4-to-1 multiplexer: build and simulate it online
Two select lines choose which of four inputs reaches Y.
Build the 4-to-1 multiplexer in the free online simulator — it checks your circuit automatically.
What you need
- 6 logic switches labelled D0, D1, D2, D3, S1, S0
- 1 probes labelled Y
- a multiplexer (block or gates)
Step by step
- Inputs and output. From the Logic section of the library, drop digital inputs (0/1 boxes) or logic switches for the inputs, and digital outputs or probes for the outputs; give each its label in the inspector (the checker finds them by label). Switches D0, D1, D2, D3, S1, S0; Probe Y
- The multiplexer. Use the Multiplexer block (select lines = 2) — or build it from AND/OR/NOT gates for the challenge. D0–D3 → the data inputs, S0/S1 → select
- Prove it. The checker tries all 64 combinations: Y must always equal the selected D. S1 S0 = 10 → Y = D2
Truth table
| S1 | S0 | D3 | D2 | D1 | D0 | Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
How do you build a 4-to-1 multiplexer?
Two select lines choose which of four inputs reaches Y. In short: inputs and output, then the multiplexer, then prove it.
What is the truth table of a 4-to-1 multiplexer?
It has 6 inputs (S1, S0, D3, D2, D1, D0) and 1 output (Y), so 64 rows. The full table is on this page; the Embedded Lab checks all of them against your circuit.
What parts do you need for a 4-to-1 multiplexer?
a multiplexer (block or gates) — plus logic switches for the inputs and probes for the outputs.
Can I simulate a 4-to-1 multiplexer online for free?
Yes. Open it in the BitForBytes Embedded Lab, a free browser-based circuit and logic simulator: drag in the gates, wire them, and press "Check my circuit" — every input combination is simulated and marked for you. No download or sign-up needed.
Part of DSD 21 · Multiplexers in the free BitForBytes digital system design course.