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WS2812C

1-wire RGB · WorldSemi · ws281x

Channels
RGB
Bits / channel
8
Supply ≠
3.7–5.3 V
PWM
2 kHz
Backup data
no
Packages
5

Datasheets disagree

The sources we hold state different values for the facts below. Rather than pick one quietly, both sides are listed with where each was read. Check the datasheet for the exact part number and revision you are buying. How this is shown.

Supply voltage

V6 sheets state a lower minimum supply than the earlier WS2812C sheets.

What each source says about supply voltage
SourceSaysPage
ws2812c-c114587 VDD +3.7 to +5.3 V 2
ws2812c-v6-c55109521 VDD +3.3 to +5.3 V 2

What we show. 3.7 V is shown, the safer minimum.

A lower-current WS2812B: the WorldSemi sheets give the same data windows as the WS2812B-V5 and a 5 mA per-channel drive (12 mA for the WS2812B), most visible as the WS2812C-2020. Resellers position it as either the “economy” version or simply the small-package one; the datasheets say neither. See DATA-QUALITY.md.

Timing

Sources disagree. This is normal and worth understanding: FastLED's numbers are tuned to drive real parts reliably, including clones, while the datasheet gives the manufacturer's nominal figures. Both are recorded here rather than picking one and hiding the conflict.

WS2812C bit timingWS2812C bit timing: a zero bit is 300 nanoseconds high then 790 low; a one bit is 790 high then 790 low; reset 280 microseconds low1 · Bit encoding, to scaleDINhighlowbit 0 period 1090 nsbit 1 period 1580 nsT0H 300 nsT1H 790 nsT0L 790 nsT1L 790 ns"0" bit"1" bit02505007501000125015001750200022502500time, nsDatasheet lists unequal bit periods (1090 vs 1580 ns); each bit is drawn with its own.2 · One frame: 24 bits, most-significant bit firstDIN170110010007100110101700101100bitG · 8 bitsR · 8 bitsB · 8 bitsWire order GRB · frame = 24 × ~1580 ns ≈ 37.9 µs · example data, first bits 1 0 1 …3 · RESET / latchlast bits of frame 1first bits of frame 2LEDs latch the data they receivedRESET: DIN low ≥ 280 µs (not to scale)4 · Cascade: each DOUT feeds the next DINMCULED 1DINDOUTLED 2DINDOUTLED NDINDOUTLED 1 keeps the first 24 bits, re-shapes the signal and sends the rest out on DOUT;LED 2 keeps the next 24, and so on. The last LED's DOUT is left unconnected.
T0H 300 / T0L 790 · T1H 790 / T1L 790 ns · reset 280 µs source: datasheet
SourceT0HT0LT1HT1LPeriodRateReset±
fastled ↗ 250 ns 1000 ns 875 ns 375 ns 1250 ns 800 kHz 280 µs —
datasheet ↗ 300 ns 790 ns 790 ns 790 ns 1090 ns 917 kHz 280 µs —
Ranges, midpoints recorded: T0H 220-380 ns, T0L 580 ns-1 us, T1H 580 ns-1 us, T1L 580 ns-1 us, reset above 280 us - identical to the WS2812B-V5 sheet. The practical difference is the 5 mA per-channel drive.

Clones & compatibility

“Compatible” is never stated bare here — each relationship carries how strong the claim is, and what bites if you assume too much.

  • drop in WS2812B

    Sold as fully compatible with the WS2812B and driven identically by every library; the difference is packaging and cost, not signalling.

Library support

FastLED
WS2812 ↗
Adafruit_NeoPixel
NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800
WLED
WS281x

No library treats it as distinct from WS2812B.

Parts using this protocol

Dating evidence

Evidence, not a release date. A library commit proves the part existed by that date and says nothing about how long before.

  • 2017-05-23 datasheet revision WorldSemi WS2812C datasheet (LCSC C114587) Modify Record: 'V1.0 N New 20170523' ↗ day