How to Use a Breadboard

This tutorial shows you how to use a solderless breadboard to build an electronic circuit, including the basics of how a breadboard works and some common mistakes that beginners make. You can find the written tutorial at Science Buddies: sbgo.org/how-to-use-a-breadboard
0:00 intro
0:35 why is it called a breadboard?
0:49 types of breadboards
1:14 how does a breadboard work?
1:57 what's inside a breadboard?
2:40 breadboard rows and columns
3:08 power buses (rails)
3:56 which holes are connected?
5:00 simple circuit with LED
6:32 common mistakes
6:50 wrong row
7:20 loose wires
8:03 polarity
8:43 jumper wires
10:17 solid vs stranded wire
11:00 integrated circuits (ICs) and dual in-line packages (DIPs)
If you liked this video, you may also find our multimeter tutorial useful: • How to Use a Multimeter
Are you wondering whether the resistor needs to be before the LED in the circuit? That's the most common question we get about this tutorial! Check out this video for an explanation of why it's OK to have the resistor after the LED: • Does the resistor need...
Do you want to build the example circuit shown in this video? All the circuit parts you need are available on Amazon.com:
- Solderless breadboard: amzn.to/2Mv98hL
- LEDs: amzn.to/2WdswiI
- 47 ohm resistor*: amzn.to/2WhfkcC
- Jumper wire kit: amzn.to/2MoV60P
- 2xAA battery holder: amzn.to/2EUnSAi
- AA batteries
* if you plan to do a lot of electronics projects, a resistor kit with more resistor values is a good investment: amzn.to/2JUS3LX
Disclaimer: Science Buddies participates in an affiliate program with Amazon.com. Proceeds from the affiliate programs help support Science Buddies, a 501(c)(3) public charity, and keep our resources free for everyone.
Science Buddies also hosts a library of instructions for over 1,000 hands-on science projects, lesson plans, and fun activities for K-12 parents, students, and teachers! Visit us at www.sciencebuddies.org to learn more.
#circuits #electronics #breadboard #STEM #sciencebuddies
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Connect with Science Buddies:
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FACEBOOK: / sciencebuddies
INSTAGRAM: / scibuddy

[@drinktillwerefunny]

This is a spectacular contribution to humanity. I nominate this video for best picture at the Oscars.

[@papaarcichella6535]

What was so bad about it?

[@Spencer-xj3pi]

Papa Arcichella he’s saying how good it is?

[@ANGEL-mb9yx]

looke at this mone kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3fLpn-kZbmMfNk

[@MRacer001]

@@Spencer-xj3pi i think he is referring to the large amounts of sarcasm insinuated

[@abod4gamer]

@@MRacer001 well the video was useful for me because i have bought an arduino and breadboard and i had no idea what to do until now

[@MrPanetela]

this presentation proves the 80/20 principle wrong; less than 5% of youtube is actually useful. Here is 12 minutes of pure understandable information that will benefit anybody who watches it.

[@phillipjayford478]

Like what?

[@go2pee]

I literally went through 10+ videos to understand the breadboard and this is hands down the best explanation!

[@Glitch_The_Fox]

I am a Software Engineer (Bachelor Degree and years in the profession) an 2 colleges each never explained how to use a breadboard and just assumed we knew how they worked. Thanks for the basics. I am tired of hardware being a weakness of mine in personal electronic setups.

[@donaldklopper]

Simple, professional, to the point! Thank you for the tutorial.

[@vidu2]

many thanks. Im a 29 year old man now, at childhood , didn't had good income to buy a Arduino kit, i really loved to use a one. recently i brought some uno boards, breadboards and some sensors . i didn't know actually how to use breadboard correctly. this helped to understand it.

[@Ayameex]

I'm trying to learn to do basic electronics on my own and this video was extremely helpful for me. Thank you for making it.

[@nalylulu]

Very clear explanation, best tutorial I've found online :)

[@afikile]

I have to agree with you on that one. Great work Science Buddies

[@md7306]

I agree completely. Great video!

[@bendevanny7315]

Naly Lulu .

[@chfin7251]

Yeah, excellent video.

[@ANGEL-mb9yx]

looke at this mone kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3fLpn-kZbmMfNk

[@danjones9999]

I feel like I’ve just come off a 12 minute phone call

[@pascalfrancis2510]

😂😂😂😂

[@guannanliu6545]

HAHAHAHA Exactly!!🤣🤣🤣

[@SovereignMax]

Funny

[@youssefgamer7443]

The exact same thing 😂😂

[@andyrandy2278]

😂😂😂😂

[@lucienkalmogo3448]

I search around the internet to understand the breadbord in vain, No one have explained it like you. Really thank you well job. you have got a follower

[@davidmadisontheguardian]

It's funny, started out wanting to sell my old massage chair; but had to repair the head rest swivel. Went out and nobody had the parts. Thought to myself, it would be nice to know how to machine those parts. This led to a video where a guy built his own computer assisted wood and aluminum cutting tool. I came across the concept of Arduino after that; but still didn't have a clue about electronics; so I went more basic to this idea of breadboards. I've always wanted to build my own stuff. Or to learn how to repair stuff. I really appreciate not only this video; but the content on your entire channel and the website you put up. I feel it is time for a major change in my life; where I learn to become much more self-reliant. It's 2024; and already many great shifts have occurred. Thanks, and I subscribed just from this one video.

[@davidmadisontheguardian]

I can sense a wide and deep rabbit hole that I'm about to go down. With these basics, I'll eventually be able to learn other things like coding with C, and building machines that make jobs a lot easier and more precise. Napoleon spoke about the potency behind being able to acquire specialized knowledge. We live in a day and age where information is plentiful. Not all is created equal; and so I have been learning the art and science of finding those diamonds in the rough or the gems that sparkle amongst the average. I see this channel as one such high quality source of information. Thank you.

[@mukulbhatta2896]

I watched a lot of videos related to Breadboard. None of them were clear except this one.

[@plekkchand]

Just what the doctor ordered. Lucid and well-illustrated, without irrelevant ramblings and blunders in the final product typical of other such videos.

[@Science.Buddies]

Thank you! If you enjoyed this video you might also find our multimeter tutorial helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqSTdomZbtuLmdU

[@tryhardneckbeard3206]

Cannot express enough how helpful this has been, you're a legend in my book. Thank You Sir.

[@Rockhopper1]

Thank you for a straight to the point and clear explanation, I could not get my head round this at school, thirty years later you given me the courage to once again have ago at electronics,

[@kazama2212]

Watching this just an hour before my electrical laboratory session. Thanks for the great video!

[@ezip8564]

I don’t know how you did it, but you turned something that was hopelessly confusing to me into something I can understand the mechanics of and use in electronics projects.

[@Science.Buddies]

Glad we could help!

[@patchyst7577]

Coming from someone who has a bunch of stuff like this laying around the house with a crappy idea of how it works, I found this video extremely helpful.

[@blackbonestudio6189]

This video got so much input but you presented it very well enough for newbies like me

[@Ratlins9]

This is a comprehensive and well made video. As a newcomer to electronics, this video was well narrated with step by step explanations and instructions on the use of a breadboard. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@Science.Buddies]

Hello everyone! Pinning this comment because it's the most common question we get on this video. It turns out that it does not matter whether the resistor goes before or after the LED in the circuit. This might seem counterintuitive if you think the resistor needs to come first to "resist" or "drop" the voltage. Since the resistor and the LED are in series, their voltage drops add up to equal the voltage of the battery (formally this is known as Kirchoff's Voltage Law). This is true regardless of what order they are placed in. If you'd like to learn more, search for tutorials on "Ohm's law" and "LED current limiting resistor." Hope that helps! Also, we apologize for the poor audio quality in this video! It is several years old and the audio was simply recorded with a cheap webcam and no post-processing. If you check out our more recent videos, hopefully you will find the quality greatly improved. Thank you for all the feedback!

[@GS-re9uy]

It's better than a muddy mix. I've learned so much from your video, it's uncomplicated and you make it look easy thank you! :)

[@grantsomething]

great video thanks buds but no post processing could save this audio haha :)

[@charimuvilla8693]

The voice is indeed a bit awful but after a minute I got used to it it's not a big deal. Thanks for the useful video!

[@Creativity06]

It's fine. Btw thanks for explaining it so nicely.

[@james77011]

hi... when using a 🍞 board, does it matter where u put the first component?

[@cookieuk1278]

Really well explained without making assumptions of prior knowledge. Thanks.

[@fazewhelpley3045]

Was incredibly confused with the default Arduino breadboard, genuinely the best and most hands down informational video I’ve ever seen. Thank you!

[@samfeigenbaum5207]

This is the exact video I needed, thanks for explaining everything so clearly! The common mistakes portion saved me a ton of time

[@dcchillin4687]

im a first year electrical engineering student working remotely, my prof didnt explain these boards the best, so this was a life saver for the labs i have to do, thanks!

[@anhhuynguyen4969]

It's effortless to follow along the video, thank you very much for putting out interesting and easy to understand contents like this man!

[@jenniferoviawe8772]

I like how you are show us it's raw form and not just going into the technical presentation. I also like that you have the history of the bread board. Very impressed! !!!

[@joey1317]

After watching several other videos, now I finally understand! Thank you for explaining this so thoroughly

[@galaxy34470]

This video is like a blessing, I now want to buy a breadboard and electric components so I can finally understand practically how circuts work.

[@alfredfabulous3640]

Exactly my reasoning as well!

[@noneya135]

Very clear and easy to understand. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[@ggwellplayes6311]

I could never find a very informative and direct to the point video other than this one. Great explanation sir

[@shaunbanis2231]

I actually don't deserve watching this without any cost...thanks for this awesome teaching!

[@electronicssimplified2524]

Learn about electronics in this channel. Here is the first video, don't forget to subscribe. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJfXoYeIZZKUgdk

[@lopsidedeyes2964]

1:57 helped me understand breadboards a lot more! Thank you!

[@Science.Buddies]

You're welcome, glad we could help!

[@robj1646]

Simply excellent! Simple and clear, for a beginner like me. Thank you!

[@nark4837]

Thanks so much for this video, I have been doing digitally circuitry recently and struggled to get my head around how certain components that didn't have a wire connecting them actually were connected, I assumed there were metal strips, but obviously I came to these video to actually realise the layout of the metal strips.

[@Mayank-mf7xr]

hookup wires and wire strippers ... physics just got more interesting than ever

[@Mayank-mf7xr]

and jokes aside , you explained it so well . i have seen a couple videos on breadboards but this is actually deep as well as quick . exactly what a tutorial should be like . and moreover , you respond to queries and explain them too . nice job sir .

[@joethewolf3750]

This is honestly gonna save my ass next class. The prof didn't explain breadboards at all but we use them all the time and my lab partner understands them about as well as I did before this video. Thanks for saving at least part of my grade.

[@swolby9230]

I had the exact same issue!

[@JorisDecraecker]

This was a genuine good tutorial and I've learned more here than on 4 websites combined.

[@saurabhkujur6331]

This video I needed immensely to starts my beginner journey in electronic circuit.

[@YourFriendlyGApilot]

great video! no frills, clear explanation, i finally understood breadboards!! thank you

[@ahsimiksnabac6576]

well done chaps, excellent job at getting across a body of basic knowledge concise and in an entertaining way.

[@getsmartpaul]

You guys are GREAT teachers ! I'm a senior trying to introduce electronics to a 2nd and 5th grader and learning myself.

[@Science.Buddies]

Thanks! We have many other tutorials on our channel that you may find helpful, check them out if you haven't already!

[@MallardGryph]

Followed along with a breadboard I've had in my drawer for about a year without ever really getting round to learning to use. Now I have, thanks!!! :D

[@janellelundy4078]

Thank you for making something for beginners! Spoken very well - not too slow or too fast and includes common mistakes. This is a very clear explanation of how it works and what it will do! I am so grateful and my young students (who I cannot solder with) are going to benefit so much! I can't wait to get making with them!

[@dami_wick]

thank you so much. I never thought it would be this simple!

[@jdmxxx38]

Excellent video. Thorough and comfortable paced. After viewing I was totally clear on the use and design of the breadboard. Thanks for the postin.

[@rosssmith2734]

I found this video very helpful. Good job explaining how the internals work and what the center gap is for in particular.

[@zolanmachado539]

Thank you SO much you've made this stuff so much more digestable than anyone else for me so far- seriously appreciate it.

[@djquanta_1311]

i never knew these things would be pretty simple to learn.

[@andyking7621]

great work, perfectly paced and explained

[@aswani3711]

This was the best tutorial i have actually seen, and it's both simple to understand and really informative.

[@mariamhasan3733]

Before watching this video, I was jumping from here to there to understand the connections made in the breadboard. Great explanation!

[@user-mg2gb3tl1g]

Guys you are awesome! You give very clear and easy to understand explanation and answering the question about the resistor's place in the circuit was very helpful! Keep the good work!

[@Science.Buddies]

Thanks!

[@amiri.f]

Very simple and practical video. Thank you

[@Nick-wo3vi]

As tutorial videos go, this is among the highest tier. Thank you

[@soumilyade1057]

Finally.. A video that clarifies each and every question that springs in students' minds while studying bread boards . Thank You :)

[@profirhuma]

amazing, simple, to-the-point, and educational

[@nootankumar3675]

Clean and decisive explanation, wonderful work. Thank you!

[@katiejo911]

One of the best explanatory videos I've found on this subject. Thank you!

[@TN3.1]

Thanks so much. I'm taking Electronics for GCSE and had no idea how a breadboard was used or functioned and this helped a lot.

[@jankishiluman1765]

Very nice explanation

[@mkfs.mumbai]

Made my day...Best explanation I have come across so far

[@kuroosaki]

Finally I understand how to built a circuit!! I'm on Electricity B class . I was struggling on understand about this. Thank you!!!

[@jamestaylor8217]

Excellent. I've used BB for 30+ years but never understood them as well as your explanation. Thank you.

[@Science.Buddies]

Thank you!

[@mightymike1978]

Best breadboard tutorial I've seen here von YT so far! Thank you very much! ;-)

[@TheCetarius]

What an exceptional video! Extremely informative.

[@Science.Buddies]

Thank you for the support!

[@RobMacKendrick]

Very clear and straightforward. Now I have a much better notion of what this thing is and how to use it. Thanks!

[@rareflower88]

Thank you for this very well written and demonstrated tutorial. It was helpful for my son and I!

[@edalchemy]

This was very informative. Answered all my questions

[@HarryM]

What a great tutorial! I really appreciate your content!

[@Wintergatan_2]

To the point helpful, exact right amount of information, thank you!

[@linexustjk6061]

It can't get more clearer than this. Thank you for the upload..

[@dupagnem]

I have been looking for this video. Thank you so much!

[@biida448]

Dude!!! I cannot believe what I was doing wrong was so easy to fix the whole time! Thank you so much! Now I know better.

[@Science.Buddies]

We're glad the video helped, Brandon!

[@vishalsathiaseelan679]

Thank you so much for putting the time & effort to make this video. Extremely helpful for beginners like me.

[@dastanharris]

This is what youtube is actually made for, not meme review. Thank you sir

[@robertbutwell5211]

Excellent tutorial, learned everything I needed. Thank you.

[@agneypremjith6612]

Thanks for helping to do my school project . Loved your video

[@brodywerner2032]

This is the best video I saw that explained breadboards, thanks, hope you guys make more videos like this one

[@KaewSaBa]

Very hard to find a good video with clear explanation like this. Keep it up !!

[@swordlion294]

Really really good explanation, thanks.

[@Awcator]

I completed electronics course in engineering without knowng this. Thanks for this topnotch content 👌

[@dennzpowerlifting9152]

What size resistor

[@peatmoss4415]

@@dennzpowerlifting9152 The video description has it as 47ohm. But you also need to learn Ohm's law to figure these things out.

[@patsjoholm]

Great job! Very easy to follow and complete explanation of a breadboard. Just what I was looking for to explain a breadboard:)

[@nortok00]

This is an excellent video with well thought out and well explained demonstrations for anyone learning electronics. This video also does a great job of showing the inner workings of a breadboard and detailing the options for using different types of wire for various projects.

[@GoldenGunOW]

Excellent for beginners! Thank you so much!

[@mikhailsimon9027]

thanks, I'm new to this as I've just bought a raspberry pi pico w and have no idea how breadboard works...thanks and subscribed

[@catchmeifyoucan2815]

Exactly what I needed to understand the absolute basics. Great video !!!!

[@Not-the-Pope]

Excellent video! Thank you for making everything clear and concise

[@tvs3497]

Cool. Just what I needed for my time machine project.

[@gabrielcheverez8175]

Excellent, well-explain video. Thanks!

[@cri8tor]

Great tutorial. Thank you for taking the time to record and post this video. Cheers

[@moliata]

Thanks! Best tutorial ever! Recommend for everyone with 0,00% of breadboard skills!!!! Worked very great!

[@A0afro]

Thank you so much. It was so easy to follow, something I haven't found in most videos. Was literally wondering what the gap in the center was the whole time. Lol

[@davidstansbury3204]

Ok now I know how to use a breadboard. Thank you for your time and knowledge.

[@yeal_takian]

One of the life saving videos on KZbin... Thanks :)

[@edwinbarreto58]

Finally an expert who can simplify complex topics to beginners like myself! Please write a book as it will surely be a best seller. Thank you very much.

[@Science.Buddies]

Thanks for the great feedback!

[@borisrusev9474]

That was an amazing video, for someone who is just starting out with digital electronics. I wish I had found it sooner! The only thing I would add is an explanation for the resistor, as I see others have asked this question as well.

[@Science.Buddies]

Thanks! Resistors and Ohm's Law are a big enough topic that they sort of need their own separate videos. You may find these two videos helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIaudWyneriCa5o and kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJWsc5-blJ6MlZY

[@chrisgee5893]

From one beginner to another, the resistor in simple terms reduces the flow of electricity to the LED to prevent it being burnt out. Hope that helps.

[@alyaeftekhari32]

best video ever, I was understanding what you said. Thank you

[@goldeng]

Very helpful and informative. Before watching this tutorial these breadboards looked so complicated and intimidating. But now I no longer afraid from the beast. ;) Thanks for sharing!

[@abdullahalmahfuz6700]

Best video for understanding breadboard & it"s application.....