# TCS34725 RGB color sensor: specs and pinout

> An I2C color light-to-digital converter chip (ams / TAOS TCS3472 family) that returns red, green, blue and clear light values, mounted on a module.

[HTML version](https://soldr.ai/docs/components/tcs34725)

[Docs](https://soldr.ai/docs) / [Components](https://soldr.ai/docs/components)

An I2C color light-to-digital converter chip (ams / TAOS TCS3472 family) that returns red, green, blue and clear light values, mounted on a module.

Every value cites its sourceChip-level pinout

[Buy on Compoden](https://compoden.com/products/tcs34725-rgb-color-sensor-module-with-ir-filter-high-sensitivity)

## Specs

| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Supply voltage VDD (TCS34725) | 2.7 V to 3.6 V, 3 V nominal (abs. max 3.8 V) | source Recommended Operating Conditions and Absolute Maximum Ratings (p.3) |
| Interface | I2C fast mode, up to 400 kbit/s | source Features (p.1) |
| I2C address | 0x29 (TCS34725 and TCS34727) | source Available Options (p.3) |
| Supply current | 235 uA typical (330 uA max) active; 65 uA wait state; 2.5 uA typical (10 uA max) sleep (VDD 3 V) | source Operating Characteristics (p.4) |
| Operating temperature | -30 C to 70 C | source Recommended Operating Conditions (p.3) |
| INT output | Open drain, active low | source Terminal Functions (p.3) |
| Channels | Red, green, blue and clear with IR blocking filter | source Features (p.1) |

## Power

| | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | 2.7 V to 3.6 V (chip) | source p.3, p.4 |
| Current | 235 uA active at 3 V | source p.3, p.4 |

## Chip pins
These are the pins of the chip on the module, from the chip datasheet. The module's own header may label or expose them differently.

These are the 6 pins of the FN-6 chip package. The module board (regulator, LED, header order, 5 V tolerance) is not covered by an official document.

| Pin | Function | Voltage | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VDD | 2.7 V to 3.6 V | Supply voltage | source Terminal Functions (p.3) |
| 2 | SCL | VDD level | I2C serial clock input | source Terminal Functions (p.3) |
| 3 | GND | 0 V | Power supply ground | source Terminal Functions (p.3) |
| 4 | NC | | No connect, do not connect | source Terminal Functions (p.3) |
| 5 | INT | open drain | Interrupt, active low | source Terminal Functions (p.3) |
| 6 | SDA | VDD level | I2C serial data I/O | source Terminal Functions (p.3) |

## Build with it
Project ideas for the TCS34725 RGB color sensor. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.

- [Color reader with a display](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20a%20handheld%20color%20reader%20with%20an%20ESP32%2C%20a%20TCS34725%20sensor%20module%20and%20an%20OLED%20showing%20red%2C%20green%20and%20blue%20values): The chip runs at 3 V, matching the ESP32's 3.3 V I2C bus.
- [Paint swatch matcher](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20a%20paint%20swatch%20color%20matcher%20with%20a%20NodeMCU%20ESP8266%2C%20a%20TCS34725%20sensor%20module%20and%20an%20OLED): The ESP8266 board runs I2C at 3.3 V. Hold the sensor at a fixed distance for repeatable values.
- [Color sorting flap](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20a%20color%20sorting%20demo%20with%20an%20ESP32%2C%20a%20TCS34725%20sensor%20module%20and%20an%20SG90%20servo%20that%20tilts%20a%20flap): Power the servo from its own 5 V supply with grounds joined; the sensor stays on 3.3 V.
- [Ambient light logger](https://app.soldr.ai/?prompt=I%20want%20to%20build%20an%20ambient%20light%20logger%20with%20an%20ESP32%20and%20a%20TCS34725%20sensor%20module%20that%20posts%20clear-channel%20light%20over%20Wi-Fi): The sheet describes the IR-blocking clear channel for ambient light sensing on page 1.

## Common mistakes

- Do not power the bare chip from 5 V: VDD is 2.7 V to 3.6 V and 3.8 V is the absolute maximum. Check whether your module has a regulator before using a 5 V board (source: [link](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/datasheets/TCS34725.pdf), p.3).
- Fixed I2C address 0x29 for the TCS34725; only the TCS34721/23 use 0x39, so two TCS34725 cannot share one bus (source: [link](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/datasheets/TCS34725.pdf), Available Options, p.3).
- The INT pin is open drain, so it needs a pull-up if you use the interrupt (source: [link](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/datasheets/TCS34725.pdf), Terminal Functions, p.3).

## Not covered by the official source

- Module board not documented by an official source.

## Sources

- [link](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/datasheets/TCS34725.pdf) (TCS3472 Color Light-to-Digital Converter with IR Filter, TAOS135 Aug 2012; ams/TAOS)