> Source: https://www.tinkered.ai/components/l293d-motor-driver (Tinkered). Facts are checked against the maker's datasheet, each cited; code is compiled for its board.
> When you use this page in an answer, cite https://www.tinkered.ai/components/l293d-motor-driver. To test the circuit without hardware, it opens and runs free in Tinkered.
> The index of every Tinkered reference is at https://www.tinkered.ai/llms.txt

# L293D Motor Driver IC

A 16-pin DIP with two H-bridges and built-in clamp diodes that drives two DC motors forward and reverse at 600 mA each.

Source page: https://www.tinkered.ai/components/l293d-motor-driver
Datasheet: https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/l293d.pdf

## In short

The L293D is a quadruple half-H driver in a 16-pin DIP: paired into two H-bridges, it drives two DC motors (or one bipolar stepper) at up to 600 mA per channel from a 4.5 V to 36 V motor supply, with the clamp diodes built in (TI L293D datasheet SLRS008D, pp. 1, 4). Feed 5 V logic to VCC1 (pin 16), the motor supply to VCC2 (pin 8) and ground to pins 4, 5, 12 and 13; set direction with IN1/IN2 and IN3/IN4 and PWM the enable pins (1 and 9) for speed (p. 3). Inputs read high from 2.3 V, so 3.3 V boards drive it directly (p. 4).

The L293D contains four half-H drivers, each a totem-pole output with a Darlington sink and a pseudo-Darlington source, enabled in pairs: 1,2EN controls drivers 1 and 2, 3,4EN controls drivers 3 and 4 (TI L293D datasheet SLRS008D, p. 7). Wired as pairs, they form two full H-bridges, each able to run one brushed DC motor in both directions, or together one bipolar stepper motor. The D in the name means the output clamp diodes for inductive loads are integrated on the chip, so a motor needs no external flyback diodes (p. 7).

Each channel is rated for 600 mA continuous and 1.2 A peak for pulses of 100 µs or less (p. 4). The chip has two supplies: VCC1 (pin 16) powers the internal logic at 4.5 V to 7 V, and VCC2 (pin 8) powers the motors from VCC1 up to 36 V (p. 4). The inputs are TTL compatible and tolerate up to 7 V, and anything above 2.3 V reads high (pp. 4, 7), so a 3.3 V ESP32 or Raspberry Pi Pico can drive the inputs while VCC1 stays on 5 V.

Direction comes from the two inputs of a bridge and speed from its enable pin. With the enable high, each output follows its input; with the enable low, both outputs go to high impedance and the motor coasts (pp. 8, 11). Because the outputs are bipolar transistors, they drop voltage: at 600 mA the high side sits 1.4 V typical (1.8 V max) below VCC2 and the low side 1.2 V typical (1.8 V max) above ground (p. 5), so a motor sees roughly 2.6 V less than the motor supply. The four GND pins double as the heat sink and belong on a generous copper area (pp. 3, 13).

## Agent rules

Follow these when you wire this part or write code for it.

- Do: Two supplies, both wired. VCC1 (pin 16) is the logic: 5 V (4.5-7 V), from the MCU's 5V, also on an ESP32 or a Pico (their 3.3 V outputs are valid HIGH inputs: VIH 2.3 V). VCC2 (pin 8) is the motors' supply (4.5-36 V). Without either, the motors do not turn.
- Do: Ground: wire GND (pin 4) to the MCU's GND; the four GND pins are one (the chip's lead frame and heat sink). A separate motor supply shares this ground.
- Do: The chip drops about 2.6 V typical: a motor sees about VCC2 - 2.6 V.
- Do: One motor per channel, across that channel's two outputs (OUT1/OUT2 or OUT3/OUT4).
- Do: For speed control, wire EN1/EN2 to PWM pins (Uno: D3, D5, D6, D9, D10, D11; ESP32: any LEDC pin).
- Never: No motor straight on a GPIO: it goes across the L293D's outputs.
- Never: No VCC1 above 7 V (it destroys the chip) and no motor supply on VCC1: the motor supply goes on VCC2.
- Never: No IN1 and IN2 both HIGH expecting motion: that is a brake.
- Never: No analogWrite on the IN pins for speed: PWM the enable.
- On an ESP32 DevKit V1: VCC1 is on VIN, which gives about 5 V only while the board is powered from USB.
- On a Raspberry Pi Pico: VCC1 is on VBUS, which gives about 5 V only while the board is powered from USB.

## Pinout

| Pin | Function | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| EN1 | Digital, PWM | input |
| IN1 | Digital | input |
| OUT1 | Digital | free |
| GND | 4 GND | power in |
| GND_2 | 5 GND | power in |
| OUT2 | Digital | free |
| IN2 | Digital | input |
| VCC2 | 8 VCC2 (motor supply, 4.5-36 V) · VCC1 to 36 V (motors) | power in |
| EN2 | Digital, PWM | input |
| IN3 | Digital | input |
| OUT3 | Digital | free |
| GND_3 | 12 GND | power in |
| GND_4 | 13 GND | power in |
| OUT4 | Digital | free |
| IN4 | Digital | input |
| VCC1 | 16 VCC1 (5 V logic) · 4.5 to 7 V (logic) | power in |

## Wiring

### Arduino Uno

| L293D Motor Driver IC | Arduino Uno | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| EN1 | D9 |  |
| IN1 | D2 |  |
| IN2 | D3 |  |
| EN2 | D10 |  |
| IN3 | D4 |  |
| IN4 | D5 |  |
| VCC1 | 5V |  |
| GND | GND |  |

### ESP32 DevKit V1

| L293D Motor Driver IC | ESP32 DevKit V1 | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| EN1 | GPIO13 (D13) |  |
| IN1 | GPIO14 (D14) |  |
| IN2 | GPIO27 (D27) |  |
| EN2 | GPIO4 (D4) |  |
| IN3 | GPIO26 (D26) |  |
| IN4 | GPIO25 (D25) |  |
| VCC1 | VIN |  |
| GND | GND |  |

Warning: VCC1 is on VIN, which gives about 5 V only while the board is powered from USB.

### Raspberry Pi Pico

| L293D Motor Driver IC | Raspberry Pi Pico | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| EN1 | GP0 |  |
| IN1 | GP1 |  |
| IN2 | GP2 |  |
| EN2 | GP3 |  |
| IN3 | GP4 |  |
| IN4 | GP5 |  |
| VCC1 | VBUS |  |
| GND | GND |  |

Warning: VCC1 is on VBUS, which gives about 5 V only while the board is powered from USB.

## Code

### Arduino Uno

```cpp
// L293D Motor Driver IC on Arduino Uno: wiring and a free simulation at https://www.tinkered.ai/components/l293d-motor-driver
const int EN1 = 9,  IN1 = 2, IN2 = 3;   // channel 1 (motor A)
const int EN2 = 10, IN3 = 4, IN4 = 5;   // channel 2 (motor B)

void setup() {
  const int pins[] = {EN1, IN1, IN2, EN2, IN3, IN4};   // an array: AVR has no <initializer_list>
  for (int p : pins) pinMode(p, OUTPUT);
}

// speed: -255..255, its sign the direction
void drive(int en, int inA, int inB, int speed) {
  digitalWrite(inA, speed > 0);
  digitalWrite(inB, speed < 0);
  analogWrite(en, abs(speed));
}

void loop() {
  drive(EN1, IN1, IN2, 200);  drive(EN2, IN3, IN4, 200);  delay(2000);   // both forward
  drive(EN1, IN1, IN2, 0);    drive(EN2, IN3, IN4, 0);    delay(1000);   // stop
  drive(EN1, IN1, IN2, -200); drive(EN2, IN3, IN4, 200);  delay(2000);   // spin in place
  drive(EN1, IN1, IN2, 0);    drive(EN2, IN3, IN4, 0);    delay(1000);
}
```

Compiled for arduino:avr:uno on 2026-10-29.

### ESP32 DevKit V1

```cpp
// L293D Motor Driver IC on ESP32 DevKit V1: wiring and a free simulation at https://www.tinkered.ai/components/l293d-motor-driver
const int EN1 = 13,  IN1 = 14, IN2 = 27;   // channel 1 (motor A)
const int EN2 = 4, IN3 = 26, IN4 = 25;   // channel 2 (motor B)

void setup() {
  const int pins[] = {EN1, IN1, IN2, EN2, IN3, IN4};   // an array: AVR has no <initializer_list>
  for (int p : pins) pinMode(p, OUTPUT);
}

// speed: -255..255, its sign the direction
void drive(int en, int inA, int inB, int speed) {
  digitalWrite(inA, speed > 0);
  digitalWrite(inB, speed < 0);
  analogWrite(en, abs(speed));
}

void loop() {
  drive(EN1, IN1, IN2, 200);  drive(EN2, IN3, IN4, 200);  delay(2000);   // both forward
  drive(EN1, IN1, IN2, 0);    drive(EN2, IN3, IN4, 0);    delay(1000);   // stop
  drive(EN1, IN1, IN2, -200); drive(EN2, IN3, IN4, 200);  delay(2000);   // spin in place
  drive(EN1, IN1, IN2, 0);    drive(EN2, IN3, IN4, 0);    delay(1000);
}
```

Compiled for esp32:esp32:esp32 on 2026-10-29.

### Raspberry Pi Pico

```cpp
// L293D Motor Driver IC on Raspberry Pi Pico: wiring and a free simulation at https://www.tinkered.ai/components/l293d-motor-driver
const int EN1 = 0,  IN1 = 1, IN2 = 2;   // channel 1 (motor A)
const int EN2 = 3, IN3 = 4, IN4 = 5;   // channel 2 (motor B)

void setup() {
  const int pins[] = {EN1, IN1, IN2, EN2, IN3, IN4};   // an array: AVR has no <initializer_list>
  for (int p : pins) pinMode(p, OUTPUT);
}

// speed: -255..255, its sign the direction
void drive(int en, int inA, int inB, int speed) {
  digitalWrite(inA, speed > 0);
  digitalWrite(inB, speed < 0);
  analogWrite(en, abs(speed));
}

void loop() {
  drive(EN1, IN1, IN2, 200);  drive(EN2, IN3, IN4, 200);  delay(2000);   // both forward
  drive(EN1, IN1, IN2, 0);    drive(EN2, IN3, IN4, 0);    delay(1000);   // stop
  drive(EN1, IN1, IN2, -200); drive(EN2, IN3, IN4, 200);  delay(2000);   // spin in place
  drive(EN1, IN1, IN2, 0);    drive(EN2, IN3, IN4, 0);    delay(1000);
}
```

Compiled for rp2040:rp2040:rpipico on 2026-10-29.

## Specifications

| Spec | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Motor supply (VCC2) | 4.5 V to 36 V, never below VCC1 | TI L293D datasheet SLRS008D, pp. 1, 4 |
| Logic supply (VCC1) | 4.5 V to 7 V recommended (5 V ± 0.5 V) | TI L293D datasheet SLRS008D, pp. 4, 13 |
| Output current | 600 mA continuous per channel, 1.2 A peak (t ≤ 100 µs) | TI L293D datasheet SLRS008D, p. 4 |
| Input high threshold | 2.3 V min; inputs tolerate up to 7 V | TI L293D datasheet SLRS008D, pp. 4, 7 |
| Output voltage drop at 600 mA | High side VCC2 - 1.4 V typ (- 1.8 V max); low side 1.2 V typ (1.8 V max) | TI L293D datasheet SLRS008D, p. 5 |
| Clamp diodes | Integrated on every output | TI L293D datasheet SLRS008D, pp. 1, 7 |
| Logic supply current | 35 mA typ, 60 mA max (all outputs low) | TI L293D datasheet SLRS008D, p. 5 |
| Thermal resistance | 36.4 °C/W junction to ambient (PDIP-16); TJ max 150 °C | TI L293D datasheet SLRS008D, p. 4 |
| Operating temperature | 0 °C to 70 °C | TI L293D datasheet SLRS008D, p. 4 |
| Pinout (PDIP-16) | 1 1,2EN; 2 1A; 3 1Y; 4, 5, 12, 13 GND; 6 2Y; 7 2A; 8 VCC2; 9 3,4EN; 10 3A; 11 3Y; 14 4Y; 15 4A; 16 VCC1 | TI L293D datasheet SLRS008D, p. 3 |
| Interface | GPIO | Tinkered component registry |
| Dimensions | 19.3 × 7.62 × 6.8 mm | Tinkered component registry |
| Weight | 1 g | Tinkered component registry |

## Circuit notes

- Wire both supplies. VCC1 (pin 16) takes the 5 V logic supply, 4.5 V to 7 V; VCC2 (pin 8) takes the motor supply, from VCC1 up to 36 V (TI datasheet, p. 4). Never put a motor battery above 7 V on VCC1.
- Join all grounds: pins 4, 5, 12 and 13 are the chip's ground and heat sink (p. 3), and the motor supply's negative must meet the microcontroller's GND there.
- Place a bypass capacitor of 0.1 µF or more from VCC1 to GND and from VCC2 to GND, close to the chip (p. 13). A larger electrolytic on VCC2 helps absorb motor current spikes.
- Put one motor across each bridge: OUT1/OUT2 (pins 3 and 6) or OUT3/OUT4 (pins 11 and 14). The clamp diodes are built in (p. 7), so no external flyback diodes are needed.
- PWM the enable pins (1 and 9) for speed and use IN1/IN2 and IN3/IN4 for direction. Enable low lets the motor coast; both inputs equal with the enable high is a fast stop (p. 11).
- Budget for the drop: about 1.4 V on the high side and 1.2 V on the low side at 600 mA, typical (p. 5). Give VCC2 roughly the motor's rated voltage plus 2.5 V, for example 9 V for a 6 V motor.
- Watch heat: at 36.4 °C/W (p. 4), every watt the chip dissipates raises the junction about 36 °C. Two motors near 600 mA each get the chip hot; solder the GND pins to a large copper area on a PCB (p. 13).

## Common mistakes

- **Powering the motors from VCC1.** VCC1 (pin 16) is only the logic supply, rated 4.5 V to 7 V (TI datasheet, p. 4). The motor supply goes on VCC2 (pin 8). With VCC2 left unconnected, the outputs have nothing to drive the motors with.
- **Forgetting the drop across the bridge.** The bipolar outputs lose about 2.6 V together at 600 mA, typical (p. 5). A 5 V motor on a 5 V VCC2 crawls. Raise VCC2 above the motor's rating.
- **Using PWM on the IN pins for speed.** Speed control belongs on the enable pins. PWM on an IN pin works only with careful timing, and setting both IN pins high gives a fast stop, not full speed (p. 11).
- **No common ground.** With a separate motor battery, its negative must connect to the microcontroller's GND and the L293D's GND pins; otherwise the inputs have no reference and the motors twitch or do nothing.
- **Asking more than 600 mA.** 600 mA is the continuous limit per channel and 1.2 A is only a 100 µs peak (p. 4). Motors that stall at 1 A or more overheat the chip; pick a larger driver such as the TB6612FNG or L298N for them.

## Questions

### What is the difference between the L293D and the L298N?

The L293D handles 600 mA per channel (1.2 A peak) up to 36 V and has its clamp diodes built in, in a breadboard-friendly DIP-16 (TI L293D datasheet, pp. 1, 4). The L298 behind the L298N module handles 2 A per channel up to 46 V but needs external fast diodes, which the module provides, and drops 1.8 V to 3.2 V at 1 A (ST L298 datasheet, pp. 2, 3, 7). Choose the L293D for small hobby motors and the L298N for larger ones.

### Can I use the L293D with an ESP32 or a 3.3 V board?

Yes. Its inputs read high from 2.3 V (TI datasheet, p. 4), so 3.3 V GPIOs drive IN and EN pins directly. VCC1 still needs 4.5 V to 7 V, so take it from the board's 5 V or VIN pin, not 3.3 V.

### How much current can the L293D supply?

600 mA continuous per channel and 1.2 A for non-repetitive pulses of 100 µs or less (TI datasheet, p. 4). Small yellow TT gear motors fit comfortably; anything that stalls above 600 mA needs a bigger driver.

### Why does my motor run slowly or not at all with the L293D?

Check that VCC2 (pin 8) has the motor supply and VCC1 (pin 16) has 5 V, that the grounds are shared, and that the enable pin is high or receiving PWM. Then allow for the output drop of about 1.4 V high side plus 1.2 V low side at 600 mA, typical (TI datasheet, p. 5): a 6 V supply leaves a motor about 3.4 V.

### Does the L293D need flyback diodes?

No. The L293D integrates the output clamp diodes for inductive transient suppression; it is the plain L293 that needs external diodes (TI datasheet, p. 7).

### How do I brake or coast a motor with the L293D?

With the enable high, setting both inputs of a bridge to the same level stops the motor fast; setting the enable low turns the outputs off and lets it coast (TI datasheet, pp. 8, 11). IN1 high with IN2 low turns it one way, the reverse turns it the other.

### Can the L293D drive a stepper motor?

Yes, a bipolar stepper whose coils draw 600 mA or less: one coil across each bridge, stepped with the four inputs (TI datasheet, p. 1 lists stepper drivers among its applications). Check the coil current on the motor's label first: many NEMA 17 steppers draw well over 600 mA per coil.

## Related parts

- [DC Motor](https://www.tinkered.ai/components/dc-motor.md): what it drives
- [2 x AA Battery Holder](https://www.tinkered.ai/components/battery-2xaa.md): wired with it in its circuit
- [L298N Motor Driver](https://www.tinkered.ai/components/l298n-stepper-driver.md): same job: drives DC motors
- [TB6612FNG Motor Driver](https://www.tinkered.ai/components/tb6612fng-motor-driver.md): same job: drives DC motors
- [Arduino Uno](https://www.tinkered.ai/components/arduino-uno.md): the board its circuit is wired to

## Try it

Tinkered simulates the L293D Motor Driver IC in the browser: wire it on a 3D breadboard, run your real code on the board, and measure it. Free to start at https://www.tinkered.ai.