# Source: https://learn.adafruit.com/animating-multiple-led-backpacks.md

# Animating Multiple LED Backpacks

## Overview

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/252/medium800/led_matrix_matrix.jpg?1396780997)

Adafruit LED backpacks make it incredibly simple to add small bitmapped displays to a project.&nbsp;Each requires just four wires: power, ground and two communication lines to a microcontroller.  
  
Two common questions we receive:  
1. How can I use more than one 8x8 matrix backpack in an Arduino sketch?
2. Can I have two (or more)&nbsp;matrices always showing the same image?

This tutorial demonstrates both.  
  
We’ve had spooky Halloween displays on the brain lately, but the concepts here are equally applicable to more innocent schemes!

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/002/253/medium800/led_matrix_skull2.jpg?1396781005)

http://youtu.be/qztpi-BVkqE

- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/animating-multiple-led-backpacks/wiring.md)

## Featured Products

### Adafruit Mini 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Yellow

[Adafruit Mini 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Yellow](https://www.adafruit.com/product/871)
What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_88) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_103). Matrices like these are...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/871)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/871/guides)
### Adafruit Mini 0.8" 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Yellow-Green

[Adafruit Mini 0.8" 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Yellow-Green](https://www.adafruit.com/product/872)
What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_88) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_103). Matrices like these are...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/872)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/872/guides)
### Adafruit Mini 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Blue

[Adafruit Mini 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Blue](https://www.adafruit.com/product/959)
What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_88) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_103). Matrices like these are...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/959)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/959/guides)
### Adafruit Small 1.2" 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Red

[Adafruit Small 1.2" 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Red](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1049)
What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_88) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_103). Matrices like these are...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1049)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1049/guides)
### Adafruit Small 1.2" 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Yellow

[Adafruit Small 1.2" 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Yellow](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1050)
What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_88) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_103). Matrices like these are...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1050)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1050/guides)
### Adafruit Small 1.2" 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Yellow-Green

[Adafruit Small 1.2" 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Yellow-Green](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1051)
What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_88) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_103). Matrices like these are...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1051)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1051/guides)
### Adafruit Small 1.2" 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Blue

[Adafruit Small 1.2" 8x8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack - Blue](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1052)
What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an [8x8 matrix](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_88) or a [4-digit 7-segment display](https://www.adafruit.com/category/37_103). Matrices like these are...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1052)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1052/guides)
### Adafruit Bicolor LED Square Pixel Matrix with I2C Backpack

[Adafruit Bicolor LED Square Pixel Matrix with I2C Backpack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/902)
What's better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small colorful display is to use a [1.2" Bi-color 8x8 LED Matrix](http://www.adafruit.com/products/458). Matrices like these are 'multiplexed' - so to control all the 128 LEDs you need 24 pins....

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/902)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/902/guides)

## Related Guides

- [Adafruit LED Backpacks](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-led-backpack.md)
- [Bluefruit LE Connect for iOS and Android](https://learn.adafruit.com/bluefruit-le-connect.md)
- [2.2" TFT Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/2-2-tft-display.md)
- [2.8" TFT Touch Shield](https://learn.adafruit.com/2-8-tft-touch-shield.md)
- [Matrix and 7-Segment LED Backpack with the Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/matrix-7-segment-led-backpack-with-the-raspberry-pi.md)
- [TMP36 Temperature Sensor](https://learn.adafruit.com/tmp36-temperature-sensor.md)
- [Wireless Gardening with Arduino + CC3000 WiFi Modules](https://learn.adafruit.com/wireless-gardening-arduino-cc3000-wifi-modules.md)
- [WiFi Candy Bowl Monitor](https://learn.adafruit.com/wifi-candy-bowl.md)
- [Line Following Zumo Robot Using Simulink](https://learn.adafruit.com/line-following-zumo-robot-programmed-with-simulink.md)
- [Wireless Power Switch with Arduino & the CC3000 WiFi Chip](https://learn.adafruit.com/wireless-power-switch-with-arduino-and-the-cc3000-wifi-chip.md)
- [Trinket / Gemma Space Invader Pendant](https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-slash-gemma-space-invader-pendant.md)
- [Tiny Arduino Music Visualizer](https://learn.adafruit.com/piccolo.md)
- [LED Matrix Hourglass](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-matrix-hourglass.md)
- [Nokia 5110/3310 Monochrome LCD](https://learn.adafruit.com/nokia-5110-3310-monochrome-lcd.md)
- [Wave Shield Voice Changer](https://learn.adafruit.com/wave-shield-voice-changer.md)