# Waveshare RP2040-Zero

> Ultra-compact RP2040 microcontroller board in a tiny form factor. Features dual-core Cortex-M0+ at 133 MHz, USB-C, onboard WS2812 RGB LED, and castellated pads. Raspberry Pi Pico compatible.

## Quick Facts

- **Brand:** Waveshare
- **Board Type:** dev-board
- **Price:** ~$3.99
- **Product Readiness:** developer
- **CPU:** RP2040
- **CPU Architecture:** ARM Cortex-M0+
- **CPU Cores:** 2
- **RAM:** 264 KB
- **Flash:** 2 MB
- **USB:** USB-C
- **Power:** 5V
- **Operating Voltage:** 3.3V

## Open Source

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

## Compatible Firmware

micropython, circuitpython, arduino, C/C++ SDK

## Use Cases

- IoT
- Prototyping
- Embedded Systems
- Wearables
- Education

## Components

- **RP2040** (Processor): Raspberry Pi's custom dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller running at up to 133 MHz with 264 KB SRAM and programmable I/O. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fdatasheets.raspberrypi.com%2Frp2040%2Frp2040-datasheet.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=rp2040-zero&source=md-export)
- **WS2812B** (LED): Individually addressable RGB LED with integrated driver IC for colorful status indication. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn-shop.adafruit.com%2Fdatasheets%2FWS2812.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=rp2040-zero&source=md-export)

## Protocols

- **SPI**
- **I2C**
- **UART**
- **PWM**
- **ADC**
- **PIO**

## Description

# Waveshare RP2040-Zero

The RP2040-Zero is an ultra-compact development board from Waveshare built around the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller. It packs the full power of the dual-core Cortex-M0+ processor into a board roughly the size of a postage stamp, making it ideal for space-constrained embedded projects.

## Key Features

- **RP2040 dual-core** ARM Cortex-M0+ at up to 133 MHz
- **264 KB SRAM** and **2 MB onboard flash**
- **USB-C** connector for power and programming
- **Onboard WS2812 RGB LED** for status indication
- **29 GPIO pins** via castellated pads (20 exposed on headers)
- Ultra-compact form factor: 23.5 x 18 mm
- UF2 bootloader for drag-and-drop programming
- Castellated pads for direct SMD soldering

## Programming Support

Fully compatible with the Raspberry Pi Pico software ecosystem:

- **MicroPython** — official RP2040 MicroPython port
- **CircuitPython** — Adafruit's Python variant
- **C/C++ SDK** — Raspberry Pi Pico SDK
- **Arduino IDE** — Arduino-Pico core

## Pinout and Interfaces

- 2x SPI, 2x I2C, 2x UART
- 16x PWM channels
- 4x 12-bit ADC channels
- 8x PIO state machines
- USB 1.1 host and device support

## Form Factor

The RP2040-Zero is designed to be as small as possible while still providing access to most RP2040 GPIO pins. The castellated pads allow it to be soldered directly onto a carrier PCB, making it perfect for custom hardware designs and embedded products.

## Where to Buy

- [OpenELab](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fopenelab.io%2Fproducts%2Frp2040-zero-a-pico&ref=openhardware.directory&product=rp2040-zero&source=md-export) — $3.99

## Resources

- [product](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waveshare.com%2Frp2040-zero.htm&ref=openhardware.directory&product=rp2040-zero&source=md-export)
- [wiki](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waveshare.com%2Fwiki%2FRP2040-Zero&ref=openhardware.directory&product=rp2040-zero&source=md-export)
- [github](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fraspberrypi%2Fpico-sdk&ref=openhardware.directory&product=rp2040-zero&source=md-export)

## Tags

`rp2040`, `micropython`, `circuitpython`, `compact`, `microcontroller`, `usb-c`

## Images

![Waveshare RP2040-Zero](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/rp2040-zero/31b2cfa5984e.jpg)
![Waveshare RP2040-Zero](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/rp2040-zero/00e794ef221b.jpg)
![Waveshare RP2040-Zero](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/rp2040-zero/810bf0b932ec.jpg)
![Waveshare RP2040-Zero](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/rp2040-zero/7f49e83864fa.jpg)
![Waveshare RP2040-Zero](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/rp2040-zero/b8647780d8e2.jpg)
![Waveshare RP2040-Zero](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/rp2040-zero/dbec989059c6.jpg)
![Waveshare RP2040-Zero](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/rp2040-zero/845096b22035.jpg)
![Waveshare RP2040-Zero](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/rp2040-zero/7d1aa00ad534.jpg)

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