ESP32 - Servo Motor

This tutorial instructs you how to use ESP32 to control a servo motor.

This tutorial shows how to program the ESP32 using the Arduino language (C/C++) via the Arduino IDE. If you’d like to learn how to program the ESP32 with MicroPython, visit this ESP32 MicroPython - Servo Motor tutorial.

Hardware Used In This Tutorial

1	×	ESP-WROOM-32 Dev Module
1	×	USB Cable Type-A to Type-C (for USB-A PC)
1	×	USB Cable Type-C to Type-C (for USB-C PC)
1	×	Servo Motor
1	×	Breadboard
1	×	Jumper Wires
1	×	Optionally, DC Power Jack
1	×	Recommended: Screw Terminal Expansion Board for ESP32
1	×	Recommended: Power Splitter for ESP32

Or you can buy the following kits:

1	×	DIYables ESP32 Starter Kit (ESP32 included)
1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays)
1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)

Disclosure: Some of the links in this section are Amazon affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through them. Additionally, some links direct you to products from our own brand, DIYables .

Introduction to Servo Motor

The standard servo motor is a motor that can rotate between 0° and 180°.

Servo Motor Pinout

The servo motor has three pins:

GND pin: (brown or black) connects this pin to GND (0V)
VCC pin: (red) connects this pin to VCC (5V)
Signal pin: (yellow or orange) receives the PWM control signal from an ESP32's pin.

How Servo Motor Works

See How servo motor works

Wiring Diagram between Servo Motor and ESP32

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

For the sake of simplicity, the above wiring diagram is used for the testing or learning purposes, and for small-torque servo motor. In practice, we highly recommend using the external power supply for the servo motor. The below wiring diagram shows how to connect servo motor to an external power source.

ESP32 servo motor external power supply wiring diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

The below show a real wiring between servo motor and ESP32.

ESP32 servo motor power supply wiring diagram

If you're unfamiliar with how to supply power to the ESP32 and other components, you can find guidance in the following tutorial: The best way to Power ESP32 and sensors/displays.

ESP32 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-servo-motor */ #include <Servo.h> #define SERVO_PIN 26 // ESP32 pin GPIO26 connected to servo motor Servo servoMotor; void setup() { servoMotor.attach(SERVO_PIN); // attaches the servo on ESP32 pin } void loop() { // rotates from 0 degrees to 180 degrees for (int pos = 0; pos <= 180; pos += 1) { // in steps of 1 degree servoMotor.write(pos); delay(15); // waits 15ms to reach the position } // rotates from 180 degrees to 0 degrees for (int pos = 180; pos >= 0; pos -= 1) { servoMotor.write(pos); delay(15); // waits 15ms to reach the position } }

Quick Instructions

If this is the first time you use ESP32, see how to setup environment for ESP32 on Arduino IDE.
Do the wiring as above image.
Connect the ESP32 board to your PC via a micro USB cable
Open Arduino IDE on your PC.
Select the right ESP32 board (e.g. ESP32 Dev Module) and COM port.
Click to the Libraries icon on the left bar of the Arduino IDE.
Type ServoESP32 on the search box, then look for the servo library by Jaroslav Paral. Please be aware that both version 1.1.1 and 1.1.0 are affected by bugs. Kindly choose a different version.
Click Install button to install servo motor library for ESP32.

Copy the above code and paste it to Arduino IDE.
Compile and upload code to ESP32 board by clicking Upload button on Arduino IDE

See the result: Servo motor rotates slowly about 180° in clockwise and counter-clockwise direction

Line-by-line Code Explanation

The above ESP32 code contains line-by-line explanation. Please read the comments in the code!

How to Control Speed of Servo Motor

See How to Control Speed of Servo Motor

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.

The instruction and source code for the above video available at how to control servo motor via web tutotiral

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