Build · Code · Tinker

Arduino starts here.

A friendly, no-fuss guide for new makers and programmers. Learn the basic workflow, upload your first sketch, and turn simple parts into projects that light up, move, and make sound.

Start in four steps →Explore beginner projects

Blink.ino● ● ●

// Your first Arduino sketch
void setup() {
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);
  delay(1000);
}

Try this: change both 1000 values to 200 and upload again. What changes?

Your first upload

From box to blinking light

Every project follows the same small loop: connect, choose, code, upload. Once this feels familiar, experimenting gets much easier.

Install the IDE

Get Arduino IDE 2 from the official site. It is where you write, check, and upload sketches.

Connect your board

Plug it in with a data-capable USB cable. A power light should switch on.

Choose board and port

In the IDE, select your board model and the port that appeared when you connected it.

Upload Blink

Open the built-in Blink example, press Upload, and watch the onboard LED flash.

The maker loop: change one small thing → upload → observe → explain what happened → try again.

Official tutorials

Five projects that teach the essentials

Start with Blink, then add one new idea at a time. Every link below goes to an official Arduino tutorial.

💡First project

Blink an LED

Learn a sketch’s structure and switch a digital output on and off.

10–15 minDigital output

Open Blink guide →

🔘Beginner

Read a pushbutton

Use a button as a digital input and let it control an LED.

20–30 minDigital input

Open Button guide →

☀️Beginner

Fade an LED

Make an LED brighten and dim while learning PWM output.

20–30 minPWM output

Open Fade guide →

🎛️Beginner

Read a sensor value

Turn a potentiometer and watch values change in Serial Monitor.

20–30 minAnalog input

Open Analog Read guide →

🚀Next step

Choose your next build

Browse official built-in examples for sensors, sound, motors, and control flow.

Many projectsExplore

Browse all examples →

Beginner toolkit

A small kit can build a lot

You do not need a crowded workbench. These reusable parts cover dozens of first projects.

Arduino board

An Uno or compatible beginner board is a comfortable place to start.

↔

USB data cable

Some cables provide power only. Use one that can also transfer data.

▦

Breadboard and jumpers

Build temporary circuits without soldering and reuse each part.

LEDs and resistors

Use 220–330Ω resistors with ordinary LEDs to limit current safely.

●

Buttons

Explore digital input, state, and simple interaction.

◒

Potentiometer

A turnable control makes analog input easy to understand.

Quick reference

Commands you will use most

Keep this cheat sheet nearby while you build. Function names are case-sensitive.

Command	What it does	Example
`pinMode(pin, mode)`	Sets a pin as an input or output.	`pinMode(8, OUTPUT);`
`digitalWrite(pin, value)`	Switches a digital output HIGH or LOW.	`digitalWrite(8, HIGH);`
`digitalRead(pin)`	Checks a digital input.	`state = digitalRead(2);`
`analogRead(pin)`	Reads a changing analog voltage.	`value = analogRead(A0);`
`analogWrite(pin, value)`	Produces PWM output on supported pins.	`analogWrite(9, 128);`
`delay(ms)`	Pauses the sketch in milliseconds.	`delay(500);`
`Serial.begin(speed)`	Starts Serial Monitor communication.	`Serial.begin(9600);`
`Serial.println(value)`	Prints a value for debugging.	`Serial.println(value);`