Overview
The WS2812B is an intelligent control LED light source that integrates a control circuit and RGB chip into a single 5050 surface-mount package. Its internal structure includes an intelligent digital-port data latch and signal reshaping amplification drive circuit, as well as a precision internal oscillator and a 12V programmable constant-current output driver.
The current major hardware revision (v5.0 / WS2812B-V5) includes built-in reverse power protection, 12 mA channel drive current, and requires a > 280 µs reset pulse to latch frame data.
Quick reference
Supply voltage (VDD) | 3.7 V – 5.3 V (Nominal 5.0 V) |
| Logic input voltage | 0.7 · VDD (High) / 0.3 · VDD (Low) |
| Color depth | 24-bit (8 bits per channel: G, R, B) |
Reset pulse width (RES) | > 280 µs (v5.0) / 50 µs (v1.0) |
| Reverse power protection | Integrated (v5.0) |
| Package | 5050 SMD (5.0 mm × 5.0 mm) |
Terminals
WS2812B 4-Pin 5050 Package
| Pin | Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VDD | Power | Power supply voltage (3.7 V – 5.3 V DC) |
| 2 | DOUT | Digital Output | Control data signal output (daisy-chain to next pixel DIN) |
| 3 | VSS | Power | Ground (0 V) |
| 4 | DIN | Digital Input | Control data signal input |
Specifications
| Parameter | Symbol | Min | Typ | Max | Unit | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supply Voltage | VDD | 3.7 | 5.0 | 5.3 | V | |
| Input High Voltage | VIH | 0.7 · VDD | — | VDD + 0.5 | V | DIN pin |
| Input Low Voltage | VIL | -0.5 | — | 0.3 · VDD | V | DIN pin |
| Channel Current | IOUT | 10.8 | 12.0 | 13.2 | mA | Per channel (v5.0) |
| Red Wavelength | λd(R) | 620 | 622.5 | 625 | nm | IF = 12 mA |
| Green Wavelength | λd(G) | 515 | 520 | 525 | nm | IF = 12 mA |
| Blue Wavelength | λd(B) | 465 | 467.5 | 470 | nm | IF = 12 mA |
Communication protocol
- Data order: GRB (Green, Red, Blue), 8 bits MSB first per channel. Total 24 bits per LED.
- Data transmission speed: 800 kbps.
Timing waveforms
| Signal | Description | Min | Typ | Max | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T0H | 0-code, high-level time | 220 | 250 | 380 | ns |
T0L | 0-code, low-level time | 580 | 1000 | 1600 | ns |
T1H | 1-code, high-level time | 580 | 900 | 1000 | ns |
T1L | 1-code, low-level time | 220 | 550 | 1000 | ns |
RES | Reset code (low level) | 280 | — | — | µs |
Wiring
| WS2812B Strip / Board | → | Power Supply / MCU |
|---|---|---|
VDD (+5V) | +5 V External Power Supply | |
VSS (GND) | GND (Common Ground with MCU) | |
DIN | GPIO Pin via 300 Ω – 500 Ω resistor |
Common mistakes
- 50 µs vs 280 µs reset pulse: Driving v5.0 LEDs with legacy 50 µs latch timings will cause data corruption or flickering. Ensure software output drivers emit a reset pulse of at least 280 µs.
- Missing Common Ground: Operating the LED strip on an external 5V supply without connecting the power supply ground to the MCU ground causes corrupted signal timing and random flickering.
- Driving 5V logic expectations from 3.3V MCUs: WS2812B inputs specify
VIH= 0.7 ×VDD. Use a high-speed non-inverting level shifter (e.g. 74AHCT125) for 3.3V MCUs.
Revision history
- v5.0 / WS2812B-V5 (Current): Major hardware redesign — adds internal reverse power connection protection, lowers channel current to 12 mA for thermal efficiency, and increases recommended reset pulse to > 280 µs.
- v2.0 – v4.0 (Datasheet PDF Revisions): Incremental Worldsemi datasheet revisions (V2.0, V3.0, V4.0) updating test conditions, ESD ratings, and progressively updating reset pulse guidance from 50 µs to 280 µs ahead of the V5 hardware release.
- v1.0 (Deprecated): Original 4-pin WS2812B silicon release — 20 mA channel current, 50 µs reset pulse. See revision 1.0.
Assets & downloads
- WS2812B breakout moduleimageimage/webp
- datasheetdatasheet
- product-pagereference