5mm Super Bright - RGB - Common Cathode

5mm Super Bright - RGB - Common Cathode

In stock

SKU
5MMLEDRGBCOMMONCATHODE
Color
Red/Green/Blue (RGB)
Size
5mm Round Top Clear
$0.35

Description / 5mm Super Bright - RGB - Common Cathode

The 5mm Red/Green/Blue (RGB) LED (Round Top, Clear) is the standard through-hole LED for Arduino/microcontroller RGB projects — mix any color with PWM control on three independent channels (red, green, blue). Clear lens with a focused 20-30 Degrees beam — bright and directional, the classic DIP LED that fits every breadboard, panel bezel, and holder on the market.

The 5mm (T-1¾) is the most popular LED size in the world — the standard for breadboard prototyping, hobby projects, panel indicators, and every electronics starter kit. Fits all 5mm holders and bezels.

Common Cathode — the shared pin connects to ground (−). Three independent color channels.

Size5mm (T-1 3/4)
Forward VoltageR(1.8-3.5) B(3.0-3.5) G(3.0-3.5)
Brightness5,000-8,000mcd
Viewing Angle20-30 Degrees
LensClear — focused beam
PackageT-1 3/4 through-hole DIP
Drive Current20mA typical

Common applications

  • Arduino and microcontroller projects: The entry-point RGB LED for learning PWM color mixing. Drive each channel independently to create any color — official Arduino starter kits include this exact component.
  • RGB LED cube projects: The classic "LED cube" build (4×4×4, 8×8×8) uses through-hole RGB LEDs for a 3D color display. Bulk purchase for cube builds.
  • LED throwies and art: Tape to a coin cell + magnet for instant color-changing guerrilla art.
  • Cosplay prop effects: Color-cycling weapon/armor accents, mood-responsive costume elements.
  • Scale model accent lighting: Programmable signals, animated displays, color-coded status indicators.

Standard T-1 3/4 through-hole footprint. Fits all 5mm LED holders, bezels, and panel-mount clips. Add a current-limiting resistor matched to your supply voltage — see our LED Resistor Calculator for the exact value.

Need a wider beam? See our 5mm Diffused Round Top LEDs (soft glow, no hotspot) or 5mm Straw Hat LEDs (120–140° wide angle).

Resistor quick reference (20mA):
SupplyResistorRating
5V100Ω1/4W
9V300Ω1/4W
12V470Ω1/4W
15V*620Ω1/2W
18V750Ω1/2W

*Use 15V instead of 12V for vehicle/alternator sources to account for charging voltage (13.8–14.4V).

Full LED Resistor Calculator → for other voltages, series strings, and parallel configurations. Or skip the math with our 20mA Current Limiter (2–45V DC).

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Standard LEDs require a current-limiting resistor matched to your power supply voltage. Use our LED Resistor Calculator at /blog/led-resistor-calculator.html to find the exact value.
Clear lens LEDs produce a focused, directional beam (15-30 degrees) — bright when viewed head-on. Diffused lens LEDs scatter light evenly for a soft glow visible from all angles. Use clear for signals and indicators; use diffused for ambient lighting and props where the LED is visible.
Yes. Connect through a current-limiting resistor (typically 220-330 ohm for 5V) to any digital output pin. The LED Resistor Calculator can help you find the exact value for your setup.

DC power recommended: LEDs are designed for DC. Running on AC will cause flickering and reduce lifespan. If you're using a low-voltage AC source — such as a model railroad transformer output or DCC track voltage — convert it to DC first with a bridge rectifier.

Also available: 3mm (smaller)

Sold individually (1 LED per quantity ordered).

PCB Design: KiCad footprint: LED_THT:LED_D5.0mm (built-in with KiCad). EasyEDA: search “LED_D5.0mm” in the built-in library. Download KiCad files ↓

Specifications are sourced from manufacturer data and may be updated without notice. While we work to keep product information accurate, always verify critical parameters against the manufacturer's datasheet for production designs. Found an error or discrepancy? Let us know — we genuinely appreciate the correction.

More Information

Size 5mm Round Top Clear
Color Red/Green/Blue (RGB)
Luminosity/Brightness 5,000-8,000 mcd
Forward Voltage R(1.8-3.5) B(3.0-3.5) G(3.0-3.5)
Current 20mA
Wavelength N/A RGB Common Cathode
Viewing Angle 20-30 Degrees
Mount Style Through Hole (DIP)
Lens Color Clear
LED Brightness Class Super/Ultra/Extreme
Documentation Link N/A

Customer Images

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