The HMC5883L Magnetometer Module is a high-sensitivity digital compass sensor designed to measure the Earth’s magnetic field along three axes. It enables accurate heading and orientation detection, making it ideal for navigation systems, robotics, drones, and motion-sensing applications. With an I²C digital interface and low power consumption, the HMC5883L is easy to integrate into embedded and IoT projects.
Core Sensor Specifications
• Sensor Type: 3-axis digital magnetometer (electronic compass)
• Sensor IC: HMC5883L
• Measurement Axes: X, Y, Z
• Output Type: Digital magnetic field data
Electrical & Interface
• Operating Voltage: 3.3 V – 5 V (module-level regulated)
• Communication Interface: I²C
• I²C Address: 0x1E
• Interface Pins: VCC, GND, SDA, SCL
• Power Consumption: Low, suitable for battery-powered systems
Performance Characteristics
• High resolution magnetic field measurement
• Stable and repeatable readings
• Fast response suitable for real-time heading calculation
• Built-in signal conditioning and digitization
Physical Characteristics
• Module Type: PCB-mounted magnetometer module
• Sensor Package: LCC package
• Compact and lightweight design
• Easy integration into embedded hardware
Compatibility
• Arduino Uno / Nano / Mega
• ESP8266 / ESP32
• Raspberry Pi
• STM32 and other I²C-enabled microcontrollers
• IMU and navigation systems
Key Advantages
• Accurate 3-axis magnetic sensing
• Simple I²C communication
• Low power operation
• Widely used in navigation applications
Technical Insights
• Requires calibration to remove hard/soft iron errors
• Sensitive to nearby magnetic interference
• Often combined with accelerometers for tilt compensation
• Orientation accuracy depends on sensor placement
Applications
• Digital compasses
• Drone and UAV navigation
• Robotics orientation sensing
• GPS navigation enhancement
• Motion and heading detection systems
Pro Tip
• Perform calibration in final installation environment
• Keep away from motors and high-current traces
• Combine with accelerometer for accurate tilt-compensated heading
• Average multiple samples for smoother output
Package Includes
• 1 × HMC5883L Magnetometer Module