Sensors

LIS3DH

Low-power 3-axis accelerometer common in wearable and battery-powered maker modules.

STMicroelectronicsActiveModerate

Best For

Projects needing Accelerometer and Low power with a commonly available sensors part.

Avoid If

You need production-grade certainty without checking the exact module vendor, pinout, and library maintenance status.

Quick Decision Notes

LIS3DH is indexed as a sensors part from STMicroelectronics. ChipScout tracks it by practical maker-facing dimensions: interfaces, library readiness, estimated price, field-level sources, and whether the page is strong enough for selection rather than only lookup.

Technical Specifications

Measurement3-axis accelerometerSource: STMicroelectronics
InterfaceI2C / SPISource: STMicroelectronics
Range±2g to ±16gSource: STMicroelectronics
Working Voltage1.71V - 3.6VSource: STMicroelectronics

Common Use Cases

  • Maker prototypes
  • Low-cost modules
  • Educational hardware

Known Issues

  • Breakout boards may use different pin labels or regulator choices
  • Clone modules can differ from the original datasheet part

Interfaces and Library Support

Interfaces
I2CSPI
Wireless
None
Voltage
3.3V
Libraries
Arduino verifiedMicroPython verified
Data Integrity84% confidence
Sourcehttps://www.st.com/
Last verified2026-05-20
Core specsVerified
PinoutAvailable
Library supportChecked
Price rangePresent
Found a wrong spec?

Every field is meant to be source-backed. Corrections should include a datasheet URL, vendor page, module photo, or reproducible library test.

Submit correction

Source Resources

Pinout Table

VCC3.3VPower the module from a rail that matches the breakout board, not just the bare IC.
GNDCommon groundConnect ground between the controller, sensor/module, and external power supply.
SDAMCU I2C dataUse pull-ups appropriate for the board voltage; many modules already include them.
SCLMCU I2C clockKeep wiring short for breadboard prototypes and lower bus speed if unstable.
SCKMCU SPI clockShare with other SPI devices when chip select lines are separate.
MOSIMCU SPI data outRequired for most displays, radios, and writable devices.
MISOMCU SPI data inMay be optional for write-only displays.
CSAny free GPIOUse one chip-select pin per SPI peripheral.

Pinout is not yet source-verified. Use the table as an integration checklist, then confirm exact pins against the module vendor page before wiring hardware.

Common Wiring

VCC

Power the module from a rail that matches the breakout board, not just the bare IC.

GND

Connect ground between the controller, sensor/module, and external power supply.

SDA

Use pull-ups appropriate for the board voltage; many modules already include them.

SCL

Keep wiring short for breadboard prototypes and lower bus speed if unstable.

Arduino Example

#include <Wire.h>

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Wire.begin();
  Serial.println("LIS3DH I2C wiring smoke test");
}

void loop() {
  // Replace this with the maintained LIS3DH library call.
  Serial.println("Check LIS3DH on the I2C bus, then read a sample.");
  delay(1000);
}

MicroPython Example

from machine import Pin, I2C
import time

i2c = I2C(0, scl=Pin(1), sda=Pin(0), freq=100000)
print("LIS3DH I2C devices:", i2c.scan())

while True:
    # Replace with the maintained LIS3DH driver call.
    print("read LIS3DH sample")
    time.sleep(1)

Recommended Development Boards

ESP32-C3 development board

Low-cost Wi-Fi/BLE board with enough interfaces for most sensors and modules.

Arduino Uno R4 / compatible

Good baseline for beginner wiring and library validation.

Raspberry Pi Pico W

Practical MicroPython target for I2C, SPI, UART, PWM, and ADC experiments.

Alternative Model Reasons

ACS712SensorsCompare this option when price or module availability is the deciding constraint.
ADXL345SensorsSame-category alternative worth checking for pinout, library, and supply differences.
AHT10SensorsCompare this option when price or module availability is the deciding constraint.
AHT20SensorsCompare this option when price or module availability is the deciding constraint.

Common Questions

What is LIS3DH best used for?

Projects needing Accelerometer and Low power with a commonly available sensors part.

Does LIS3DH support Arduino or MicroPython?

LIS3DH has verified Arduino support and verified MicroPython support.

What interfaces does LIS3DH use?

LIS3DH lists I2C, SPI; wireless support is no wireless protocol.

Compare LIS3DH vs ACS712

Alternatives and Related Parts