Raspberry Pi M.2 HAT+: specs
Adapter board that joins the PCIe connector of a Raspberry Pi 5 to one M.2 M key slot, for NVMe drives and other PCIe accessories.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Host | Raspberry Pi 5 (PCIe connector is a 16-pin, 0.5 mm pitch FPC) | source Overview (p.2) |
| PCIe interface | Single-lane PCIe 2.0, 500 MB/s peak transfer rate | source Specification (p.3) |
| M.2 connector | M.2 M key edge connector | source Specification (p.3) |
| Supported drive sizes | M.2 HAT+ standard: 2230 and 2242. (The Compact variant takes 2230 only.) | source Specification (p.3) |
| Power to the M.2 device | Up to 3 A | source Specification (p.3) |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 50 degC (ambient) | source Specification (p.3) |
| Standard | Conforms to the Raspberry Pi HAT+ specification; Raspberry Pi OS detects it automatically | source Overview (p.2) |
| In the box | Ribbon cable, 16 mm stacking header, threaded spacers and screws, one knurled drive-attachment screw | source Specification (p.3) |
| Indicators | Power and activity LEDs | source Specification (p.3) |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | Powered through the Raspberry Pi 5; supplies up to 3 A to the connected M.2 device | source Specification (p.3) |
Pinout
We don't publish a pin table for this part: no official source we could verify gives one. Check the labels printed on your module, and see the notes below.
The PCIe ribbon cable connects the board to the Raspberry Pi 5 PCIe connector; the maker's product brief gives no pin table for the board.
Build with it
Project ideas for the Raspberry Pi M.2 HAT+. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.
- Pi 5 file server: The Raspberry Pi SSD is an M.2 2230 drive, which the standard M.2 HAT+ accepts. Raspberry Pi documentation says boot from PCIe storage is enabled by changing BOOT_ORDER in the bootloader configuration. Use the official 27 W supply so the Pi 5 and the drive have enough power.
- Sensor database on SSD: The HAT+ comes with a 16 mm stacking header, so the GPIO pins stay reachable for an I2C sensor module on the Pi's 3.3 V pins. Learning project for databases and long-running writes.
- Boot speed comparison: The same Pi 5 can boot from either medium by changing the boot order. The PCIe link runs at Gen 2.0 speed by default (500 MB/s peak per the product brief). Learning project.
Common mistakes
- Fitting a 2280 drive. The standard M.2 HAT+ takes 2230 and 2242 drives only (source: link, Specification p.3).
- Installing it with the Pi powered. Disconnect the Raspberry Pi from power before installation, and update the firmware first: a bootloader dated 6 December 2023 or later is needed (source: link, Prepare your Raspberry Pi).
- Using it under the lid of the Raspberry Pi case. The standard M.2 HAT+ only fits that case if the lid and the included fan are removed; the Compact variant is the one made for the case (source: link, About).
Not covered by the official source
- The product brief gives no pin table for the board and no typical current figure.
- The product name has no size suffix; the brief covers both the standard and Compact boards and this page uses the standard board's figures.