VEML7700 — i2c address & wiring
High-accuracy ambient light sensor with wide dynamic range.
Key facts
VEML7700 at a glance
| i2c address | 0x10 fixed address |
|---|---|
| Logic voltage | 3.3–5 V |
| Type | sensor |
| Part | Vishay VEML7700 |
| Ships with | Qwiic, STEMMA QT |
| Datasheet | Vishay VEML7700 — manufacturer documentation ↗ |
The chip
What the Vishay VEML7700 actually is
High-resolution ambient light sensor measuring illuminance in lux with configurable gain and integration time. Designed for applications requiring accurate light-level measurement across a wide dynamic range, including automatic display brightness control.
Wiring
How to connect the VEML7700
The VEML7700 talks i2c at address 0x10. It runs at 3.3–5 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.
The address is fixed, so two VEML7700s can't share a bus directly — the address-conflict guide covers the workarounds (multiplexer, second bus).
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 VEML7700
VEML7700 breakouts ship with Qwiic and STEMMA QT — 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.
Go deeper
Guides covering the VEML7700
Alternatives
Other light boards
Watch the bus
Boards that clash with the VEML7700
These want an address the VEML7700 also answers (0x10), 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
VEML7700 i2c FAQ
What is the VEML7700's i2c address?
The VEML7700 sits at a fixed address of 0x10. It can't be changed, so two of them can't share one bus without a multiplexer or a second bus.
What voltage does the VEML7700 run at?
3.3–5 V logic. That range covers both 3.3 V and 5 V hosts, so it drops onto a Pi, ESP32 or Arduino without a level shifter.
Can I use two VEML7700s on one i2c bus?
Not directly — every VEML7700 answers to 0x10, so two on one bus would collide. Use a TCA9548A multiplexer to give each its own channel, or put the second one on a separate bus.
Does the VEML7700 work with Qwiic and STEMMA QT?
Yes — VEML7700 breakouts ship with Qwiic / STEMMA QT, so it plugs straight in with no soldering. Mixing ecosystems? The compatibility checker gives you the exact cable or adapter.