Can I connect a 5V sensor output directly to ESP32 or Raspberry Pi?

No, not if the signal output is 5V. ESP32 and Raspberry Pi GPIO pins are 3.3V logic. Use a level shifter or voltage divider for 5V outputs.

What is the common pin order for sensor modules?

Many modules use VCC, signal and GND, but there is no universal order. Always read the board label before wiring.

Which sensors commonly need pull-up resistors?

Bare DHT sensors and DS18B20 sensors commonly need pull-up resistors on the data line. I2C modules usually already include pull-ups, but this depends on the breakout board.

Common Sensor Pinout Reference | Arduino ESP32 Raspberry Pi Sensor Wiring

Common Sensor Pinout Reference

Quick pinout reference for common Arduino, ESP32 and Raspberry Pi sensors — DHT11/DHT22, HC-SR04, PIR, DS18B20, BME280, MPU6050, OLED, RC522, MQ gas, soil moisture and more.

⚠️ Wiring safety: Sensor modules do not all use the same pin order. Always check the label on the board. A 5V sensor output may damage 3.3V GPIO pins on ESP32 and Raspberry Pi.

🧭 Common sensor module pinout pattern

📌 Quick sensor cards

1DHT11 / DHT22Digital · 3.3–5V

2HC-SR04Digital pulse · 5V

3PIR Motion SensorDigital · 5V typical

4DS18B201-Wire · 3.0–5.5V

5BME280 / BMP280I2C/SPI · 3.3V module dependent

6MPU6050I2C · 3.3–5V module

70.96 OLED I2CI2C · 3.3–5V module

8RC522 RFIDSPI · 3.3V only

9MQ Gas Sensor ModuleAnalog + digital · 5V typical

10Soil Moisture ModuleAnalog + digital · 3.3–5V

11IR Obstacle SensorDigital · 3.3–5V

12LDR Light Sensor ModuleAnalog + digital · 3.3–5V

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Sensor / Module	Use	Interface	Common Pins	Voltage	Wiring Note
DHT11 / DHT22	Temp + humidity	Digital	`VCC` · `DATA` · `NC` · `GND`	3.3–5V	Use 4.7k–10k pull-up on DATA if bare sensor.
HC-SR04	Ultrasonic distance	Digital pulse	`VCC` · `TRIG` · `ECHO` · `GND`	5V	Echo is 5V; level shift for ESP32/Raspberry Pi.
PIR Motion Sensor	Motion detection	Digital	`VCC` · `OUT` · `GND`	5V typical	OUT goes high when motion is detected.
DS18B20	Waterproof temperature	1-Wire	`VDD` · `DQ` · `GND`	3.0–5.5V	Use 4.7k pull-up from DQ to VDD.
BME280 / BMP280	Pressure/humidity	I2C/SPI	`VCC` · `SCL/SCK` · `SDA/SDI` · `GND`	3.3V module dependent	Most breakout boards support I2C; check VIN regulator.
MPU6050	Gyro + accelerometer	I2C	`VCC` · `SCL` · `SDA` · `GND`	3.3–5V module	AD0 changes I2C address 0x68/0x69.
0.96 OLED I2C	OLED display	I2C	`VCC` · `SCL` · `SDA` · `GND`	3.3–5V module	Common addresses are 0x3C and 0x3D.
RC522 RFID	RFID reader	SPI	`3.3V` · `SCK/MOSI/MISO` · `SDA/SS` · `GND`	3.3V only	Do not power RC522 from 5V logic pins.
MQ Gas Sensor Module	Gas / smoke	Analog + digital	`VCC` · `AO` · `DO` · `GND`	5V typical	Heater draws high current; allow warm-up time.
Soil Moisture Module	Soil moisture	Analog + digital	`VCC` · `AO` · `DO` · `GND`	3.3–5V	Capacitive type is better than resistive probe for long use.
IR Obstacle Sensor	Object detection	Digital	`VCC` · `OUT` · `GND`	3.3–5V	Potentiometer adjusts detection threshold.
LDR Light Sensor Module	Light level	Analog + digital	`VCC` · `AO` · `DO` · `GND`	3.3–5V	AO gives analog light level, DO gives threshold output.
Rain Sensor Module	Rain / water detect	Analog + digital	`VCC` · `AO` · `DO` · `GND`	3.3–5V	Avoid permanent DC on exposed plate for corrosion-sensitive use.
Load Cell + HX711	Weight sensor	Digital serial	`VCC` · `DT` · `SCK` · `GND`	2.6–5.5V	Connect load cell wires to HX711 E+/E-/A+/A- first.
Hall Sensor Module	Magnetic field	Digital/analog	`VCC` · `OUT/AO` · `GND`	3.3–5V	Used for RPM, magnets, position and speed detection.
NTC Thermistor Module	Temperature	Analog	`VCC` · `AO` · `DO` · `GND`	3.3–5V	Check thermistor beta and pull-up/down value for accuracy.

📋 Common Sensor Groups

🌡️ Temperature / Humidity

DHT11/DHT22VCC DATA GND

DS18B20VDD DQ GND

NTC moduleVCC AO GND

📏 Distance / Motion

HC-SR04VCC TRIG ECHO GND

PIRVCC OUT GND

IR obstacleVCC OUT GND

🔁 I2C Sensors

BME280VCC SCL SDA GND

MPU6050VCC SCL SDA GND

OLED I2CVCC SCL SDA GND

📚 Wiring Notes

VCC is not always 5V Some modules accept 3.3–5V because they include a regulator. Some bare ICs are 3.3V only.

Logic level matters A sensor powered from 5V may output 5V logic. Use a level shifter for ESP32 and Raspberry Pi inputs.

I2C modules share SDA/SCL Multiple I2C sensors can share the same two lines if their addresses are different.

Analog output needs ADC Raspberry Pi has no built-in analog input. Use an external ADC module for analog sensors.

Common Sensor Pinout Reference

This sensor pinout reference helps makers quickly wire popular modules to Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi and other microcontroller boards. It covers common power, ground, signal, I2C, SPI, analog and digital pin patterns.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Power compatibility and signal compatibility are different. If the signal output is 5V, use a level shifter or voltage divider before connecting to 3.3V GPIO pins.

The common bare 4-pin order is VCC, DATA, NC, GND when looking at the front grill. Many 3-pin modules expose only VCC, DATA and GND.

HC-SR04 commonly uses VCC, TRIG, ECHO and GND. Echo is usually 5V, so shift it down for ESP32 or Raspberry Pi.

I2C modules usually use VCC, SCL, SDA and GND. On Arduino Uno, SDA is A4 and SCL is A5. On many ESP32 boards, common defaults are GPIO21 SDA and GPIO22 SCL.

No. Raspberry Pi GPIO pins are digital only. Use an ADC module such as MCP3008, ADS1115 or an Arduino/ESP32 as an ADC interface.

AO is analog output and changes gradually with sensor value. DO is digital threshold output controlled by the module comparator and potentiometer.