> Source: https://www.tinkered.ai/components/tmp36 (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/tmp36. To test the circuit without hardware, it opens and runs free in Tinkered.
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# TMP36 Temperature Sensor

A low-voltage analog temperature sensor with a 0.5 V offset, so it reads below freezing on a single supply.

Source page: https://www.tinkered.ai/components/tmp36
Datasheet: https://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/data-sheets/TMP35_36_37.pdf

## In short

The TMP36 is an analog temperature sensor that runs from 2.7 V to 5.5 V and outputs 750 mV at 25 °C, rising 10 mV per °C, over -40 °C to +125 °C (ADI TMP35/36/37 datasheet Rev. F, p. 1). Wire +VS to 3.3 V or 5 V, GND to ground and VOUT to an analog input; temperature in °C is (volts - 0.5) × 100, because its output carries a 0.5 V offset (p. 8).

The TMP36 is a three-lead temperature sensor from Analog Devices. It outputs a voltage proportional to Celsius temperature at 10 mV/°C with a 0.5 V offset, so 0 °C reads 500 mV, 25 °C reads 750 mV and -40 °C reads 100 mV (ADI datasheet, pp. 1, 8). That offset is the reason it can measure below freezing without a negative supply.

It runs from a single 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply and draws under 50 µA, which keeps self-heating under 0.1 °C in still air (pp. 1, 3). That makes it equally at home on a 3.3 V ESP32 or Raspberry Pi Pico and on a 5 V Arduino. It is specified from -40 °C to +125 °C and keeps working to 150 °C with reduced accuracy (p. 1).

Accuracy depends on the grade. The datasheet gives ±1 °C typical at 25 °C and ±2 °C typical over temperature; the TO-92 TMP36GT9Z is the G grade, rated ±3 °C maximum at 25 °C and ±4 °C maximum over its range (pp. 3, 19). The output tolerates heavy capacitive loads, up to 10,000 pF without oscillating (pp. 3, 17), which helps on long wires.

## Agent rules

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

- Do: VCC to the board's 3.3 V or 5 V pin, GND to GND, VOUT to an ANALOG input: A0-A5 on an Uno, Nano or UNO R4, A0-A15 on a Mega, GP26-GP28 on a Pico, A0 on an ESP8266 NodeMCU, an ADC1 pin on an ESP32 (GPIO32-39; GPIO0-4 on a C3, GPIO1-10 on an S3).
- Do: Convert with the board's own analog reference and resolution (table below): volts = raw * VREF / STEPS, then °C = (volts - 0.5) * 100.
- Do: Average a few readings (8 to 16) when the reading jitters: one ADC step is 4.9 mV on a 5 V Uno, about half a degree.
- Never: No swapping +VS and GND: turned round, a TMP36 gets too hot to touch within seconds and is destroyed. Check the flat face before wiring.
- Never: No pull-up or pull-down resistor on VOUT, and no LED on it: the output drives 50 µA at most.
- Never: No digital pin for VOUT: digitalRead cannot read a voltage.
- Never: No more than 5.5 V on +VS (a 9 V battery straight on it destroys it at 7 V).
- Never: (ESP32) NO ADC2 pin (GPIO 0/2/4/12-15/25-27) when the sketch uses Wi-Fi: ADC2 reads nothing while the radio runs.

## Pinout

| Pin | Function | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VCC | 1 +VS (2.7-5.5 V) · 2.7 to 5.5 V | power in |
| VOUT | ADC 0.5 V + 10 mV/°C · 2 V | output |
| GND | 3 GND | power in |

## Wiring

### Arduino Uno

| TMP36 Temperature Sensor | Arduino Uno | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VCC | 5V |  |
| VOUT | A0 |  |
| GND | GND |  |

### ESP32 DevKit V1

| TMP36 Temperature Sensor | ESP32 DevKit V1 | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VCC | 3V3 |  |
| VOUT | GPIO33 (D33) |  |
| GND | GND |  |

### Raspberry Pi Pico

| TMP36 Temperature Sensor | Raspberry Pi Pico | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VCC | 3V3 |  |
| VOUT | GP28 |  |
| GND | GND |  |

## Code

### Arduino Uno

```cpp
// TMP36 Temperature Sensor on Arduino Uno: wiring and a free simulation at https://www.tinkered.ai/components/tmp36
const int VOUT_PIN = A0;          // TMP36 VOUT
const float ADC_VREF = 5.0;       // the Uno's analog reference: its 5 V
const float ADC_STEPS = 1024.0;   // 10-bit ADC

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  long sum = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++) sum += analogRead(VOUT_PIN);
  float volts = (sum / 8.0) * ADC_VREF / ADC_STEPS;
  float tempC = (volts - 0.5) * 100.0;      // 0.5 V at 0 °C, 10 mV per °C
  float tempF = tempC * 9.0 / 5.0 + 32.0;
  Serial.print("Temperature: ");
  Serial.print(tempC, 1);
  Serial.print(" C  ");
  Serial.print(tempF, 1);
  Serial.println(" F");
  delay(1000);
}
```

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

### ESP32 DevKit V1

```cpp
// TMP36 Temperature Sensor on ESP32 DevKit V1: wiring and a free simulation at https://www.tinkered.ai/components/tmp36
const int VOUT_PIN = 33;          // TMP36 VOUT on GPIO33 (ADC1)

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  analogSetPinAttenuation(VOUT_PIN, ADC_11db);   // 11 dB, the widest range: Espressif rates it accurate to about 2.45 V
}

void loop() {
  // analogReadMilliVolts() applies the chip's own ADC calibration: the ESP32's
  // 12-bit analogRead() is not linear, so raw counts * 3.3 / 4095 reads off
  uint32_t mv = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++) mv += analogReadMilliVolts(VOUT_PIN);
  float volts = mv / 8.0 / 1000.0;
  float tempC = (volts - 0.5) * 100.0;      // 0.5 V at 0 °C, 10 mV per °C
  float tempF = tempC * 9.0 / 5.0 + 32.0;
  Serial.print("Temperature: ");
  Serial.print(tempC, 1);
  Serial.print(" C  ");
  Serial.print(tempF, 1);
  Serial.println(" F");
  delay(1000);
}
```

Compiled for esp32:esp32:esp32 on 2026-10-30.

### Raspberry Pi Pico

```cpp
// TMP36 Temperature Sensor on Raspberry Pi Pico: wiring and a free simulation at https://www.tinkered.ai/components/tmp36
const int VOUT_PIN = 28;          // TMP36 VOUT on GP28 (ADC2)
const float ADC_VREF = 3.3;       // the Pico's ADC reference: its 3.3 V rail
const float ADC_STEPS = 4096.0;   // 12 bits, set in setup() (arduino-pico defaults to 10)

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  analogReadResolution(12);
}

void loop() {
  long sum = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++) sum += analogRead(VOUT_PIN);
  float volts = (sum / 8.0) * ADC_VREF / ADC_STEPS;
  float tempC = (volts - 0.5) * 100.0;      // 0.5 V at 0 °C, 10 mV per °C
  float tempF = tempC * 9.0 / 5.0 + 32.0;
  Serial.print("Temperature: ");
  Serial.print(tempC, 1);
  Serial.print(" C  ");
  Serial.print(tempF, 1);
  Serial.println(" F");
  delay(1000);
}
```

Compiled for rp2040:rp2040:rpipico on 2026-10-30.

## Specifications

| Spec | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Supply voltage | 2.7 V to 5.5 V (7 V absolute maximum) | ADI TMP35/36/37 datasheet Rev. F, pp. 3, 4 |
| Transfer function | VOUT = 0.5 V + 10 mV/°C (750 mV at 25 °C) | ADI TMP35/36/37 datasheet Rev. F, pp. 3, 8 |
| Specified range | -40 °C to +125 °C, operation to 150 °C | ADI TMP35/36/37 datasheet Rev. F, p. 1 |
| Accuracy, TMP36GT9Z (G grade) | ±1 °C typ, ±3 °C max at 25 °C; ±2 °C typ, ±4 °C max over range | ADI TMP35/36/37 datasheet Rev. F, pp. 3, 19 |
| Supply current | 50 µA max, unloaded | ADI TMP35/36/37 datasheet Rev. F, p. 3 |
| Output load current | 50 µA max; 250 µA short-circuit limit | ADI TMP35/36/37 datasheet Rev. F, p. 3 |
| Capacitive load | 1,000 pF min, 10,000 pF typical without oscillation | ADI TMP35/36/37 datasheet Rev. F, p. 3 |
| Turn-on time | 0.5 ms typ, 1 ms max | ADI TMP35/36/37 datasheet Rev. F, p. 3 |
| Linearity | 0.5 °C typical | ADI TMP35/36/37 datasheet Rev. F, p. 3 |
| TO-92 pinout | 1 +VS, 2 VOUT, 3 GND (bottom view) | ADI TMP35/36/37 datasheet Rev. F, pp. 1, 10 |
| Interface | Analog | Tinkered component registry |
| Dimensions | 5.55 × 3.68 × 18.33 mm | Tinkered component registry |
| Weight | 0.2 g | Tinkered component registry |

## Circuit notes

- Power +VS from the board's 3.3 V or 5 V pin; anything from 2.7 V to 5.5 V works (ADI datasheet, p. 3). Its output stays under 2.0 V across its range (p. 3), safe for any ADC.
- Read VOUT on an analog pin and convert with °C = (volts - 0.5) × 100, using the ADC's real reference: 5.0 V on a default Uno, 3.3 V on an ESP32, ESP8266 or Pico.
- Place a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor from +VS to GND, close to the sensor; ADI adds a 2.2 µF tantalum in parallel for strong RF noise (p. 10).
- For long cables add a 750 Ω resistor in series with VOUT; with the cable's capacitance it forms a low-pass filter (p. 17).
- Keep loads light: the output supplies 50 µA at most (p. 3), so never put an LED, a pull-up or a pull-down on VOUT.
- Accuracy is ±3 °C at most at 25 °C (TO-92).

## Common mistakes

- **Wiring it backwards.** Seen from the bottom, the TO-92 pins are 1 +VS, 2 VOUT, 3 GND (ADI datasheet, p. 1). Reversed, the sensor gets very hot within seconds and is destroyed. Check the flat face before powering up.
- **Forgetting the 0.5 V offset.** The TMP36 reads 500 mV at 0 °C (p. 8). Multiplying the voltage by 100 without subtracting 0.5 V first reads 50 °C too high.
- **Keeping the Uno's 5.0 V in a 3.3 V board's code.** On an ESP32, ESP8266 or Pico the ADC reference is 3.3 V. Converting with 5.0 makes a 25 °C room read around 64 °C.
- **Exceeding 5.5 V on +VS.** The supply range ends at 5.5 V and the absolute maximum is 7 V (pp. 3, 4). A 9 V battery straight on the sensor destroys it.
- **Expecting better than the grade allows.** The TO-92 TMP36GT9Z is rated ±3 °C max at 25 °C and ±4 °C max over temperature (pp. 3, 19). Calibrate against a known thermometer if you need tighter readings.

## Questions

### Does the TMP36 work at 3.3 V?

Yes. It is specified from 2.7 V to 5.5 V (ADI datasheet, p. 3), so the 3.3 V pin of an ESP32, ESP8266 or Raspberry Pi Pico powers it directly. Convert with the 3.3 V reference: volts = raw × 3.3 / 4095 on a 12-bit ESP32.

### What is the TMP36 formula?

°C = (VOUT - 0.5 V) × 100. The output is 0.5 V at 0 °C and rises 10 mV/°C, giving 750 mV at 25 °C (ADI datasheet, pp. 3, 8). For Fahrenheit, multiply °C by 9/5 and add 32.

### Why does my TMP36 read about -50 °C or jump around?

-50 °C means VOUT reads 0 V: the sensor is unpowered, turned round (pins 1 +VS, 2 VOUT, 3 GND from the bottom, p. 1) or VOUT is on the wrong pin. Jumpy readings call for the 0.1 µF bypass capacitor ADI shows (p. 10), averaging, and a 750 Ω series resistor on long wires (p. 17).

### TMP36 vs LM35: which is better?

Both scale at 10 mV/°C. The TMP36 runs from 2.7 V and reads down to -40 °C on a single supply thanks to its 0.5 V offset (ADI datasheet, pp. 1, 8). The LM35 needs 4 V to 30 V, has no offset, and the LM35D is ±1.5 °C max at 25 °C against the TMP36GT9Z's ±3 °C (TI LM35 datasheet, pp. 4, 9; ADI pp. 3, 19). Pick the TMP36 for 3.3 V boards and freezing temperatures, the LM35 for tighter accuracy on 5 V.

### How accurate is the TMP36?

Typically ±1 °C at 25 °C and ±2 °C over -40 °C to +125 °C (ADI datasheet, p. 1). The guaranteed limits for the TO-92 TMP36GT9Z, the G grade, are ±3 °C at 25 °C and ±4 °C over temperature (pp. 3, 19).

### Can I put the TMP36 on a long cable?

Yes. It drives capacitive loads up to 10,000 pF without oscillating, and ADI recommends a 750 Ω resistor in series with the output to speed up settling and filter noise (ADI datasheet, p. 17).

## Related parts

- [DHT22](https://www.tinkered.ai/components/dht22.md): same job: measures temperature, single-wire
- [BME280](https://www.tinkered.ai/components/bme280.md): same job: measures temperature, I2C
- [BME680](https://www.tinkered.ai/components/bme680.md): same job: measures temperature, I2C
- [Waterproof DS18B20](https://www.tinkered.ai/components/ds18b20-waterproof.md): same job: measures temperature, 1-Wire
- [NTC Thermistor (10kΩ)](https://www.tinkered.ai/components/thermistor-ntc-10k.md): same job: measures temperature
- [DHT11 Temp & Humidity Sensor](https://www.tinkered.ai/components/dht11.md): same job: measures temperature, single-wire

## Try it

Tinkered simulates the TMP36 Temperature Sensor 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.