MAX7219 LED Driver

The MAX7219 LED Driver is a serial-interfaced display driver IC that controls up to 8 seven-segment digits, a bar graph or 64 individual LEDs such as an 8×8 LED matrix. It needs only three microcontroller pins, handles the multiplex scanning, includes a BCD decoder and brightness control, and several chips can be daisy-chained for larger displays with Arduino, ESP32 or Raspberry Pi.

MAX7219 LED Driver Specifications

• Display type: common-cathode LED displays
• Capacity: 8 digits or 64 individual LEDs
• Interface: 3-wire serial (DIN, CLK, LOAD), SPI-compatible, up to 10 MHz
• Decoding: BCD Code-B decoder or no-decode mode for each digit
• Brightness: 16-step digital control; peak segment current set by one external resistor
• Supply voltage: 4.0 V to 5.5 V
• Shutdown current: about 150 µA, display data kept
• Cascading: DOUT pin for daisy-chaining several drivers
• Pins: 24

MAX7219 LED Driver Applications

• 8×8 LED matrix displays and scrolling text signs
• 7-segment clocks, counters, scoreboards and meters
• LED bar graphs and indicator panels
• Arduino, ESP32 and Raspberry Pi display projects

What's in the Box

• 1 × MAX7219 LED driver IC

Tip: Connect the current-setting resistor from ISET (pin 18) to V+ and choose its value from the datasheet table for your LEDs, and fit a 10 µF and a 100 nF capacitor across the supply. The datasheet minimum input-high level is 3.5 V, so 3.3 V boards such as the ESP32 may need a level shifter.

Orders placed before 14:00 are ready for pickup the same day. Delivery across Lebanon usually takes 1–3 working days.