APA102C addressable RGB LED pinout

A 5050 RGB LED with integrated drivers and separate clock and data signals, both forwarded to the next pixel.

5050 SMD, six contacts

6 contacts Current package

iPixel LED / Shiji Lighting · Six contacts in two rows.

5050 SMD, six contacts pinout

Locate the pin 1 mark and use the top view unless the drawing specifies a different view.

Selected pin details

6 · DO

Output · Outputs

Forwarded serial data output to the next pixel’s DI.

iPixel LED / Shiji Lighting APA102C specification, p. 1 physical dimensions

Electrical limits · Link to this pin

All 6 pins

Pin	Signal	Direction	Function
1	DI Input	Input	Serial data in. Data changes around the associated clock edges.
2	CI Input	Input	Serial clock input. Connect to controller clock or the previous pixel’s CO.
3	GND Return	Return	Supply and signal return.
4	VCC Supply	Supply	Nominal 5 V supply.
5	CO Output	Output	Forwarded clock output to the next pixel’s CI.
6	DO Output	Output	Forwarded serial data output to the next pixel’s DI.

Signal assignments

Clocked pixel input

Use MSB-first data and separate clock. A start frame is 32 zero bits.

Cascade output

Route CO to CI and DO to DI on the next pixel. Share the power and return rails.

Electrical limits

Parameter	Limit	Conditions and source
Supply5.0 V nominal	5.0 V nominal	The published DC characteristics list 5.5 V as the upper operating value. iPixel LED / Shiji Lighting APA102C specification, Electrical Characteristics
Input high≥0.7 × VCC	≥0.7 × VCC	At 5 V, provide at least 3.5 V high at DI and CI. iPixel LED / Shiji Lighting APA102C specification, Electrical Characteristics
Pixel format32 bits	32 bits	Three leading ones, five global brightness bits, then 8 bits each of blue, green and red. iPixel LED / Shiji Lighting APA102C specification, timing diagram

Models and documents

The map uses the six-contact integrated LED outline in the iPixel APA102C sheet. Its separate controller block diagram uses different terminal numbers.

APA102C: Six-pad 5.0 × 5.0 × 1.4 mm integrated RGB LED.

iPixel LED / Shiji Lighting APA102C specification· Manufacturer document mirrored by SparkFun. See the six-contact outline, electrical limits and framing.
Source register· Document revisions, applicable order codes, consulted sections and available file checksums.