In this tutorial, we learn how to get started with NodeMCU ESP8266. We program the Nodemcu board using the Arduino IDE.
NodeMCU is just like the Arduino board with onboard Wi-Fi. It is small in size than Arduino Uno but similar to Arduino Nano. It is capable to connect to the internet using Wi-Fi and you can take your projects online.
It runs on the ESP8266 Wi-Fi Soc from Espressif Systems, and hardware which is based on the ESP-12 module. Lua scripting language is used by the firmware.
Read More about NodeMCU.
Components Needed
- NodeMCU (ESP8266) Board.
- LEDs.
- Breadboard.
- Arduino IDE.
Setting Up Arduino IDE for NodeMCU
Download and Install Arduino IDE:
- Now go to Files >> Preferences and paste the below link in Additional Boards Manager URLs.
http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json
![](https://techzeero.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/nodemcu-ide1-1024x576.webp)
![](https://techzeero.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/nodemcu-ide2-1024x576.webp)
Installing the ESP8266 Board:-
- Go to Tools >> Board >> Board Manager (at the top in the list).
- Search or Scroll down to Find ESP8266.
- Click on install.
![](https://techzeero.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/nodemcu-ide3-1024x576.webp)
![](https://techzeero.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/nodemcu-ide4-1024x576.webp)
Select Board (NodeMCU 1.0):-
![](https://techzeero.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/nodemcu-ide5-1024x576.webp)
After Selecting the Board, follow below settings:-
- Upload Speed: “115200”
- CPU Frequency: “80Mhz”
- Flash Size: “4M (no SPIFFS)”
- Debug Port: “Disabled”
- Debug Level: “None”
- IWIP Variant: “V2 Lower Memory”
- VTables: “Flash”
- Exceptions: “Disabled”
- Erase Flash: “Only Sketch”
- Port: “Where the device is connected”
![](https://techzeero.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/nodemcu-ide6-1024x576.webp)
Code for Blink Builtin LED of NodeMCU
- Goto Files >> Examples >> ESP8266
- Select the Blink Program and upload it.
NodeMCU GPIO Pins
Pin Names on NodeMCU Board | ESP8266 Internal GPIO Pin Number |
---|---|
D0 | GPIO16 |
D1 | GPIO5 |
D2 | GPIO4 |
D3 | GPIO0 |
D4 | GPIO2 |
D5 | GPIO14 |
D6 | GPIO12 |
D7 | GPIO13 |
D8 | GPIO15 |
RX/D9 | GPIO3 |
TX/D10 | GPIO1 |
SD2D11 | GPIO9 |
SD3D12 | GPIO10 |
Circuit Diagram For Blinking External LED using NodeMCU
In the below circuit, we connect the led to D0 pin whose GPIO number is 16.
![led blink using nodemcu](https://techzeero.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/nodemcu-circuit.webp)
Code For Blinking External LED using NodeMCU
For blinking an external led using NodeMCU upload the below code.