# Adafruit Mini 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Blue

**Type:** Product page · **SKU:** ADA959 · **Brand:** [Adafruit](https://core-electronics.com.au/brands/adafruit-australia)
**Page:** https://core-electronics.com.au/adafruit-mini-8x8-led-matrix-w-i2c-backpack-blue.html ([markdown](https://core-electronics.com.au/adafruit-mini-8x8-led-matrix-w-i2c-backpack-blue.html.md))

What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an 8x8 matrix or a 4-digit 7-segment display. Matrices like these are...

## Pricing

- **Price:** $21.45 (inc GST) — $19.50 AUD, exc GST
- **Quantity discounts:** 10+ $18.92 (exc GST) · 50+ $18.53 (exc GST)

## Availability & dispatch

- Available with a lead time — expect dispatch between Aug 19 and Aug 24.

## Description

What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://core-electronics.com.au/#) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://core-electronics.com.au/#). Matrices like these are 'multiplexed' - so to control 64 LEDs you need 16 pins. That's a lot of pins, and there are [driver chips like the MAX7219](https://core-electronics.com.au/max7219cng-led-matrix-digit-display-driver-max7219.html) that can control a matrix for you but there's a lot of wiring to set up and they take up a ton of space. Here at Adafruit Adafruit feel your pain! After all, wouldn't it be awesome if you could control a matrix without tons of wiring? That's where these adorable LED matrix backpacks come in. Adafruit have them in two flavors - [a mini 8x8](https://core-electronics.com.au/#) and a [4-digit 0.56" 7-segment](https://core-electronics.com.au/#). They work perfectly with the matrices Adafruit stock in the Adafruit shop and make adding a bright little display trivial.

The matrices use a driver chip that does all the heavy lifting for you: They have a built in clock so they multiplex the display. They use constant-current drivers for ultra-bright, consistent color (**the images above are photographed at the dimmest setting to avoid overloading Adafruit's camera!**), 1/16 step display dimming, all via a simple I2C interface. The backpacks come with address-selection jumpers so you can connect up to four mini 8x8's or eight 7-segments (or a combination, such as four mini 8x8's and four 7-segments, etc) on a single I2C bus.

The product kit comes with:

- A fully tested and assembled LED backpack
- [Ultra-bright 8x8 blue matrix](https://core-electronics.com.au/miniature-8x8-blue-led-matrix-bl-m07c881b-21.html)
- 4-pin header

A bit of soldering is required to attach the matrix onto the backpack but its very easy to do and only takes about 5 minutes.

Of course, in classic Adafruit fashion, We also have a detailed tutorial showing you how to solder, wire and control the display. They even wrote [a very nice library for the backpacks so you can get running in under half an hour, displaying images on the matrix or numbers on the 7-segment](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-LED-Backpack-Library). If you've been eyeing matrix displays but hesitated because of the complexity, this is the solution you've been looking for!

## Technical Details

- This board/chip uses I2C 7-bit address between 0x70-0x73, selectable with jumpers

Of course, in classic Adafruit fashion, We also have a detailed tutorial showing you how to solder, wire and control the display. They even wrote [a very nice library for the backpacks so you can get running in under half an hour, displaying images on the matrix or numbers on the 7-segment](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-LED-Backpack-Library). If you've been eyeing matrix displays but hesitated because of the complexity, his is the solution you've been looking for!

**Backpack Dimensions**:

- 20mm x 28mm x 4mm / 0.8" x 1.1" x 0.2"
- Mounting Holes: 12mm x 22mm / 0.5" x 0.9"

[Datasheets, schematic, EagleCAD PCB files, and Fritzing available in the product tutorial](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-led-backpack/downloads)

 ![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/rohs_icon_8216055e11.jpg)

## Images

- [Product image 1](https://core-electronics.com.au/media/catalog/product/9/5/959-00.jpg)