# FT232 USB to TTL Serial Adapter

> FTDI FT232RL-based USB-to-TTL serial adapter with selectable 3.3V/5V logic, 6-pin header, and full modem signals. Essential tool for programming Arduino, ESP8266, and other MCUs.

## Quick Facts

- **Brand:** OpenELAB
- **Board Type:** module
- **Price:** ~$6.99
- **Product Readiness:** developer
- **CPU:** FT232RL embedded USB engine (no user-programmable CPU)
- **CPU Architecture:** Proprietary (FTDI USB engine)
- **RAM:** N/A (peripheral module)
- **Flash:** N/A (peripheral module)
- **USB:** Mini-USB
- **Power:** 5V
- **Operating Voltage:** 3.3V / 5V (selectable)

## Open Source

- **Firmware:** No
- **Schematics:** No
- **PCB Layout:** No

## Use Cases

- serial-programming
- iot

## Components

- **FT232RL** (usb-uart): FTDI FT232RL USB-to-serial converter with full modem control signals, up to 3Mbps baud rate, and 3.3V/5V I/O support. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fftdichip.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F08%2FDS_FT232R.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=ft232-usb-to-ttl&source=md-export)

## Protocols

- **UART**
- **USB**

## Description

## Overview

The FT232 USB to TTL Serial Adapter is an essential tool for embedded developers, providing reliable USB-to-UART conversion based on the genuine FTDI FT232RL chip. It bridges a computer's USB port to a 3.3V or 5V TTL serial interface, enabling firmware uploading, serial debugging, and communication with microcontrollers that lack built-in USB connectivity.

The adapter features a voltage selection jumper for switching between 3.3V and 5V logic levels, making it compatible with a wide range of targets including Arduino Pro Mini, ESP8266 ESP-01, STM32 boards, and bare AVR/ARM chips. The FT232RL supports baud rates up to 3Mbps with automatic hardware flow control (RTS/CTS), and its drivers are widely supported across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

A 6-pin header provides TX, RX, VCC, GND, RTS, and CTS connections. The RTS and DTR signals enable auto-reset for Arduino programming and automatic boot-mode entry for ESP8266/ESP32 flashing via esptool.

## Pinout

| Pin | Function |
|-----|----------|
| VCC | 3.3V or 5V output (selectable) |
| GND | Ground |
| TX | UART Transmit (to target RX) |
| RX | UART Receive (from target TX) |
| RTS | Request to Send (auto-reset) |
| CTS | Clear to Send |

## Key Features

- **Chip**: FTDI FT232RL (genuine)
- **Voltage**: Selectable 3.3V / 5V logic via jumper
- **Baud Rate**: Up to 3Mbps
- **USB**: Mini-USB or Micro-USB connector
- **LED Indicators**: TX/RX activity LEDs
- **OS Support**: Windows, macOS, Linux (built-in drivers)

## Where to Buy

- [OpenELAB](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fopenelab.io%2Fproducts%2Fft232-usb-to-ttl-serial&ref=openhardware.directory&product=ft232-usb-to-ttl&source=md-export) — $6.99

## Resources

- [product](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fopenelab.io%2Fproducts%2Fft232-usb-to-ttl-serial&ref=openhardware.directory&product=ft232-usb-to-ttl&source=md-export)

## Tags

`ft232`, `ftdi`, `usb-to-serial`, `uart`, `ttl`, `programmer`, `3.3v`, `5v`, `arduino`, `esp8266`

## Images

![FT232 USB to TTL Serial Adapter](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/ft232-usb-to-ttl/b99bec5b9436.png)

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