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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The Raspberry Pi Sense HAT is an add-on board for Raspberry Pi devices with a 40-pin GPIO header. To get started, attach it to a compatible Pi, install Raspberry Pi’s sense-hat package, reboot, and try one of the installed Python examples.
What the Sense HAT does
The Sense HAT adds sensors and physical controls to a Raspberry Pi. Its components include a gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, temperature, barometric-pressure, humidity, colour and brightness sensors, an 8×8 RGB LED matrix, and a five-button joystick. It is an add-on, not a standalone computer. See Raspberry Pi’s Sense HAT documentation for the board and its capabilities.
Check compatibility and attach the board
Raspberry Pi’s stated hardware requirement is a Raspberry Pi device with a 40-pin GPIO header. The documentation does not give a broader model-by-model compatibility matrix, so check your host’s GPIO header and consult the current official instructions if your hardware or operating-system setup differs.
Install the Sense HAT software
On a Raspberry Pi running Raspberry Pi OS, the documented setup sequence is to update the system, install the package, and reboot:
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- The Sense HAT (B) is specially designed for Raspberry Pi, integrates multi powerful sensors such as gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, barometer, temperature and humidity sensor, etc. It is communicated via I2C interface, and allows to connect more external sensors if you need.
- Trying to make the Pi become a robot that can detect movement and orientation? Or using the Pi to collect environmental temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure data? This HAT would be your ideal choice.
- Standard Raspberry Pi 40PIN GPIO extension header, supports Raspberry Pi series boards Onboard ICM20948 (3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, and 3-axis magnetometer), detects movement, orientation, and magnetic
- Onboard SHTC3 digital temperature and humidity sensor, allows monitoring the environment Onboard LPS22HB barometric pressure sensor, allows monitoring the environment Onboard TCS34725 color sensor, identifies the color of nearby object
- Onboard ADS1015 ADC, 4-ch 12-bit precision, AD expansion to support more external sensors Brings I2C control pins, for connecting other host boards like STM32 Comes with development resources and manual (examples for Raspberry Pi/STM32)
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgradesudo apt install sense-hatsudo reboot
Raspberry Pi says the package setup ensures the kernel is up to date, enables I2C, and installs dependencies. Follow the live Sense HAT documentation if your OS version or configuration calls for a different procedure.
Run an example and make a first project
The official Python library provides access to the Sense HAT’s sensors and LED matrix. After installation, browse the included examples at /usr/src/sense-hat/examples. Raspberry Pi’s getting-started learning resource covers displaying text and images, changing orientation, and sensing environmental conditions and movement.
Rank #2
- Fits both Raspberry Pi 3B+ or the Raspberry Pi 4B (not included). Do not use the Pi 4B without a fan shim!
- Provides access to joystick and buttons on Sense Hat (not included)
- Inner layers provide room for Pimoroni Fan Shim (not included).
- Rubber feet and Stainless steel hardware included. GPIO access. No Heatsinks.
- Designed and Crafted by Local Artists in Tacoma, WA USA
A manageable first project is to display a message, read a sensor value, show that value on the matrix, then use joystick input to change the display or response. Building in that order lets you check the display, sensor access, and input separately before combining them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Try an emulator if you do not have the board
Raspberry Pi documentation describes a desktop or web emulator that can run Sense HAT experiments and provide virtual environmental sensor values. It is useful for exploring code without physical hardware, but the cited emulator announcements are historical and do not establish current availability for every operating system. Check current availability for your OS rather than relying on an old package command. The documentation does not provide a current emulator compatibility matrix.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Part Number: Sense HAT (C)
- Sense HAT (C) for Raspberry Pi, Onboard Multi Powerful Sensors, Supports External Sensors
- Onboard Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Magnetometer, Barometer, Temperature and humidity sensor, etc. Communicated Via I2C Interface, Supports External Sensors
- Standard Raspberry Pi 40PIN GPIO extension header, supports Raspberry Pi series boards
- Onboard QMI8658C+AK09918 (3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, and 3-axis magnetometer), detects movement, orientation, and magnetic
Rank #4
- Onboard QMI8658C+AK09918 (3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, and 3-axis magnetometer), detects movement, orientation, and magnetic
- Standard Raspberry Pi 40PIN GPIO extension header, supports Raspberry Pi series boards. Onboard SHTC3 digital temperature and humidity sensor, allows monitoring the environment.
- Onboard LPS22HB barometric pressure sensor, allows monitoring the environment. Onboard TCS34725 color sensor, identifies the color of nearby object
- Onboard SGM58031, 4-ch 16-bit precision ADC, AD expansion to support more external sensors
- Brings I2C control pins, for connecting other host boards like STM32
Rank #3
- Standard Raspberry Pi 40PIN GPIO extension header, supports Raspberry Pi series boards
- Onboard QMI8658C+AK09918 (3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, and 3-axis magnetometer), detects movement, orientation, and magnetic.Onboard SHTC3 digital temperature and humidity sensor, allows monitoring the environment
- Onboard LPS22HB barometric pressure sensor, allows monitoring the environment.Onboard TCS34725 color sensor, identifies the color of nearby object
- Onboard SGM58031, 4-ch 16-bit precision ADC, AD expansion to support more external sensors
- Brings I2C control pins, for connecting other host boards like STM32.Comes with development resources and manual (examples for Raspberry Pi/STM32)
Choose a starting route
| Route | What you need | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Sense HAT | A Raspberry Pi with a 40-pin GPIO header and the Sense HAT board | Practising with real sensor readings, the LED matrix, and joystick |
| Emulator | A computer and an emulator currently available for its operating system | Exploring code when a physical board is not available |
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