PulseSensor.com Playground
Ready-to-use Arduino code for your PulseSensor. See your first pulse wave, calculate BPM, or make something respond to your heartbeat. 💓
Start here: Install PulseSensor Playground in Arduino Library Manager, open GettingStartedProject, then try PulseSensor_BPM once your waveform is steady.
- Commented examples help you get started and keep experimenting. 🤘
- Switch projects right in the Arduino IDE. 💻
- Share what you make with the community. 🐝
- United States: Buy the PulseSensor kit on Amazon.
- International: Buy from SparkFun or Adafruit.
- Education & Bulk: Request a bulk quote. 50-kit minimum, in increments of 25 kits.
Easy setup: prepare, connect, and get a steady signal
The current kit includes the TPU Stabilizer Ring, Velcro finger strap, ear clip, and transparent vinyl insulation dots. You'll also need a compatible development board, a USB data cable, and a computer.
Before skin contact, apply a transparent vinyl dot to the sensor face and fully insulate the rear electronics using the preparation method supplied with your kit. The ring helps hold the sensor steady; it does not replace insulation. Follow the website's Start Here guide, or contact support if the preparation method is unclear.
For the Arduino Uno GettingStartedProject:
| PulseSensor wire | Arduino Uno connection |
|---|---|
| Purple — signal | A0 |
| Red — power | 5V |
| Black — ground | GND |
Using another board? Follow its example's analog pin and voltage instructions. PulseSensor needs an analog input (ADC); a 5V Uno wiring diagram does not apply to every board.
After preparation, position the sensor with the ring, strap, or ear clip. Rest your hand, keep the cable from pulling, and use light, steady contact. Load the Getting Started example below and look for a repeating waveform before moving on to BPM.
Install the library and see your first pulse wave 🤓
- Install Arduino IDE if you don't already have it.
- Open Tools → Manage Libraries…, search for PulseSensor Playground, and click Install or Update.
- Open File → Examples → PulseSensor Playground → GettingStartedProject.
- Select your board and USB port, then upload the sketch. For other boards, use the matching board-specific example.
- Open Tools → Serial Plotter and select 115200 baud for
GettingStartedProject. - Hold the prepared sensor gently against your fingertip. Give the signal 5–10 seconds to settle; look for a repeating pulse wave and the built-in LED blinking as the signal crosses the threshold.
Ready for BPM? Open PulseSensor_BPM and follow the BPM tutorial.
See your pulse in the browser with Signal Coach
Open Signal Coach for a live waveform and guidance on sensor placement in desktop Chrome or Edge.
Upload the Web Serial example, close Arduino Serial Monitor and Serial Plotter, select 50 samples/s, then click Connect. The website walks you through setup.
Want to run it locally or change the code? See the full source and home-build guide.
Tinker and experiment with popular projects 👩🏽💻👩🏻🔬
See your raw pulse wave in Serial Plotter and blink the built-in LED.
Calculate beats per minute (BPM) once you have a steady raw waveform.
Transform the heartbeat into a live "beep" with a speaker.
Make a servo motor pulse to your live heartbeat.
Use 2 or more Pulse Sensors on one Arduino.
Visualize the pulse waveform and BPM from your Arduino in Processing.
Explore pulse timing differences with two PulseSensors. This is an educational experiment, not a blood-pressure measurement.
Functions, board examples, troubleshooting, and support
- PulseSensor Playground function guide
- All example sketches
- Board-specific examples and library reference
Start with the raw waveform in GettingStartedProject:
- Flat signal? Check power, ground, the analog pin, and the selected board and port.
- Noisy signal? Rest your hand, ease the pressure, reduce strong ambient light, and reseat the prepared sensor in the ring or strap.
- Extra or missed beats? Get a steady waveform first, then adjust the threshold in your example. In
GettingStartedProject, it isThreshold; other examples may useTHRESHOLDorsetThreshold(). - Serial port busy? Close other serial tools before opening Serial Plotter or Signal Coach.
For setup help, email support@pulsesensor.com with your board, example name, wiring photo, and Serial Plotter screenshot. Report reproducible library bugs in PulseSensorPlayground Issues.
For educational and experimental use. PulseSensor is not a medical device.
PulseSensor.com® · World Famous Electronics LLC · MIT License