BETASelected packagePDIP-24MAX7219ENG+
Eight-digit serial LED driver
MAX7219 Reference Tables
Search the MAX7219 pin reference and manufacturer-referenced specification tables.
Package view
Physical connections24 pinsPackage-specific numbering
Reference collection7 tables45 parameters & pin functions
Pin reference
Signal names, electrical functions and connection guidance
Physical pin numbers24 pins
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| Pin | Signal | Type | Function & connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIN | Input | Accepts serial data on each rising CLK edge.Connection guidanceConnect to a 5 V host MOSI output. A guaranteed HIGH requires at least 3.5 V; use level translation with a 3.3 V host. | |
| DIG0 | Current sink | Selects digit 0 by sinking its common-cathode current.Connection guidanceConnect to the common cathode of display digit 0. Inactive digit outputs are driven HIGH on MAX7219, not high impedance. | |
| DIG4 | Current sink | Selects digit 4 by sinking its common-cathode current.Connection guidanceConnect to the common cathode of display digit 4. Inactive digit outputs are driven HIGH on MAX7219, not high impedance. | |
| GND | Ground | Supply and LED-current return.Connection guidanceConnect both ground pins to the common return. | |
| DIG6 | Current sink | Selects digit 6 by sinking its common-cathode current.Connection guidanceConnect to the common cathode of display digit 6. Inactive digit outputs are driven HIGH on MAX7219, not high impedance. | |
| DIG2 | Current sink | Selects digit 2 by sinking its common-cathode current.Connection guidanceConnect to the common cathode of display digit 2. Inactive digit outputs are driven HIGH on MAX7219, not high impedance. | |
| DIG3 | Current sink | Selects digit 3 by sinking its common-cathode current.Connection guidanceConnect to the common cathode of display digit 3. Inactive digit outputs are driven HIGH on MAX7219, not high impedance. | |
| DIG7 | Current sink | Selects digit 7 by sinking its common-cathode current.Connection guidanceConnect to the common cathode of display digit 7. Inactive digit outputs are driven HIGH on MAX7219, not high impedance. | |
| GND | Ground | Supply and LED-current return.Connection guidanceConnect both ground pins to the common return. | |
| DIG5 | Current sink | Selects digit 5 by sinking its common-cathode current.Connection guidanceConnect to the common cathode of display digit 5. Inactive digit outputs are driven HIGH on MAX7219, not high impedance. | |
| DIG1 | Current sink | Selects digit 1 by sinking its common-cathode current.Connection guidanceConnect to the common cathode of display digit 1. Inactive digit outputs are driven HIGH on MAX7219, not high impedance. | |
| LOAD | Input | A rising edge transfers the last 16 serial bits to the selected register.Connection guidanceHold LOW during each 16-bit transfer, then pulse HIGH. CLK still shifts the MAX7219 while LOAD is HIGH; this differs from MAX7221 chip-select behavior. | |
| CLK | Input | Serial clock: DIN shifts on rising edges and DOUT changes after falling edges.Connection guidanceConnect to host clock; maximum serial clock is 10 MHz. | |
| SEG A | Current source | Supplies the A segment anodes.Connection guidanceJoin the A anodes across all eight common-cathode digits. Peak current is set by RSET; digit multiplexing and intensity PWM determine average current. | |
| SEG F | Current source | Supplies the F segment anodes.Connection guidanceJoin the F anodes across all eight common-cathode digits. Peak current is set by RSET; digit multiplexing and intensity PWM determine average current. | |
| SEG B | Current source | Supplies the B segment anodes.Connection guidanceJoin the B anodes across all eight common-cathode digits. Peak current is set by RSET; digit multiplexing and intensity PWM determine average current. | |
| SEG G | Current source | Supplies the G segment anodes.Connection guidanceJoin the G anodes across all eight common-cathode digits. Peak current is set by RSET; digit multiplexing and intensity PWM determine average current. | |
| ISET | Analog reference | Sets the peak segment current through an external resistor.Connection guidanceConnect RSET to V+; the example uses 64.9 kΩ for a low-current red display. Choose RSET from the manufacturer table using LED forward voltage; do not leave it unconnected. | |
| V+ | Supply | Powers the serial logic, memory and display drivers.Connection guidanceUse 5 V with 100 nF ceramic and 10 µF bulk bypass near the IC. Operating supply range: 4.0–5.5 V. | |
| SEG C | Current source | Supplies the C segment anodes.Connection guidanceJoin the C anodes across all eight common-cathode digits. Peak current is set by RSET; digit multiplexing and intensity PWM determine average current. | |
| SEG E | Current source | Supplies the E segment anodes.Connection guidanceJoin the E anodes across all eight common-cathode digits. Peak current is set by RSET; digit multiplexing and intensity PWM determine average current. | |
| SEG DP | Current source | Supplies the decimal point segment anodes.Connection guidanceJoin the DP anodes across all eight common-cathode digits. Peak current is set by RSET; digit multiplexing and intensity PWM determine average current. | |
| SEG D | Current source | Supplies the D segment anodes.Connection guidanceJoin the D anodes across all eight common-cathode digits. Peak current is set by RSET; digit multiplexing and intensity PWM determine average current. | |
| DOUT | Output | Serial data output for daisy-chaining another driver.Connection guidanceConnect to the next DIN, or leave open for one IC. Never high impedance; do not connect directly to a shared MISO bus. |
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Supply and logic levels
Recommended operating conditions
Manufacturer-referenced values7 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| V+ operating range | 4.0–5.5 V | Example uses regulated 5 V |
| Input HIGH / LOW | ≥3.5 V / ≤0.8 V | DIN, CLK and LOAD; 3.3 V is not a guaranteed HIGH |
| Shutdown current | 150 µA typical | 25°C, logic inputs at a supply rail |
| Display refresh | 800 Hz typical at eight digits | 500–1300 Hz specified scan range |
| Selected E temperature grade | −40 to +85°C | C grade is 0–70°C |
| Bypass capacitors | 100 nF ceramic + 10 µF bulk | Close to V+19 and ground |
| Ground contacts | Pins 4 and 9 | Connect both; carry multiplexed display return current |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
Check power dissipation separately from the temperature grade.
Registers and command words
16 bits, MSB first: address byte then data byte
Manufacturer-referenced values8 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0x00 · No-op | Data ignored | Use to pass a command through a daisy chain |
| 0x01–0x08 · Digits | One display byte each | Addresses correspond to DIG0–DIG7 |
| 0x09 · Decode mode | One bit per digit | 1 enables Code B; 0 selects raw segments |
| 0x0A · Intensity | Low nibble 0x0–0xF | 16 PWM settings |
| 0x0B · Scan limit | 0–7 | Selects one through eight scanned digits |
| 0x0C · Shutdown | 0=blank / 1=normal | RAM and control contents retained |
| 0x0F · Display test | 0=normal / 1=all LEDs | Overrides shutdown and intensity; disable after testing |
| Unused command bits | D15–D12 ignored | D11–D8 address; D7–D0 data |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
MAX7219 has no readback register command. DOUT is the serial shift output.
Decode and segment mapping
Digit data is interpreted by the decode mask
Manufacturer-referenced values7 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raw D7…D0 | DP, A, B, C, D, E, F, G | A set bit lights its segment during that digit slot |
| Code-B values 0x0–0x9 | Numerals 0–9 | Lower nibble selects the glyph |
| Code-B 0xA…0xF | −, E, H, L, P, blank | D4–D6 ignored |
| Decimal point | D7=1 | Independent of Code-B decoding |
| Raw numeral 8 | 0x7F | All seven bars on; decimal point off |
| Raw blank | 0x00 | All segments off |
| Decoded blank | 0x0F | Use only on Code-B-enabled digits |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
A raw matrix image needs decode mode 0x00.
Current, PWM and heat
Do not confuse peak and average LED current
Manufacturer-referenced values8 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eight-digit example RSET | 64.9 kΩ | Near the 63.7 kΩ manufacturer-table value for 10 mA at 2.0 V LED drop |
| Maximum recommended peak | 40 mA per segment | Check LED pulse rating and IC power budget |
| Minimum RSET | 9.53 kΩ | Actual current also depends on LED forward voltage |
| Intensity code k | PWM duty = (2k+1)/32 | k=0…15; applies during each digit slot |
| Per-LED average at eight digits | Approximately Ipeak × PWM duty / 8 | Multiplexing is in addition to intensity PWM |
| One / two / three digits | Peak ≤10 / 20 / 30 mA | Manufacturer limits individual digit-driver dissipation |
| Package thermal resistance | PDIP: 75°C/W; SOIC: 85°C/W | Datasheet reference values; board and cooling matter |
| Current example | 10 mA × 15/32 ÷ 8 ≈0.586 mA | Intensity code 7; approximate average per lit LED |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
Use scan limit for the real display topology; use intensity to dim.
Serial timing and cascading
LOAD is a latch strobe on MAX7219
Manufacturer-referenced values7 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Serial clock maximum | 10 MHz | At least 50 ns HIGH and 50 ns LOW |
| DIN setup / hold | 25 ns / 0 ns | Relative to CLK rising |
| LOAD HIGH pulse | At least 50 ns | Latch after the last bit |
| LOAD rise to next CLK rise | At least 50 ns | MAX7219 requirement |
| DOUT progression | 16.5 clock cycles behind DIN | Updates on falling CLK edges; always driven |
| Chain connection | DOUT → next DIN | Share CLK and LOAD; send farthest-device word first |
| MAX7221 distinction | CS gates clocking; outputs slew-limited | Do not assume those behaviors for MAX7219 |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
Use a defined idle clock and latch only after a complete transfer.
Eight-digit startup example
Example values for decoded numbers
Manufacturer-referenced values8 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blank during setup | 0x0C, 0x00 | Shutdown while configuring |
| Disable test | 0x0F, 0x00 | Avoid the all-on override |
| Enable Code B | 0x09, 0xFF | All eight digits decoded |
| Select eight digits | 0x0B, 0x07 | DIG0 through DIG7 |
| Set moderate PWM | 0x0A, 0x07 | 15/32 slot duty |
| Initialize display RAM | 0x01…0x08 with 0x0F | Blank every decoded digit |
| Write a zero on DIG0 | 0x01, 0x00 | Use 0x80 to include its decimal point |
| Enable display | 0x0C, 0x01 | Normal scanning begins |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
Commands are two bytes each, followed by LOAD rising.
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