# Photo cell (CdS photoresistor)

**Type:** Product page · **SKU:** ADA161 · **Brand:** [Adafruit](https://core-electronics.com.au/brands/adafruit-australia)
**Page:** https://core-electronics.com.au/photo-cell-cds-photoresistor.html ([markdown](https://core-electronics.com.au/photo-cell-cds-photoresistor.html.md))

CdS cells are little light sensors. As the squiggly face is exposed to more light, the resistance goes down. When its light, the resistance is about 5-10KΩ, when...

## Pricing

- **Price:** $1.90 (inc GST) — $1.73 AUD, exc GST
- **Quantity discounts:** 10+ $1.67 (exc GST) · 50+ $1.64 (exc GST)

## Availability & dispatch

- In stock, ships same business day if ordered before 2PM (Australia/Sydney).
- We can dispatch 2 today, and up to 500 more in 8–12 days.

## Description

CdS cells are little light sensors. As the squiggly face is exposed to more light, the resistance goes down. When its light, the resistance is about 5-10KΩ, when dark it goes up to 200KΩ.

To use, connect one side of the photo cell (either one, its symmetric) to power (for example 5V) and the other side to your microcontroller's analog input pin. Then connect a 10K pull-down resistor from that analog pin to ground. The voltage on the pin will be 2.5V or higher when its light out and near ground when its dark.

**CdS photocells are not RoHS compliant**, so[ if you need something equivalent but RoHS compiant, check out the photo transistor.](https://core-electronics.com.au/photo-transistor-light-sensor.html)

For a full tutorial with wiring diagrams, code examples and project ideas, please read the photocell tutorial page!

## Dimensions:

- Length: 4.46mm/0.18in
- Width: 5mm/0.20in
- Height: 2.09mm/0.08in
- Weight: 0.25g/0.01oz

## Videos for this product

- [Sparkfun Inventors Kit - Arduino Project with Light Circuit 1C](https://core-electronics.com.au/videos/sparkfun-inventors-kit-arduino-project-with-light-circuit-1c)

## Images

- [Product image 1](https://core-electronics.com.au/media/catalog/product/1/6/161-00.jpg)