ADXL345 — i2c address & wiring
13-bit triple-axis accelerometer, ±2g to ±16g, low power.
Key facts
ADXL345 at a glance
| i2c address | 0x1D0x53 address-selectable via pins/jumpers |
|---|---|
| Logic voltage | 2–3.6 V |
| Type | sensor |
| Part | Analog Devices ADXL345 |
| Ships with | Grove |
| Datasheet | Analog Devices ADXL345 — manufacturer documentation ↗ |
The chip
What the Analog Devices ADXL345 actually is
Three-axis digital MEMS accelerometer supporting measurement ranges up to ±16 g with programmable data rates, motion detection, tap detection, free-fall detection and activity monitoring.
Watch out: Counterfeits are common on marketplace listings. A genuine ADXL345 always reports DEVID 0xE5 at register 0x00 — if the device ID reads anything else, or readings are noisy and drift, you likely have a clone. Verify the ID before building around it.
Wiring
How to connect the ADXL345
The ADXL345 talks i2c at address 0x1D (up to 2 selectable addresses, handy when you need more than one on the same bus). It runs at 2–3.6 V, so match your host's logic level — if your host is 5 V and a board on the bus is 3.3 V-only, add a level shifter. Use the compatibility checker to confirm the exact cable for your setup.
Because the address is selectable, you can run several ADXL345 boards on one bus by setting each to a different address — no extra wiring beyond the shared SDA/SCL.
Wiring is the usual four: power, ground, SDA and SCL, plus pull-up resistors — almost always already fitted on the breakout. Nothing showing up? Run an i2c scan first; if the bus is silent, the 7-step checklist finds it faster than guessing.
Ecosystems
Plug-together options for the ADXL345
ADXL345 breakouts ship with Grove — keyed 4-pin cables carrying power, ground, SDA and SCL, so there's nothing to solder and nothing to wire backwards. Chain it to the next board and keep going.
Running a mixed bench? Those ecosystems interoperate more than their marketing suggests — see every connector pairing for the cable or adapter you need, or the standards overview for how they compare.
Alternatives
Other motion boards
Watch the bus
Boards that clash with the ADXL345
These want addresses the ADXL345 also answers (0x1D, 0x53), so they can't share a bus with it untouched. If one is address-selectable, strap it elsewhere; if not, the conflict guide covers the multiplexer and second-bus routes, and the collision roundup explains why a scan won't warn you.
Get one
Questions
ADXL345 i2c FAQ
What is the ADXL345's i2c address?
The ADXL345 uses 0x1D or 0x53, selected with an address pin or solder jumper on the board. If a scan turns up something unexpected, our i2c address list names the usual suspect for every address.
What voltage does the ADXL345 run at?
2–3.6 V logic. It's 2 V-only — driving it straight from a 5 V Arduino risks damage, so level-shift first.
Can I use two ADXL345s on one i2c bus?
Yes — set each one to a different address (0x1D, 0x53) using its address pin or jumper, then wire both to the same SDA/SCL. That gives you up to 2 on a single bus before you need a multiplexer.
Does the ADXL345 work with Grove?
Yes — ADXL345 breakouts ship with Grove, so it plugs straight in with no soldering. Mixing ecosystems? The compatibility checker gives you the exact cable or adapter.
What should I watch out for with the ADXL345?
Counterfeits are common on marketplace listings. A genuine ADXL345 always reports DEVID 0xE5 at register 0x00 — if the device ID reads anything else, or readings are noisy and drift, you likely have a clone. Verify the ID before building around it.