The Raspberry Pi Pico W combines the powerful RP2040 microcontroller with built-in 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, making it an excellent choice for IoT, robotics, wireless sensors, home automation, and embedded electronics projects.
Based on the original Raspberry Pi Pico design, Pico W maintains the familiar compact form factor and 40-pin layout while adding a CYW43439 wireless chip and onboard antenna.
Powered by a dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor running at up to 133MHz, with 264KB SRAM and 2MB onboard QSPI flash, the Pico W supports popular development environments including MicroPython and C/C++.
Key Features
- Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller
- Dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor
- Clock speed up to 133MHz
- 264KB SRAM
- 2MB onboard QSPI flash
- Built-in 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 5.2 support
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
- CYW43439 wireless controller
- Onboard PCB antenna
- 26 multifunction GPIO pins
- 3 × externally accessible 12-bit ADC inputs
- 2 × UART
- 2 × SPI
- 2 × I2C
- 16 × PWM channels
- 2 × Programmable I/O (PIO) blocks
- USB 1.1 controller
- Micro-USB connector for power, programming, and data
- Drag-and-drop programming
- MicroPython and C/C++ support
- Compact breadboard-friendly design
RP2040 Dual-Core Microcontroller
At the heart of Pico W is Raspberry Pi's own RP2040 microcontroller.
The RP2040 provides:
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CPU: Dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+
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Architecture: 32-bit
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Clock Speed: Up to 133MHz
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SRAM: 264KB
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Flash: 2MB onboard QSPI flash
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Programmable I/O: 2 × PIO blocks
The dual-core architecture provides plenty of processing capability for embedded applications while maintaining low power consumption and a compact footprint.
Built-In Wi-Fi
The onboard Infineon CYW43439 wireless controller provides 2.4GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, allowing Pico W to connect directly to wireless networks without requiring an external Wi-Fi module.
This makes it particularly useful for:
- IoT devices
- Wireless sensors
- Web-controlled projects
- Home automation
- Remote monitoring
- Wireless robotics
- Data logging
- Cloud-connected applications
Bluetooth & BLE
Raspberry Pi Pico W also supports Bluetooth 5.2, including Bluetooth Low Energy functionality.
Bluetooth connectivity enables applications such as:
- Wireless sensor communication
- Smartphone-connected projects
- BLE devices
- Remote controls
- Wireless peripherals
- Short-range device-to-device communication
GPIO & Peripheral Interfaces
Pico W provides 26 multifunction 3.3V GPIO pins, allowing it to interface with a wide range of electronic components.
Available hardware interfaces include:
- 26 × Multifunction GPIO
- 2 × UART
- 2 × SPI
- 2 × I2C
- 3 × External 12-bit ADC Inputs
- 16 × PWM Channels
- 2 × Programmable I/O (PIO) Blocks
These interfaces make Pico W suitable for connecting:
- Sensors
- Displays
- Motor drivers
- Servos
- Relays
- LEDs
- ADC devices
- Communication modules
- Robotics hardware
- IoT peripherals
12-Bit ADC
The RP2040 includes a 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC).
Three ADC channels are available externally through GPIO pins, allowing Pico W to measure analog signals from compatible sensors and circuits.
The RP2040 also includes an internal temperature sensor connected to the ADC system.
Programmable I/O – PIO
One of the most powerful features of the RP2040 is its Programmable I/O (PIO) subsystem.
PIO allows developers to implement custom or specialized digital interfaces without placing the full workload on the main CPU cores.
It can be used for applications such as:
- Custom communication protocols
- LED control
- High-speed digital interfaces
- Signal generation
- Timing-sensitive applications
- Specialized serial communication
USB Connectivity & Programming
Pico W features a Micro-USB connector for power, programming, and USB communication.
The RP2040 includes a USB 1.1 controller with host and device support.
Programming is easy using the UF2 bootloader. When placed into bootloader mode, Pico W appears as a USB mass-storage device, allowing compatible firmware files to be copied directly to the board.
Programming Support
Raspberry Pi Pico W can be programmed using several popular development environments and languages, including:
- MicroPython
- C
- C++
- Raspberry Pi Pico SDK
Its accessible development environment makes it suitable for beginners while still providing powerful low-level hardware features for advanced developers.
Power Specifications
Pico W provides a flexible power architecture suitable for USB-powered and battery-powered projects.
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USB Power: 5V via Micro-USB
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VSYS Input Range: Approximately 1.8V to 5.5V
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GPIO Logic Level: 3.3V
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GPIO Voltage Tolerance: 3.3V maximum
Important 3.3V GPIO Warning
The Raspberry Pi Pico W GPIO pins operate at 3.3V logic levels and are not 5V tolerant.
Do not apply more than 3.3V directly to a GPIO or ADC input.
Connecting a 5V signal directly to a GPIO pin may permanently damage the RP2040 or the board.
When connecting 5V devices, use an appropriate logic-level converter, voltage divider, or interface circuit where required.
Technical Specifications
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Board: Raspberry Pi Pico W
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Microcontroller: Raspberry Pi RP2040
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CPU: Dual-Core Arm Cortex-M0+
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Architecture: 32-bit
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Maximum Clock: 133MHz
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SRAM: 264KB
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Flash Memory: 2MB QSPI
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Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
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Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2 / BLE
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Wireless Controller: CYW43439
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Antenna: Onboard PCB Antenna
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GPIO: 26 Multifunction 3.3V GPIO
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ADC: 12-bit
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External ADC Inputs: 3
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UART: 2
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SPI: 2
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I2C: 2
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PWM: 16 Channels
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PIO: 2 Blocks
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USB: USB 1.1 Host/Device Support
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USB Connector: Micro-USB
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GPIO Logic Voltage: 3.3V
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VSYS Input: Approx. 1.8V to 5.5V
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Board Dimensions: Approx. 51 × 21mm
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Form Factor: Breadboard-Friendly 40-Pin Layout
Compact Breadboard-Friendly Design
Pico W maintains the compact 51 × 21mm form factor of the original Raspberry Pi Pico.
The castellated edge design and standard 2.54mm pin spacing make it suitable for:
- Breadboards
- Pin headers
- Carrier boards
- Custom PCBs
- Embedded product development
Typical Applications
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Wi-Fi sensor nodes
- Bluetooth/BLE projects
- Robotics
- Smart home automation
- Remote monitoring
- Environmental monitoring
- Wireless data logging
- Motor and servo control
- LED controllers
- Educational projects
- STEM learning
- Embedded systems
- Prototyping
- DIY electronics
- Web-controlled devices
Package Includes
Important Note
Pin headers, USB cable, sensors, breadboard, and other accessories are not included.
Always verify the voltage requirements of external sensors and modules before connecting them to the Pico W. The GPIO pins use 3.3V logic and are not 5V tolerant.
