WS2812B Addressable RGB LED Module (Individually Controllable)

A single LED with its own onboard controller

The WS2812B is a compact, intelligent RGB LED module with its control circuit and LED built into the same 5050-size package, which is what makes it individually addressable: rather than wiring separate control lines to each LED, a whole string of these modules can be controlled and daisy-chained using a single data line, with each module reading and passing along just the portion of the data meant for it.

Communication uses single-line NZR (non-return-to-zero) signaling, and the chip includes auto-reshaping of the transmission waveform as it passes from one module to the next, which helps keep long chains of these LEDs working reliably even as the signal degrades slightly across many modules.

Color range and specifications

Each module offers 256 brightness levels per color channel, giving over 16 million possible colors, and the built-in circuit supports a data transmission rate of 800Kbps with a scan frequency above 400Hz, translating into smooth-looking color and brightness changes rather than visible flicker. Wavelengths are rated at 620-630nm for red, 515-530nm for green and 465-475nm for blue, with a 120-degree viewing angle for even light spread.

It runs on a 5VDC input supply, measures 9.4mm in diameter and 2.73mm in height, and weighs just 0.3g. A built-in reset circuit and reverse-connection protection add a small amount of resilience against wiring mistakes or a noisy power line, both common issues in DIY LED projects with many modules chained together.

Who it suits

Anyone building custom LED strips, matrices or effect lighting for cosplay, signage or decorative projects, and needing individually controllable colors from a single microcontroller pin, will find the WS2812B a standard and well-supported building block, backed by widely available libraries for common microcontroller platforms.

Questions buyers ask

Can each LED be controlled individually?

Yes, each module is individually addressable along the same data line.

How many wires does it need for control?

A single data line per chain, alongside power and ground.

How many colors can it display?