ESP32 - Potentiometer fade LED
This tutorial instructs you how to use ESP32 with the potentiometer to change the brightness of LED.
If you want to trigger LED when the voltage of potentiometer reaches a threshold, see ESP32 - potentiometer triggers LED tutorial
Hardware Used In This Tutorial
1 | × | ESP-WROOM-32 Dev Module | |
1 | × | USB Cable Type-C | |
1 | × | Potentiometer | |
1 | × | LED | |
1 | × | 220 ohm resistor | |
1 | × | Breadboard | |
1 | × | Jumper Wires | |
1 | × | (Optional) DC Power Jack | |
1 | × | (Recommended) ESP32 Screw Terminal Adapter |
Or you can buy the following sensor kit:
1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit 30 types, 69 units |
Introduction to LED and Potentiometer
We have specific tutorials about LED and potentiometer. Each tutorial contains detailed information and step-by-step instructions about hardware pinout, working principle, wiring connection to ESP32, ESP32 code... Learn more about them at the following links:
Wiring Diagram

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If you're unfamiliar with how to supply power to the ESP32 and other components, you can find guidance in the following tutorial: How to Power ESP32.
How To Program
- Reads the input on analog pin (value between 0 and 4095)
- Scales it to brightness (value between 0 and 255)
- Sets the brightness LED
ESP32 Code
Quick Instructions
- If this is the first time you use ESP32, see how to setup environment for ESP32 on Arduino IDE.
- 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

- Rotate the potentiometer
- See the LED fading
- See the result on Serial Monitor. It looks like the below:
Video Tutorial
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