Arduino project · LEDs and lights · Medium
Colour Detector with LEDs
Hold a red, green or blue card near the sensor and the matching LED lights up.
What you will learn
- How a colour sensor sees red, green and blue
- How to compare readings
- How to calibrate for light
How it works
The TCS3200 measures the three colours and the code picks the strongest. Use the dropdown to test each colour.
Try this next
- Add a buzzer for yellow.
- Show the colour name on an LCD.
- Use it in a sorting machine.
The simulator program and explanation on this page are original. The idea follows a classic Arduino project that students have built for years.
Parts: sensors and actuators (tap to show or hide)
Try the inputs (virtual sensors)
Pins (you can change them)
| Part | Arduino pin (change it here) | How to wire it |
|---|
Every wire, one by one
Red rail = 5 V from the Arduino 5V pin. Black rail = GND. The coloured wires carry signals. Match the wire colours on the drawing to this list.
| # | Colour | From (part and leg) | To |
|---|
Steps run from top to bottom, then start again. While the simulation runs, the active step is highlighted in green.
Quantities come from the parts you added. The store links open a search for that item on Robu.in, Amazon.in and ThinkRobotics, so you always see what is in stock today. Check the model, voltage and price before you order.
| # | Item | Qty | Search term | Buy / compare |
|---|
The PDF has the circuit sketch, pin table, every wire, sequence, full code, the parts list with store links, do’s and don’ts for each part, and the safety notes. The project file lets you come back and keep editing.
In the real world
A colour sorting lamp
Choose the colour of the object in the simulator. The lamp shows the colour the sensor sees.
Tip: use the gold tab at the bottom of the circuit drawing to pull the real-world view up over the Arduino board. Your parts stay visible above it, so you can press a button and watch the real scene react.
- Colour sensor = the colour of the object