The ESP8266 is perhaps the most versatile serial module to connect 'things' at the Internet, that why it is so popular in the world of IoT. It is a complete module, which includes a microprocessor which can be programmed directly via the Arduino IDE (C), or in other environments to build (usually using a high level language itself, the 'LUA'). Getting Started with ESP8266 WiFi Transceiver (Review). ESP8266 Hack #1: Web Enabled LED - WiFi Internet-of-Things IoT. Basic Serial Communication using ESP8266 With Arduino UNO. I have the Arduino connected to the wifi ESP8266 module and when I run an empty code in the arduino it let me execute the AT commands in the serial monitor. Doing this all the AT commands are working (the module connects with the wifi modem).
About the ESP8266
A simple guide to sending data from one ESP8266 to another over Wi-Fi using an ad-hoc, device to device network, without using a wifi router. The ESP8266WebServer library allows you run an ESP8266 as a basic webserver and access point. This tutorial shows how to connect the ESP WiFi module to a Serial adapter (FTDI), connect to an access point and perform an HTTP request. Page with AT comma.
The ESP8266 is a $4 (up to $10) Wi-Fi module. It allows you to control inputs and outputs as you would do with an Arduino, but it comes with Wi-Fi. So, it is great for home automation/internet of things applications.
Serial Bridge Using ESP8266 One of the most well-known (appeared on Hackaday’s blog ) and well-designed projects to make ESP8266 as a WiFi-UART bridge is jeelabs’s esp-link. Actually, this project is far beyond being a simple serial bridge as it also manages MQTT client pub/sub and REST HTTP requests in order to connect the MCU to the internet.
So what can you do with this low cost module?
send HTTP requests
control outputs
read inputs and interrupts
If you want to create a web server with the ESP8266, we highly recommend following our tutorial: Build an ESP8266 Web Server
ESP8266 specifications
11 b/g/n protocol
Wi-Fi Direct (P2P), soft-AP
Integrated TCP/IP protocol stack
Built-in low-power 32-bit CPU
SDIO 2.0, SPI, UART
Comparing the ESP8266 with other Wi-Fi solutions on the market, it is a great option for most “Internet of Things” projects! It’s easy to see why it’s so popular: it only costs a few dollars and can be integrated in advanced projects. We’ve published dozens of free ESP8266 projects and tutorials.
There is a successor of the ESP8266 – the ESP32. The ESP32 combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and is dual core. Read the following article to find the differences between the ESP8266 and the ESP32:
ESP8266 Versions
The ESP8266 comes in a wide variety of versions (as shown in the figure below). The ESP-12E or often called ESP-12E NodeMCU Kit is currently the most practical version, in our opinion.
We highly recommend using the ESP8266-12E NodeMCU Kit, the one that has built-in programmer and lots of GPIOs. The built-in programmer makes it easy to prototype and upload your programs.
For a comparison between the different ESP8266 boards, you can read the following article:
ESP8266 Pinout
The most widely used ESP8266 development boards are the ESP-01, the ESP8266-12E NodeMCU Kit and the Wemos D1 Mini. We’ll show you the pinout for those boards. If you’re using another development board, make sure you have the right pinout.
ESP-12E NodeMCU Kit Pinout
Here’s a quick overview of the ESP-12E NodeMCU Kit pinout:
WeMos D1 Mini Pinout
Here’s the Wemos D1 Mini pinout:
ESP8266-01 Pinout
Here’s the ESP-01 pinout.
We recommend taking a look at our ESP8266 GPIO guide that shows in great detail the function of each GPIO and how to use them:
Programming the ESP8266 Using Arduino IDE
Arduino Esp8266 Serial Wifi Wireless Module
There are several ways to program the ESP8266. We often use Arduino IDE or MicroPython.
You can follow one of the next tutorials to get started with the ESP8266 in Arduino IDE or MicroPython:
Recommended ESP8266 Projects
After installing the ESP8266 board add-on in your Arduino IDE or flashing MicroPython formware, you can start making projects with the ESP8266.
We have a compilation with more than 30 projects and tutorials with the ESP8266:
To access all our MicroPython tutorials with the ESP8266 click here.
Here’s a selection of some of our most popular and beginner-friendly projects with the ESP8266:
Watch the ESP8266 Video Review
This video is a bit outdated but gives you a simple introduction to the ESP8266.
The ESP8266 is a Wi-Fi module great for IoT and Home Automation projects. This article is a getting started guide for the ESP8266 development board.
About the ESP8266
Esp8266 Serial Wifi Arduino
The ESP8266 is a $4 (up to $10) Wi-Fi module. It allows you to control inputs and outputs as you would do with an Arduino, but it comes with Wi-Fi. So, it is great for home automation/internet of things applications.
So what can you do with this low cost module?
send HTTP requests
control outputs
read inputs and interrupts
If you want to create a web server with the ESP8266, we highly recommend following our tutorial: Build an ESP8266 Web Server
ESP8266 specifications
11 b/g/n protocol
Wi-Fi Direct (P2P), soft-AP
Integrated TCP/IP protocol stack
Built-in low-power 32-bit CPU
SDIO 2.0, SPI, UART
Comparing the ESP8266 with other Wi-Fi solutions on the market, it is a great option for most “Internet of Things” projects! It’s easy to see why it’s so popular: it only costs a few dollars and can be integrated in advanced projects. We’ve published dozens of free ESP8266 projects and tutorials.
There is a successor of the ESP8266 – the ESP32. The ESP32 combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and is dual core. Read the following article to find the differences between the ESP8266 and the ESP32:
ESP8266 Versions
The ESP8266 comes in a wide variety of versions (as shown in the figure below). The ESP-12E or often called ESP-12E NodeMCU Kit is currently the most practical version, in our opinion.
We highly recommend using the ESP8266-12E NodeMCU Kit, the one that has built-in programmer and lots of GPIOs. The built-in programmer makes it easy to prototype and upload your programs.
For a comparison between the different ESP8266 boards, you can read the following article:
ESP8266 Pinout
The most widely used ESP8266 development boards are the ESP-01, the ESP8266-12E NodeMCU Kit and the Wemos D1 Mini. We’ll show you the pinout for those boards. If you’re using another development board, make sure you have the right pinout.
Esp8266 Serial Wifi Module Datasheet
Esp8266 Serial Wifi Config
ESP-12E NodeMCU Kit Pinout
Here’s a quick overview of the ESP-12E NodeMCU Kit pinout:
WeMos D1 Mini Pinout
Here’s the Wemos D1 Mini pinout:
ESP8266-01 Pinout
Here’s the ESP-01 pinout.
We recommend taking a look at our ESP8266 GPIO guide that shows in great detail the function of each GPIO and how to use them:
Programming the ESP8266 Using Arduino IDE
There are several ways to program the ESP8266. We often use Arduino IDE or MicroPython.
You can follow one of the next tutorials to get started with the ESP8266 in Arduino IDE or MicroPython:
Recommended ESP8266 Projects
After installing the ESP8266 board add-on in your Arduino IDE or flashing MicroPython formware, you can start making projects with the ESP8266.
We have a compilation with more than 30 projects and tutorials with the ESP8266:
Esp8266 Serial Wifi Module Test Board
To access all our MicroPython tutorials with the ESP8266 click here.
Here’s a selection of some of our most popular and beginner-friendly projects with the ESP8266:
Watch the ESP8266 Video Review
Esp8266 Serial Wifi Shield
This video is a bit outdated but gives you a simple introduction to the ESP8266.