Raspberry Pi Pico Analog Input: Wiring, Code and Simulator

To build this Raspberry Pi Pico Analog Input project you need a Raspberry Pi Pico and a potentiometer. analogio reads a potentiometer on GP26 and converts it to volts. Make the 3 connections in the wiring table, upload the CircuitPython code, and turn the knob and watch the voltage run from 0 to 3.3 V.

Open this circuit in the free Raspberry Pi Pico simulator

Parts list

Qty	Part	What it does
1	Raspberry Pi Pico	the microcontroller board
1	Potentiometer	VCC to 5V, GND to GND, SIG to an analog pin. Drag the knob; analogRead gives 0–1023.

Wiring

#	From	To
1	Raspberry Pi Pico GP26	Potentiometer SIG
2	Raspberry Pi Pico 3V3	Potentiometer VCC
3	Raspberry Pi Pico AGND	Potentiometer GND

Step by step

Open the simulator. Open the BitForBytes Embedded Lab in your browser and start from the Raspberry Pi Pico. No install or account is needed.
Add the parts. Add a potentiometer from the parts palette.
Wire 1. Connect Raspberry Pi Pico GP26 to Potentiometer SIG.
Wire 2. Connect Raspberry Pi Pico 3V3 to Potentiometer VCC.
Wire 3. Connect Raspberry Pi Pico AGND to Potentiometer GND.
Paste the CircuitPython code. Paste the CircuitPython code below into the code editor.
Run it. Press Run. Turn the knob and watch the voltage run from 0 to 3.3 V.

CircuitPython code

# CircuitPython analog input: a potentiometer on GP26, read as 0-65535 and volts.
import board
import analogio
import time

pot = analogio.AnalogIn(board.GP26)

while True:
    volts = pot.value * pot.reference_voltage / 65535
    print("reading:", pot.value, " volts: {:.2f}".format(volts))
    time.sleep(0.25)

What to try

Turn the knob and watch the voltage run from 0 to 3.3 V.

Frequently asked questions

How do I wire the Analog Input project on a Raspberry Pi Pico?

Make 3 connections: Raspberry Pi Pico GP26 to Potentiometer SIG; Raspberry Pi Pico 3V3 to Potentiometer VCC; Raspberry Pi Pico AGND to Potentiometer GND.

What parts do I need for this Raspberry Pi Pico project?

A Raspberry Pi Pico and a potentiometer.

Can I simulate this Raspberry Pi Pico project online for free?

Yes. The BitForBytes Embedded Lab runs this exact circuit and CircuitPython code in your browser for free, with no install and no hardware. The RP2040 is emulated and runs the official firmware.

What does the code do?

analogio reads a potentiometer on GP26 and converts it to volts.