# Adafruit Gemma M0 ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/044/366/medium800thumb/gemma_3501_giffy.jpg?1501287645) The Gemma M0 is a super small microcontroller board, with just enough to build many simple projects. It may look small and cute: round, about the size of a quarter, with friendly alligator-clip sew pads. But do not be fooled! The Gemma M0 is incredibly powerful! We've taken the same form factor we used for [the original ATtiny85-based Gemma](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1222) and gave it a power up. The Gemma M0 has swapped out the lightweight ATtiny85 for a ATSAMD21E18 powerhouse. It will super-charge your wearables! It's just as small, and it's easier to use, so you can do more. The most exciting part of the Gemma M0 is that while you can use it with the Arduino IDE, we are shipping it with CircuitPython on board. When you plug it in, it will show up as a very small disk drive with **main.py** on it. Edit **main.py** with your favorite text editor to build your project using Python, the most popular programming language. No installs, IDE or compiler needed, so you can use it on any computer, even ChromeBooks or computers you can't install software on. When you're done, unplug the Gemma M0 and your code will go with you. You can also use [MakeCode](https://maker.makecode.com/)'s block-based GUI coding environment on this board. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/044/343/medium800/gemma_3501_top_ORIG.jpg?1501098357) Here are some of the updates you can look forward to when using Gemma M0: - Same size, form-factor, and pinout as classic Gemma - Updating ATtiny85 8-bit AVR for ATSAMD21E18 32-bit Cortex M0+ - **256KB Flash** - 8x as much as 8 KB on ATtiny85 - **32 KB RAM** - 64x as much as 512 bytes on ATtiny85 - **48 MHz 32 bit processor** - 6x as fast as ATtiny85 (not even taking into account 32-bit speedups) - **Native USB supported by every OS** - can be used in Arduino or CircuitPython as USB serial console, Keyboard/Mouse HID, even a little disk drive for storing Python scripts. (ATtiny85 does not have native USB) - Can be used with **Arduino IDE** or **CircuitPython** - **Built in RGB DotStar LED** - **Three big-hole sew-pads** can be used for conductive thread or alligator-clips for fast prototyping - Each I/O pad can be used for **12-bit analog input** , or **digital input/output** with internally connected pullups or pulldowns - We gave the M0 pads the exact same names as the original Gemma so all your existing Arduino code will work exactly the same as-is without changes - True **analog output** on one I/O pad - can be used to play 10-bit quality audio clips - **Two** **high speed PWM** outputs on other two I/O Pads - for servos, LEDs, etc - All three pads can also be used as **hardware capacitive touch sensors** with no additional components required - Can drive **NeoPixels or DotStars on any pins, with enough memory to drive 8000+ pixels**. [DMA-NeoPixel support on one pin](../../../../dma-driven-neopixels)so you can drive pixels without having to spend any processor time on it. - Native hardware I2C or Serial available on two pads so you can connect to any I2C or Serial device with true hardware support (no annoying bit-banging) - Same **Reset switch** for starting your project code over - **On/Off switch** built in - **JST battery connector** for plugging in AAA's or LiPoly battery (no built-in LiPoly charging so it is safe to use with NiMH/Alkalines) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/044/344/medium800/gemma_3501_quarter_ORIG.jpg?1501098368) Each order comes with one fully assembled and tested Gemma M0 with CircuitPython & example code programmed in. So what are you waiting for? Pick up a Gemma M0 today and be amazed at how easy and fast it is to get started with Gemma and CircuitPython! - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-gemma-m0/guided-tour.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit GEMMA M0 - Miniature wearable electronic platform [Adafruit GEMMA M0 - Miniature wearable electronic platform](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3501) The **Adafruit Gemma M0** is a super small microcontroller board, with just enough built-in to create many simple projects. It may look small and cute: round, about the size of a quarter, with friendly alligator-clip sew pads. But do not be fooled! The Gemma M0 is incredibly... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3501) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3501/guides) ### Stainless Thin Conductive Thread - 2 ply - 23 meter/76 ft [Stainless Thin Conductive Thread - 2 ply - 23 meter/76 ft](https://www.adafruit.com/product/640) After months of searching, we finally have what we consider to be the ultimate conductive thread. It's thin, strong, smooth, and made completely of 316L stainless steel. Once you start working with this thread you'll quickly agree its optimal for any wearables work! This... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/640) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/640/guides) ### Stainless Medium Conductive Thread - 3 ply - 18 meter/60 ft [Stainless Medium Conductive Thread - 3 ply - 18 meter/60 ft](https://www.adafruit.com/product/641) After months of searching, we finally have what we consider to be the ultimate conductive thread. It's thin, strong, smooth, and made completely of 316L stainless steel. Once you start working with this thread you'll quickly agree its optimal for any wearables work! This... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/641) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/641/guides) ### Copper Foil Tape with Conductive Adhesive - 6mm x 15 meter roll [Copper Foil Tape with Conductive Adhesive - 6mm x 15 meter roll](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1128) Copper tape can be an interesting addition to your toolbox. The tape itself is made of thin pure copper so its extremely flexible and can take on nearly any shape. You can easily solder to it, and the tape itself can carry current just like a wire. On the back is an electrically conductive... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1128) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1128/guides) ### Small Alligator Clip Test Lead (set of 12) [Small Alligator Clip Test Lead (set of 12)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1008) Connect this to that without soldering using these handy mini alligator clip test leads. 15" cables with alligator clip on each end, color coded. You get 12 pieces in 6 colors. Strong and grippy, these always come in handy! We often use these in conjunction with a multimeter so we... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1008) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1008/guides) ### Copper Foil Tape with Conductive Adhesive - 25mm x 15 meter roll [Copper Foil Tape with Conductive Adhesive - 25mm x 15 meter roll](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1127) Copper tape can be an interesting addition to your toolbox. The tape itself is made of thin pure copper so its extremely flexible and can take on nearly any shape. You can easily solder to it, and the tape itself can carry current just like a wire. On the back is an electrically conductive... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1127) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1127/guides) ## Related Guides - [LED candles: simple, easy, cheap](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-candles-simple-easy-cheap.md) - [Best Beginner Boards for Teachers](https://learn.adafruit.com/best-beginner-boards-for-teachers.md) - [Close Encounters Hat](https://learn.adafruit.com/close-encounters-hat.md) - [Using MCP23008 & MCP23017 with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-mcp23008-mcp23017-with-circuitpython.md) - [CircuitPython I2C and SPI Under the Hood](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-basics-i2c-and-spi.md) - [Flashing LED Strand with MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/flashing-led-strand-with-makecode.md) - [Space Face LED Galaxy Makeup](https://learn.adafruit.com/space-face-led-galaxy-makeup.md) - [Spy Theme Playback Device](https://learn.adafruit.com/spy-theme-playback-device.md) - [Trinket / Gemma IR Control](https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-gemma-ir-remote-control.md) - [Trinket / Gemma Blinky Eyes](https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-gemma-blinky-eyes.md) - [CircuitPython Essentials](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-essentials.md) - [Using MPL3115A2 with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-mpl3115a2-with-circuitpython.md) - [Interactive Gift Box](https://learn.adafruit.com/interactive-custom-gift-box.md) - [Disco Band Camp Jacket](https://learn.adafruit.com/disco-band-camp-jacket.md) - [NeoPixel Flame Torch](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-flame-torch.md)