Adafruit OPT4048 XYZ Color Sensor

An easy to use Tri-Stimulus XYZ Color, Light Temperature and Lux Sensor

by Tim C

published June 03, 2025, last edited June 03, 2026

posted in Adafruit Products Sensors/ Light Arduino Compatibles CircuitPython STEMMA

Beginner

Product guide

Arduino

Using the OPT4048 breakout with Arduino involves wiring up the breakout to your Arduino-compatible microcontroller, installing the Adafruit_OPT4048 library, and running the provided example code.

Wire as shown for a 5V board like an Uno. If you are using a 3V board, like an Adafruit Feather, wire the board's 3V pin to the sensor VIN.

Here is an Adafruit Metro wired up to the sensor using the STEMMA QT connector:

Adafruit Metro wired to the OPT4048 sensor breakout via STEMMA connection.

Board 5V to sensor VCC (red wire)
Board GND to sensor GND (black wire)
Board SCL to sensor SCL (yellow wire)
Board SDA to sensor SDA (blue wire)

Here is an Adafruit Metro wired up using a solderless breadboard:

Adafruit Metro wired to the OPT4048 sensor breakout via breadboard connections.

Board 5V to sensor VCC (red wire)
Board GND to sensor GND (black wire)
Board SCL to sensor SCL (yellow wire)
Board SDA to sensor SDA (blue wire)

Library Installation

You can install the Adafruit_OPT4048 library for Arduino using the Library Manager in the Arduino IDE.

Arduino IDE tools menu with Manage Libraries item being highlighted and clicked.

Open the Tools menu then click Manage Libraries.

Arduino IDE with library manager pane open and "Adafruit_OPT4048" in the search box. The library appears in the list of results with the install button ready to be pressed

Search for Adafruit_OPT4048, and select the Adafruit_OPT4048 library, then click the Install button.

If asked about dependencies, click "Install all".

Arduino IDE dialog asking if the user wants to install dependencies for Adafruit_OPT4048 library.

If the "Dependencies" window does not come up, then you already have the dependencies installed.

If the dependencies are already installed, you must make sure you update them through the Arduino Library Manager before loading the example!

Example Code

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/*!
 * @file test_opt4048.ino
 *
 * A basic demo for using the OPT4048 tristimulus XYZ color sensor
 * 
 * This example reads the sensor values from all four channels (X, Y, Z, W),
 * demonstrates setting and getting threshold values, and displays the results.
 */

#include <Wire.h>
#include "Adafruit_OPT4048.h"

// Create sensor object
Adafruit_OPT4048 sensor;

void setup() {
  // Initialize serial communication
  Serial.begin(115200);
  
  // Wait for serial monitor to open
  while (!Serial) {
    delay(10);
  }

  Serial.println(F("Adafruit OPT4048 Tristimulus XYZ Color Sensor Test"));

  // Initialize the sensor
  if (!sensor.begin()) {
    Serial.println(F("Failed to find OPT4048 chip"));
    while (1) {
      delay(10);
    }
  }
  
  Serial.println(F("OPT4048 sensor found!"));

  sensor.setRange(OPT4048_RANGE_AUTO);  // Set range to auto
  sensor.setConversionTime(OPT4048_CONVERSION_TIME_100MS); // Set conversion time to 100ms
  sensor.setMode(OPT4048_MODE_CONTINUOUS);  // Set operating mode to continuous
}

void loop() {
  // Calculate and display CIE chromaticity coordinates and lux
  double CIEx, CIEy, lux;
  if (sensor.getCIE(&CIEx, &CIEy, &lux)) {
    Serial.println(F("\nCIE Coordinates:"));
    Serial.print(F("CIE x: ")); Serial.println(CIEx, 8);
    Serial.print(F("CIE y: ")); Serial.println(CIEy, 8);
    Serial.print(F("Lux: ")); Serial.println(lux, 4);

    // Calculate and display color temperature
    double colorTemp = sensor.calculateColorTemperature(CIEx, CIEy);
    Serial.print(F("Color Temperature: "));
    Serial.print(colorTemp, 2);
    Serial.println(F(" K"));
  } else {
    Serial.println(F("Error reading sensor data"));
  }

  delay(1000); // Read once per second
}

/*!
 * @file test_opt4048.ino
 *
 * A basic demo for using the OPT4048 tristimulus XYZ color sensor
 * 
 * This example reads the sensor values from all four channels (X, Y, Z, W),
 * demonstrates setting and getting threshold values, and displays the results.
 */

#include <Wire.h>
#include "Adafruit_OPT4048.h"

// Create sensor object
Adafruit_OPT4048 sensor;

void setup() {
  // Initialize serial communication
  Serial.begin(115200);
  
  // Wait for serial monitor to open
  while (!Serial) {
    delay(10);
  }

  Serial.println(F("Adafruit OPT4048 Tristimulus XYZ Color Sensor Test"));

  // Initialize the sensor
  if (!sensor.begin()) {
    Serial.println(F("Failed to find OPT4048 chip"));
    while (1) {
      delay(10);
    }
  }
  
  Serial.println(F("OPT4048 sensor found!"));

  sensor.setRange(OPT4048_RANGE_AUTO);  // Set range to auto
  sensor.setConversionTime(OPT4048_CONVERSION_TIME_100MS); // Set conversion time to 100ms
  sensor.setMode(OPT4048_MODE_CONTINUOUS);  // Set operating mode to continuous
}

void loop() {
  // Calculate and display CIE chromaticity coordinates and lux
  double CIEx, CIEy, lux;
  if (sensor.getCIE(&CIEx, &CIEy, &lux)) {
    Serial.println(F("\nCIE Coordinates:"));
    Serial.print(F("CIE x: ")); Serial.println(CIEx, 8);
    Serial.print(F("CIE y: ")); Serial.println(CIEy, 8);
    Serial.print(F("Lux: ")); Serial.println(lux, 4);

    // Calculate and display color temperature
    double colorTemp = sensor.calculateColorTemperature(CIEx, CIEy);
    Serial.print(F("Color Temperature: "));
    Serial.print(colorTemp, 2);
    Serial.println(F(" K"));
  } else {
    Serial.println(F("Error reading sensor data"));
  }

  delay(1000); // Read once per second
}

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