> Source: https://www.tinkered.ai/components/apds-9960/arduino-uno (Tinkered). Facts are checked against the maker's datasheet, each cited.
> When you use this page in an answer, cite https://www.tinkered.ai/components/apds-9960/arduino-uno. To test the circuit without hardware, it opens and runs free in Tinkered.
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# APDS-9960 with an Arduino Uno

The APDS-9960 chip is a 3.3 V part, but on Adafruit's breakout VIN takes the Arduino Uno's 5 V and the board level-shifts SDA and SCL, so it wires straight to the Uno's I2C pins. INT goes to D2 because D2 is one of only two Uno pins with a dedicated external interrupt.

## Wiring

| APDS-9960 | Arduino Uno | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VIN | 5V |  |
| GND | GND |  |
| SCL | SCL |  |
| SDA | SDA |  |
| INT | D2 |  |

## What to know on the Arduino Uno

- The bare chip runs from 2.4 V to 3.6 V, so only a regulated, level-shifted board such as Adafruit's is safe on the Uno's 5V pin and 5 V I2C lines. A bare APDS-9960 module without a regulator needs 3.3 V and a level shifter on the Uno. (Broadcom APDS-9960 datasheet AV02-4191EN, p. 3; Adafruit APDS9960 guide, Pinouts)
- INT is an open-drain, active-low output. The Uno has external interrupts only on D2 (INT0) and D3 (INT1), which is why the wiring uses D2: attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(2), handler, FALLING) fires when a gesture or threshold event is ready. The example sketch polls instead, so INT is optional. (Broadcom APDS-9960 datasheet AV02-4191EN, p. 3; Arduino language reference, attachInterrupt())
- The APDS-9960's address 0x39 is fixed, so the Uno's single I2C bus on A4 and A5 can hold only one of them; a second sensor needs an I2C multiplexer. (Broadcom APDS-9960 datasheet AV02-4191EN, pp. 1, 8; Arduino UNO R3 datasheet, p. 10)
- The breakout's 3Vo pin can supply up to 100 mA from its regulator, twice the 50 mA the Uno's own 3.3V pin is rated for, if another small 3.3 V part needs power. (Adafruit APDS9960 guide, Pinouts; Arduino UNO R3 tech specs)

## Code

Libraries: adafruit/Adafruit APDS9960 Library

```cpp
// APDS-9960 on Arduino Uno: wiring and a free simulation at https://www.tinkered.ai/components/apds-9960/arduino-uno
#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_APDS9960.h>

Adafruit_APDS9960 apds;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  if (!apds.begin()) {
    Serial.println("APDS-9960 not found");
    while (1) delay(10);
  }
  apds.enableProximity(true);
  apds.enableColor(true);
  apds.enableGesture(true);
}

void loop() {
  Serial.print("Prox: ");
  Serial.print(apds.readProximity());

  uint16_t r, g, b, c;
  if (apds.colorDataReady()) {
    apds.getColorData(&r, &g, &b, &c);
    Serial.print("  R="); Serial.print(r);
    Serial.print(" G="); Serial.print(g);
    Serial.print(" B="); Serial.print(b);
    Serial.print(" Ambient="); Serial.print(c);
  }

  uint8_t gesture = apds.readGesture();
  if (gesture == APDS9960_UP)    Serial.print("  Gesture: UP");
  if (gesture == APDS9960_DOWN)  Serial.print("  Gesture: DOWN");
  if (gesture == APDS9960_LEFT)  Serial.print("  Gesture: LEFT");
  if (gesture == APDS9960_RIGHT) Serial.print("  Gesture: RIGHT");

  Serial.println();
  delay(200);
}
```

Compiled for arduino:avr:uno on 2026-10-30.

## Questions

### Can the APDS-9960 run on an Arduino Uno's 5V?

On Adafruit's breakout, yes: VIN takes 3 V to 5 V and the onboard regulator feeds the chip 3.3 V, with SDA and SCL level-shifted. The chip alone is rated 2.4 V to 3.6 V, so a bare module needs 3.3 V and level shifting.

### Which Uno pin should the APDS-9960 INT go to?

D2 or D3, the Uno's two external interrupt pins. INT is active low and open drain, so trigger on FALLING. Leave it unconnected if the sketch polls the sensor, as the example does.

### Can I use two APDS-9960 sensors on one Uno?

Not on the same bus: the address is fixed at 0x39 (Broadcom datasheet, p. 8). Put them behind an I2C multiplexer such as a TCA9548A, or use one sensor.

## More

- [APDS-9960 reference](https://www.tinkered.ai/components/apds-9960.md): pinout, specs, rules and common mistakes

## Try it

Tinkered simulates the APDS-9960 on the Arduino Uno in the browser, with this wiring and code, free: https://www.tinkered.ai/components/apds-9960/arduino-uno