# Source: https://learn.adafruit.com/light-meter.md

# Light Meter

## Overview & Parts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zGL-Ln3BqA

I recently needed to measure how different materials affect light transmission for a gardening project. &nbsp;This seemed like a perfect fit for an Arduino project based around the TSL2561 Light sensor.

It can display the raw "Visible light" count from the sensor and then the calculated Lux.

I used the following parts in this project:

- [Arduino Uno](http://www.adafruit.com/products/50)
- [TSL2561 Digital Light Sensor](http://www.adafruit.com/products/439 "Link: http://www.adafruit.com/products/439")
- [16×2 LCD](http://www.adafruit.com/products/181 "Link: http://www.adafruit.com/products/181")
- [LCD I2C / SPI&nbsp;Backpack](http://www.adafruit.com/products/292 "Link: http://www.adafruit.com/products/292")

Optional&nbsp;(but definitely helps keep everything tidy):

- [Lady Ada’s Bento Box](http://www.adafruit.com/products/765 "Link: http://www.adafruit.com/products/765")

- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/light-meter/code-and-wiring.md)

## Featured Products

### Adafruit TSL2561 Digital Luminosity/Lux/Light Sensor Breakout

[Adafruit TSL2561 Digital Luminosity/Lux/Light Sensor Breakout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/439)
The TSL2561 luminosity sensor is an advanced digital light sensor, ideal for use in a wide range of light situations. Compared to low cost CdS cells, this sensor is more precise, allowing for exact lux calculations and can be configured for different gain/timing ranges to detect light ranges...

No Longer Stocked
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/439)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/439/guides)
### i2c / SPI character LCD backpack - STEMMA QT / Qwiic

[i2c / SPI character LCD backpack - STEMMA QT / Qwiic](https://www.adafruit.com/product/292)
Character LCDs are a fun and easy way to have your microcontroller project talk back to you. They are also common, and easy to get, available in tons of colors and sizes. [We've written tutorials on using character LCDs with an Arduino](http://learn.adafruit.com/character-lcds)...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/292)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/292/guides)
### Standard LCD 16x2 + extras

[Standard LCD 16x2 + extras](https://www.adafruit.com/product/181)
Standard HD44780 LCDs are useful for creating standalone projects.

- 16 characters wide, 2 rows
- White text on blue background
- Connection port is 0.1" pitch, single row for easy breadboarding and wiring
- Pins are documented on the back of the LCD to assist...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/181)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/181/guides)
### 4-channel I2C-safe Bi-directional Logic Level Converter

[4-channel I2C-safe Bi-directional Logic Level Converter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/757)
Because the Arduino (and Basic Stamp) are 5V devices, and most modern sensors, displays, flashcards, and modes are 3.3V-only, many makers find that they need to perform level shifting/conversion to protect the 3.3V device from 5V. Here we've got a **&nbsp;4-channel I2C-safe...**

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/757)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/757/guides)
### Adafruit METRO 328 Fully Assembled - Arduino IDE compatible

[Adafruit METRO 328 Fully Assembled - Arduino IDE compatible](https://www.adafruit.com/product/50)
We sure love the ATmega328 here at Adafruit, and we use them&nbsp;_a lot_&nbsp;for our own projects. The processor has plenty of GPIO, Analog inputs, hardware UART SPI and I2C, timers and PWM galore - just enough for most simple projects. When we need to go small, we use a <a...></a...>

Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/50)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/50/guides)

## Related Guides

- [I2C/SPI LCD Backpack](https://learn.adafruit.com/i2c-spi-lcd-backpack.md)
- [Smart Measuring Cup](https://learn.adafruit.com/smart-measuring-cup.md)
- [Introducing Adafruit Trellis ](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-trellis-diy-open-source-led-keypad.md)
- [Wireless Game Show Poppers for the Classroom!](https://learn.adafruit.com/wireless-game-show-poppers.md)
- [Adafruit INA219 Current Sensor Breakout](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-ina219-current-sensor-breakout.md)
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- [Sending an SMS with Temboo](https://learn.adafruit.com/sending-an-sms-with-temboo.md)
- [Ladyada's Learn Arduino - Lesson #0](https://learn.adafruit.com/ladyadas-learn-arduino-lesson-number-0.md)
- [Arduino "Hunt The Wumpus"](https://learn.adafruit.com/arduino-hunt-the-wumpus.md)
- [Making Adabot: Part 2](https://learn.adafruit.com/making-adabot-part-2.md)
- [CircuitPython Libraries on Linux and the 96Boards DragonBoard 410c](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-libraries-on-linux-and-the-96boards-dragonboard-410c.md)
- [Wave Shield Talking Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/wave-shield-talking-clock.md)
- [Program an AVR or Arduino Using Raspberry Pi GPIO](https://learn.adafruit.com/program-an-avr-or-arduino-using-raspberry-pi-gpio-pins.md)