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3 · Outputs & actuators

RGB LED: mixing colours

Intermediate20 min

Goal

Create any colour with three PWM channels.

Why it matters

Additive red/green/blue synthesis is the principle behind every screen.

What you need

  • Arduino UNO board
  • 5 mm LED
  • 220 Ω resistor
  • LED RGB

Nothing to buy: every component below is simulated in the browser.

Steps

  1. 01Wire R, G, B to three PWM pins (9, 10, 11).
  2. 02Write a setColor(r, g, b) function.
  3. 03Cycle red, green, blue, yellow, cyan, magenta, white.

This tutorial runs inside the Circuitly simulator: your wiring and your code are checked automatically at every step.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to buy hardware for this tutorial?
No. Everything runs in the browser: Circuitly simulates the board, the components and the code. Real hardware is optional if you want to rebuild the circuit afterwards.
Which components are used?
Arduino UNO board, 5 mm LED, 220 Ω resistor, LED RGB. They are already available in the simulator library.
How long does it take?
About 20 minutes, intermediate level, in 3 guided steps.
What should I know before starting?
The previous tutorial in the series, “Potentiometer → brightness”, is enough preparation. No software install is required.
Is the code provided and checked?
The simulator checks your wiring and your code automatically at every step, and shows the commented solution if you get stuck.

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