Supported LED Types

Comprehensive guide to LED chipsets supported by FastLED.

Difficulty Level: ⭐ All Levels

Time to Find Information: 3-5 minutes

Prerequisites: None

You'll Find:

• Complete reference table of common LED chipsets (WS2812B, APA102, SK6812, WS2813, SK9822, WS2801, LPD8806, P9813) with voltage, speed, and key features
• Code examples for each chipset with correct LED_TYPE and COLOR_ORDER configuration for immediate copy-paste use
• Chipset selection guide comparing cost, speed, reliability, and use cases (when to use WS2812B vs APA102 vs SK6812 vs WS2813)
• Color order reference and testing code (GRB, RGB, BGR) with diagnostic test pattern to identify correct COLOR_ORDER for your specific LEDs
• Technical specifications including data rates, color depth, voltage requirements, current draw, and timing tolerance for major chipsets
• Wiring diagrams for single-wire LEDs (WS2812B family) and clock+data LEDs (APA102 family) with resistor placement
• Performance comparison table rating speed, reliability, cost, ease of use, and availability across popular LED types
• Troubleshooting guide for color order issues, first LED problems, partial failures, and random flickering

Common LED Types

Code Examples by Type

WS2812B / NeoPixel

#define LED_TYPE WS2812B
#define COLOR_ORDER GRB
FastLED.addLeds<LED_TYPE, DATA_PIN, COLOR_ORDER>(leds, NUM_LEDS);

Characteristics:

• Single data wire (no clock)
• 800 KHz data rate
• Most common and widely available
• Good for most applications
• Budget-friendly

APA102 / DotStar

#define LED_TYPE APA102
#define COLOR_ORDER BGR
FastLED.addLeds<LED_TYPE, DATA_PIN, CLOCK_PIN, COLOR_ORDER>(leds, NUM_LEDS);

Characteristics:

• Separate clock and data lines
• Much faster refresh rates (up to 20 MHz)
• Better color accuracy
• Good for long cable runs
• More expensive than WS2812B

SK6812 (RGBW)

// Note: FastLED doesn't natively support RGBW, use workaround:
#define LED_TYPE SK6812
#define COLOR_ORDER GRB
FastLED.addLeds<LED_TYPE, DATA_PIN, COLOR_ORDER>(leds, NUM_LEDS);

Characteristics:

• Similar to WS2812B
• RGBW variant available (adds white channel)
• Good for white light applications
• FastLED treats as RGB only

WS2813

#define LED_TYPE WS2813
#define COLOR_ORDER GRB
FastLED.addLeds<LED_TYPE, DATA_PIN, COLOR_ORDER>(leds, NUM_LEDS);

Characteristics:

• Backup data line for reliability
• Compatible with WS2812B protocol
• More robust than WS2812B
• Single LED failure won't break chain

Color Order Reference

Different LED types use different color orders:

// Common orders:
GRB  // WS2812B, WS2813, most strips
RGB  // Some WS2811, APA106
BGR  // APA102, SK9822
BRG  // Rare

Testing Color Order

void testColorOrder() {
    leds[0] = CRGB(255, 0, 0);  // Should show RED
    leds[1] = CRGB(0, 255, 0);  // Should show GREEN
    leds[2] = CRGB(0, 0, 255);  // Should show BLUE
    FastLED.show();

    // If wrong, try different COLOR_ORDER in setup
}

Choosing LED Type

Use WS2812B when:

• Budget-friendly option needed
• Single data wire preferred
• Speed isn't critical (<400 Hz refresh)
• Most common and compatible

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Widely available
• Single wire simplicity
• Good community support

Cons:

• Timing-sensitive
• Slower refresh rates
• Less reliable over long distances

Use APA102 when:

• Need higher refresh rates (>400 Hz)
• Want better color accuracy
• Have SPI pins available
• Need longer cable runs

Pros:

• Very fast refresh
• Separate clock line (more reliable)
• Better signal integrity
• Not timing-critical

Cons:

• More expensive
• Requires 2 wires (data + clock)
• Uses more pins on microcontroller

Use SK6812 when:

• Need RGBW (true white) capability
• Want WS2812B compatibility
• Working with white light displays

Pros:

• RGBW variants available
• Compatible with WS2812B code
• Good white light quality

Cons:

• Limited FastLED RGBW support
• Slightly more expensive than WS2812B

Use WS2813 when:

• Need reliability in long installations
• Want backup data line feature
• Concerned about single LED failures

Pros:

• Backup data line (more robust)
• WS2812B compatible
• Chain continues if LED fails

Cons:

• More expensive than WS2812B
• Still timing-sensitive like WS2812B

Technical Specifications

WS2812B

Data Rate:        800 KHz
Color Depth:      8-bit per channel (24-bit RGB)
Voltage:          5V (±0.5V)
Current per LED:  ~60mA at full white
Protocol:         Single wire, timing-based
Timing Tolerance: ±150ns

APA102

Data Rate:        Variable, up to 20 MHz
Color Depth:      8-bit per channel + 5-bit global brightness
Voltage:          5V (±0.5V)
Current per LED:  ~20mA at full white
Protocol:         SPI-like (clock + data)
Timing Tolerance: Not critical (clocked)

SK6812

Data Rate:        800 KHz
Color Depth:      8-bit per channel (24-bit RGB or 32-bit RGBW)
Voltage:          5V (±0.5V)
Current per LED:  ~60mA at full white (RGB), ~80mA (RGBW)
Protocol:         Single wire, timing-based
Timing Tolerance: ±150ns

Wiring Guidelines

Single Wire LEDs (WS2812B, SK6812, WS2813)

Microcontroller GPIO ──[220Ω resistor]──> LED Strip DATA
Microcontroller GND  ───────────────────> LED Strip GND
Power Supply 5V      ───────────────────> LED Strip VCC
Power Supply GND     ───────────────────> LED Strip GND + MCU GND

Clock + Data LEDs (APA102, SK9822)

Microcontroller MOSI ──[220Ω resistor]──> LED Strip DATA
Microcontroller SCK  ──[220Ω resistor]──> LED Strip CLOCK
Microcontroller GND  ───────────────────> LED Strip GND
Power Supply 5V      ───────────────────> LED Strip VCC
Power Supply GND     ───────────────────> LED Strip GND + MCU GND

Common Issues

Wrong Colors Displayed

Problem: LEDs show incorrect colors Solution: Try different COLOR_ORDER values (GRB, RGB, BGR, etc.)

First LED Flickers or Wrong

Problem: First LED unreliable Solution: Add 220-470Ω resistor on data line near microcontroller

LEDs Work Partially

Problem: First N LEDs work, rest don't Solution:

• Check power supply capacity
• Look for damaged LED at cutoff point
• Add power injection every 60-100 LEDs

Random Flickering

Problem: LEDs flicker randomly Solution:

• Add 1000µF capacitor across power supply
• Ensure solid ground connections
• Check power supply capacity

Performance Comparison

Navigation

• ← Back to Reference
• API Quick Reference
• Pin Configurations
• ← Back to Cookbook