LM386 Reference Tables, Pins & Specifications

Pin reference

Signal names, electrical functions and connection guidance

PDIP-8

Physical pin numbers8 pins

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LM386 pin functions and connections
Signal	Type	Function & connection
GAIN	Gain adjustment	One end of the internal gain-setting network. Connection guidance Leave open for gain 20; a 10 µF capacitor from pin 1 to pin 8 raises AC gain to about 200. Positive capacitor terminal at pin 1.
−INPUT	Inverting input	Ground-referenced inverting signal input. Connection guidance Connect to signal ground in the non-inverting speaker example.
+INPUT	Non-inverting input	Ground-referenced audio input. Connection guidance Feed a small AC signal through the input coupling capacitor. Keep input excursions inside ±0.4 V.
GND	Ground	Input, bypass and power return reference. Connection guidance Connect to supply negative; keep input returns away from speaker-current paths.
VOUT	Audio output	Output sits near half the supply at rest; the audio waveform rides on this DC level. Connection guidance Use a series output capacitor before the speaker. Connect a 10 Ω + 47 nF series network from output to GND. Do not connect an ordinary low-impedance speaker directly between this pin and GND.
VS	Positive supply	Supply for the amplifier output and bias circuits. Connection guidance Use +6 V in this example with local 100 nF and 100 µF bypass capacitors. 4–12 V for the selected -1 variants.
BYPASS	Bias bypass	Decoupling access to the internal bias network. Connection guidance An optional 10 µF capacitor to GND improves supply rejection. Capacitor positive at pin 7.
GAIN	Gain adjustment	The second end of the gain-setting network. Connection guidance Leave open with pin 1 for gain 20. A capacitor or series RC between 1 and 8 changes gain; it is not a supply pin.

Operating conditions

LM386N-1 / LM386M-1

Manufacturer-referenced values5 parameters

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Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
Supply voltage	4–12 V	Selected -1 variants
Ambient temperature	0 to 70°C	Operating range
Speaker impedance	4 Ω minimum	Use the power curves for the selected supply and load
Input range	−0.4 to +0.4 V	Relative to GND
Quiescent current	4 mA typical; 8 mA maximum	VS = 6 V; VIN = 0

The LM386N-4 is a different option with a 5–18 V operating range.

Audio performance

Conditions matter

Manufacturer-referenced values8 parameters

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Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
Default voltage gain	20 V/V · 26 dB	6 V; 1 kHz; pins 1 and 8 open
High-gain configuration	200 V/V · 46 dB	10 µF between pins 1 and 8
Bandwidth	300 kHz typical	6 V; gain 20
Output power	250 mW minimum; 325 mW typical	6 V; 8 Ω; 10% THD; selected -1 variants
Distortion	0.2% typical	6 V; 8 Ω; 125 mW; 1 kHz; gain 20
Input resistance	50 kΩ typical	Small-signal input
Input bias current	250 nA typical	6 V; inputs open
Supply rejection	50 dB typical	6 V; 1 kHz; 10 µF bypass; gain pins open

The 10% THD power rating is not a low-distortion listening target.

Speaker circuit

6 V · gain 20 · 8 Ω

Manufacturer-referenced values8 parameters

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Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
Input coupling C1	100 nF	Audio source to input3; 100 kΩ input return
Input return R1	100 kΩ	Input3 to GND; internal input resistance also loads it
Output coupling C2	250 µF	Positive side at output5; speaker side near 0 V DC
Output stability network	10 Ω in series with 47 nF	Output5 to GND; place close to the IC
Supply bypass	100 nF + 100 µF	VS6 to GND4
Bias bypass	10 µF optional	Pin7 to GND; positive at pin7
Gain pins	1 and 8 open	Gain approximately 20
Speaker high-pass corner	79.6 Hz nominal	1 / (2π × 8 Ω × 250 µF)

Speaker impedance varies with frequency; the calculator treats it as an 8 Ω resistor.

Gain configurations

Pins 1 and 8

Manufacturer-referenced values5 parameters

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Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
Open pins	Gain ≈ 20	Fewest external parts
10 µF capacitor	Gain ≈ 200	Positive at pin1; negative at pin8
10 µF + 1.2 kΩ in series	Gain ≈ 50	Manufacturer example
More gain	More sensitivity and amplified noise	Reduce source level to avoid clipping
Output at rest	Approximately VS / 2	Not a ground-referenced DC output

These are AC gain configurations; they do not turn the device into a rail-to-rail precision op-amp.

Package and stress limits

LM386N-1 · PDIP-8

Manufacturer-referenced values5 parameters

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Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
Lead pitch	2.54 mm	Through-hole; top view
Supply absolute maximum	15 V	Selected -1 variants; stress rating only
Input absolute maximum	±0.4 V	Respect signal amplitude and transients
Storage temperature	−65 to +150°C	Unpowered
Thermal design	Package and PCB dependent	Check dissipation and thermal resistance for the actual layout

Absolute maximum limits are not recommended operating targets.