🤑 How to Monetize Your Arduino Skills
Did you know you can start freelancing Arduino projects, create YouTube tutorials, or sell custom kits and DIY gadgets online?
Explore platforms like:
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Upwork
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Fiverr
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Tindie (for hardware)
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Etsy (for custom electronics kits)
📝 Final Thoughts
This blink LED project might seem simple, but it’s the "Hello World" of hardware programming—and your gateway to building robots, smart home devices, and more.
💬 Got questions or want to share your version? Drop a comment below!
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for weekly Arduino tutorials and DIY electronics hacks!
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