Create Colors with an RGB LED

Understand the target result

Mix red, green, and blue channels with PWM to create custom colors. The expected result is: The RGB LED produces several programmed colors.

Prepare the board and parts

Disconnect the ESP32 from USB. Put the ESP32, breadboard, jumper wires, and the listed lesson parts in front of you. Straighten bent pins gently and never force a module into the breadboard.

Make each connection with power off

1. Red channel → 220Ω resistor → GPIO 25.
2. Green channel → 220Ω resistor → GPIO 26.
3. Blue channel → 220Ω resistor → GPIO 27.
4. Connect the common cathode to GND. If your LED is common-anode, connect it to 3.3V and invert PWM values.

Install any library and upload the code

No additional Arduino library is required for this starter sketch. Select your ESP32 board and serial port before clicking Upload.

const int R = 25, G = 26, B = 27;

void setColor(int red, int green, int blue) {
  ledcWrite(R, red); ledcWrite(G, green); ledcWrite(B, blue);
}

void setup() {
  ledcAttach(R, 5000, 8); ledcAttach(G, 5000, 8); ledcAttach(B, 5000, 8);
}

void loop() {
  setColor(255, 0, 0); delay(1000);
  setColor(0, 255, 0); delay(1000);
  setColor(0, 0, 255); delay(1000);
  setColor(255, 80, 0); delay(1000);
}

Power the circuit and observe

Connect USB power only after the wiring check. Open Serial Monitor at 115200 baud when the sketch prints data. Watch the circuit for at least 20 seconds and compare it with this expected behavior: The RGB LED produces several programmed colors.

Change one value and test again

Make one small change—such as a delay, threshold, brightness, or displayed message—then upload again. This confirms that you understand which part of the program controls the result.