---
title: "8x6 LED Matrix Shield for Ardiuno"
description: "\\ This is a quick video demonstrating the LED Matrix Shield for the Arduino. This Matrix is an 8x6 \"Normal\" matrix. (It is not (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlieplexing…"
canonical: "https://www.baldengineer.com/8x6-led-matrix-shield-for-ardiuno.html"
author: "James Lewis"
date: "2010-09-27T01:34:40Z"
lastmod: "2015-03-24T16:31:30Z"
image: "https://www.baldengineer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/youtube-1GKAh_ezETU.jpg"
categories: ["8x6-matrix-shield"]
tags: ["add-ohms","arduino-stuff","arduino-shield","blue-leds","matrix"]
---

# 8x6 LED Matrix Shield for Ardiuno


[YouTube video 1GKAh_ezETU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GKAh_ezETU)


This is a quick video demonstrating the LED Matrix Shield for the Arduino.  This Matrix is an 8x6 "Normal" matrix.  (It is not [Chairleplexed](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlieplexing "Wikipedia Article on Charlieplexing").)  Blue LEDs were used to give it a brilliant hue and to provide another source of light in dimly lit apartment homes.  Only one row of the Matrix is lit up at one time.  This is done to save power and because the ATMega processor of the Arduino cannot source or sink more than 200mA of current.

**Update 10/6/2012:  [Project page now available](/led-matrix-arduino-shield.html "LED Matrix Arduino Shield").**

The scrolling message can be any string of characters between ASCII 32 and 255. The font is a 8x6 font based on 5x7 characters.  Click below to see a picture of the Shield sitting on top of an Arduino.

 [![8x6 LED matrix shield mounted on an Arduino board](/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/8x6_matrix_pcb_4-500x500-300x300.jpg)](/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/8x6_matrix_pcb_4-500x500-300x300.jpg)