ESP32 - Keypad

This tutorial instructs you how to use ESP32 with keypad. In detail, we will learn:

Hardware Used In This Tutorial

1×ESP-WROOM-32 Dev Module
1×Micro USB Cable
1×Keypad 3x4 and 4x4 Kit
1×(Alternative) Keypad 3x4
1×(Alternative) Keypad 4x4
1×(Optional) 5V Power Adapter
1×(Optional) DC Power Jack
1×(Optional) ESP32 Screw Terminal Adapter
Disclosure: some of these links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission on your purchase at no extra cost to you. We appreciate it.

Introduction to Keypad

Keypad

The keypad is composed of a group of buttons arranged in the matrix (rows and columns). A button represents for a key. There are many types of keypad. The keypad 3x4 (12 keys) and keypad 4x4 (16 keys) is two most common-used on DIY projects.

Keypad Pinout

Keypad pins are categorized into two groups: row and column.

  • The keypad 3x4 has 7 pins:
    • R1, R2, R3, R4: row-pins
    • C1, C2, C3: column-pins
  • The keypad 4x4 has 8 pins:
    • R1, R2, R3, R4: row-pins
    • C1, C2, C3, C4: column-pins
    Keypad Pinout

    How Keypad Works

    See how keypad works

Wiring Diagram between Keypad and ESP32

  • ESP32 - Keypad 3x4 wiring diagram
ESP32 Keypad 3x4 wiring diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

  • ESP32 - Keypad 4x4 wiring diagram
ESP32 Keypad 4x4 wiring diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

ESP32 Code

Keypad 3x4

#include <Keypad.h> #define ROW_NUM 4 // four rows #define COLUMN_NUM 3 // three columns char keys[ROW_NUM][COLUMN_NUM] = { {'1', '2', '3'}, {'4', '5', '6'}, {'7', '8', '9'}, {'*', '0', '#'} }; byte pin_rows[ROW_NUM] = {18, 5, 17, 16}; // GIOP18, GIOP5, GIOP17, GIOP16 connect to the row pins byte pin_column[COLUMN_NUM] = {4, 0, 2}; // GIOP4, GIOP0, GIOP2 connect to the column pins Keypad keypad = Keypad( makeKeymap(keys), pin_rows, pin_column, ROW_NUM, COLUMN_NUM ); void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); } void loop() { char key = keypad.getKey(); if (key) { Serial.println(key); } }

Keypad 4x4

#include <Keypad.h> #define ROW_NUM 4 // four rows #define COLUMN_NUM 4 // four columns char keys[ROW_NUM][COLUMN_NUM] = { {'1', '2', '3', 'A'}, {'4', '5', '6', 'B'}, {'7', '8', '9', 'C'}, {'*', '0', '#', 'D'} }; byte pin_rows[ROW_NUM] = {19, 18, 5, 17}; // GIOP19, GIOP18, GIOP5, GIOP17 connect to the row pins byte pin_column[COLUMN_NUM] = {16, 4, 0, 2}; // GIOP16, GIOP4, GIOP0, GIOP2 connect to the column pins Keypad keypad = Keypad( makeKeymap(keys), pin_rows, pin_column, ROW_NUM, COLUMN_NUM ); void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); } void loop() { char key = keypad.getKey(); if (key) { Serial.println(key); } }

Quick Instructions

ESP32 add library
  • Type keypad on the search box, then look for the keypad library by Mark Stanley, Alexander Brevig
  • Click Install button to install keypad library.
ESP32 keypad library
  • Copy the above code and paste it to Arduino IDE.
  • Compile and upload code to ESP32 board by clicking Upload button on Arduino IDE
  • Open Serial Monitor on Arduino IDE
How to open serial monitor on Arduino IDE
  • Press some keys on keypad
  • See the result in Serial Monitor
COM6
Send
1 2 3 4 * #
Autoscroll Show timestamp
Clear output
9600 baud  
Newline  

Keypad and Password

The keypad is widely used to authenticate someone by password. In this tutorials, a valid password is pre-defined in the code. When an user inputs the password from keypad, it is compared with the pre-defined password:

  • If matched, the access is granted.
  • If not, the access is defined.

To use password with keypad, we specify two special keys:

  • A key to start inputting the password. For example, key "*"
  • A key to finish inputting the password. For example, key "#"

The password inputed from an user will be stored in a string, called the inputted password string. When a key is pressed:

  • If an inputted key is "*", clear the inputted password string to start new password
  • If an inputted key is NOT "*" or "#", add the key to the inputted password string.
  • If an inputted key is "#", compare the inputted password string with the pre-defined password.

Keypad - Password Code

/* * This ESP32 code is created by esp32io.com * * This ESP32 code is released in the public domain * * For more detail (instruction and wiring diagram), visit https://esp32io.com/tutorials/esp32-keypad */ #include <Keypad.h> #define ROW_NUM 4 // four rows #define COLUMN_NUM 3 // three columns char keys[ROW_NUM][COLUMN_NUM] = { {'1', '2', '3'}, {'4', '5', '6'}, {'7', '8', '9'}, {'*', '0', '#'} }; byte pin_rows[ROW_NUM] = {18, 5, 17, 16}; // GIOP18, GIOP5, GIOP17, GIOP16 connect to the row pins byte pin_column[COLUMN_NUM] = {4, 0, 2}; // GIOP4, GIOP0, GIOP2 connect to the column pins Keypad keypad = Keypad( makeKeymap(keys), pin_rows, pin_column, ROW_NUM, COLUMN_NUM ); const String password = "7890"; // change your password here String input_password; void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); input_password.reserve(32); // maximum input characters is 33, change if needed } void loop() { char key = keypad.getKey(); if (key) { Serial.println(key); if (key == '*') { input_password = ""; // clear input password } else if (key == '#') { if (password == input_password) { Serial.println("The password is correct, ACCESS GRANTED!"); // DO YOUR WORK HERE } else { Serial.println("The password is incorrect, ACCESS DENIED!"); } input_password = ""; // clear input password } else { input_password += key; // append new character to input password string } } }
  • Run above code
  • Open Serial Monitor on Arduino IDE
How to open serial monitor on Arduino IDE
  • Press "123456" keys and press "#"
  • Press "7890" keys and press "#"
  • See the result on Serial Monitor. It looks like the below:
COM6
Send
The password is incorrect, ACCESS DENIED! The password is correct, ACCESS GRANTED!
Autoscroll Show timestamp
Clear output
9600 baud  
Newline  

Video Tutorial

Making video is a time-consuming work. If the video tutorial is necessary for your learning, please let us know by subscribing to our YouTube channel , If the demand for video is high, we will make the video tutorial.

※ OUR MESSAGES