# Micro:bit with Arduino ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/046/740/medium800/microcomputers_duno.jpg?1506532259) Did you know that the Arduino IDE can be used to program the micro:bit? Now you have yet another way to use this cool board! Learn how to set up Arduino to program your micro:bit, blink some LEDs, read the internal temperature sensor, send and receive data over Bluetooth - even log data to Adafruit.IO! The micro:bit is a small nRF51-powered learning platform for kids - you can use it with Microsoft [MakeCode](https://makecode.com/) (drag-n-drop block programming or Javascript), [micropython](http://microbit-micropython.readthedocs.io/en/latest/), or mbed. But we really like using the Arduino IDE, especially since there's thousands of existing projects you can use and adapt. Also, you get to have much more advanced projects since you won't run out of memory (as you would with micropython) and you can write just about any code you want (with MakeCode you are more constrained to what has already been provided for you, a trade-off for ease-of-use). Pick up a microbit and follow along on how you can do some pretty advanced things with your 'bit! - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/use-micro-bit-with-arduino/install-board-and-blink.md) ## Featured Products ### BBC micro:bit [BBC micro:bit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3530) The British Invasion is here! No, not music...microcontrollers! New to the USA is the newest and _easiest_ way to learn programming and electronics - the **BBC micro:bit**. Designed specifically for kids and beginners, the  **micro:bit**  is a... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3530) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3530/guides) ### BBC micro:bit Go Bundle [BBC micro:bit Go Bundle](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3362) Discontinued - [**you can grab** micro:bit v2 Go Bundle - Batteries and USB Cable Included **instead! **](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4834) The British Invasion is here! No, not music...microcontrollers! New to the USA is the newest and _easiest_ way to... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3362) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3362/guides) ## Related Guides - [Arduino Lesson 14. Servo Motors](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-arduino-lesson-14-servo-motors.md) - [Programmable 12v Outdoor Cafe Lights](https://learn.adafruit.com/programmable-12v-outdoor-cafe-lights.md) - [Arduino Lesson 9. Sensing Light](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-arduino-lesson-9-sensing-light.md) - [Arduino Lesson 1. Blink](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-arduino-lesson-1-blink.md) - [Character LCDs](https://learn.adafruit.com/character-lcds.md) - [Arduino Lesson 6. Digital Inputs](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-arduino-lesson-6-digital-inputs.md) - [Ladyada's Learn Arduino - Lesson #0](https://learn.adafruit.com/ladyadas-learn-arduino-lesson-number-0.md) - [Adding Custom Boards to the Arduino v1.6.3 Board Manager](https://learn.adafruit.com/adding-custom-boards-to-the-arduino-v1-6-board-manager.md) - [Arduino Lesson 17. Email Sending Movement Detector](https://learn.adafruit.com/arduino-lesson-17-email-sending-movement-detector.md) - [Ladyada's Learn Arduino - Lesson #2](https://learn.adafruit.com/ladyadas-learn-arduino-lesson-number-2.md) - [Adafruit Bonsai Buckaroo](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-bonsai-buckaroo.md) - [micro:bit Crickit Robot](https://learn.adafruit.com/microbit-crickit-robot.md) - [Program RP2040 in Arduino](https://learn.adafruit.com/rp2040-arduino-with-the-earlephilhower-core.md) - [Arduino Lesson 0. Getting Started](https://learn.adafruit.com/lesson-0-getting-started.md) - [Experimenter's Guide for Metro](https://learn.adafruit.com/experimenters-guide-for-metro.md)