# Adafruit Simple Soil Moisture Sensor ## Overview ![the breakout with a micro:bit in a plant](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/138/214/medium800/sensors_6362-05.jpg?1751984645 ) Perfect for educational uses, the **Adafruit Simple Soil Moisture Sensor** is low cost and easy to use. This is a simple _resistive_ style moisture sensor, where there are two prongs and the sensor measures the conductivity between the two. We gold-plated the prongs to reduce the risk of oxidation - if you see build-up on the prongs, clean them off with a dish-scrubber to keep the sensor clean. ![front view of the board](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/138/215/medium800/sensors_6362-03.jpg?1751984687 ) While not as advanced as a capacitive or frequency-based sensor, these are really easy to use! We're stocking this sensor for folks who want to use it with a micro:bit or Arduino or other board with an analog input. It won't work with a Raspberry Pi because those don't have analog inputs - [for that use one of our capacitive sensors](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4026). ![back view of the board](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/138/216/medium800/sensors_6362-01.jpg?1751984725 ) Getting started is super easy! - **When using with a micro:bit** you'll need some [small alligator clips](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4100). Connect the GND pad from the 'bit to the GND pad on the sensor. Connect the 3V pad to the 3V pad. Then connect the 0 pad on the 'bit to the OUT pad on the sensor (you can also use 1 or 2 pad on the 'bit). Then, on the micro:bit, read the analog value. When soil is dry, the reading will be under 100. As the soil gets wetter, it will rise to 1000. - **On an Arduino,** connect 3V to the 3V output pin (or 5V if there's no 3V pin) and GND to ground. You can either use [alligator-clips-to-pins](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3255) or a [JST SH to 3-pin cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5755). Then connect the OUT to A0 or another analog input. When you use analogRead() you'll see dry soil at \< 100 and wet soil \> 600. Either way, no soldering is required! **Please note: This is just the sensor. You'll also need alligator clips or a JST-SH cable to connect to it!** - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-simple-soil-moisture-sensor/pinouts.md) ## Primary Products ### Adafruit Soil Sensor Kit - "FarmBeats for Students" Compatible! [Adafruit Soil Sensor Kit - "FarmBeats for Students" Compatible!](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6352) We can’t wait for spring to arrive, and we’re looking forward to caring for some plants! We designed this little **Adafruit Soil Sensor Kit with micro:bit v2**  for students who want to learn how to make their plants grow with help from a little... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6352) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6352/guides) ### Adafruit Simple Soil Moisture Sensor - For micro:bit, and more [Adafruit Simple Soil Moisture Sensor - For micro:bit, and more](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6362) Perfect for educational uses, the  **Adafruit Simple Soil Moisture Sensor** is low cost, and easy to use. This is a simple _resistive_ style moisture sensor, where there's two prongs and the sensor measures the conductivity between the two. We gold-plated the... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/6362) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/6362/guides) ## Guide Products ### JST SH Compatible 1mm Pitch 3 Pin to Premium Male Headers Cable [JST SH Compatible 1mm Pitch 3 Pin to Premium Male Headers Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5755) If you fancy connecting to anything else with a JST SH compatible 3-pin connector, this cable will do the trick. For example, our [NeoPixel JST Breakout boards](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5975), or [UPDI Friend](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5879), or Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5755) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5755/guides) ### Small Alligator Clip to Male Jumper Wire Bundle - 12 Pieces [Small Alligator Clip to Male Jumper Wire Bundle - 12 Pieces](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3255) For bread-boarding with unusual non-header-friendly surfaces, these cables will be your best friends! No longer will you have long strands of alligator clips that are grabbing little wires. These compact jumper cables have a premium male header on one end, and a grippy mini alligator clip on... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3255) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3255/guides) ## Related Guides - [Motorized Grinch Fireplace](https://learn.adafruit.com/grinch-fireplace.md) - [micro:bit Lesson 3. 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