Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 Development Board Supports Arduino, MicroPython, and CircuitPython
The Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 Development Board is a compact, powerful, and versatile development board based on the Raspberry Pi RP2040 chip.
As the smallest Raspberry Pi Pico variant, it offers a thumb-sized surface-mount design, making it perfect for space-constrained projects.
This development board supports multiple programming environments, including Arduino, MicroPython, and CircuitPython, providing great flexibility for developers, hobbyists, and educators.
Its compatibility with various programming languages such as C, Python, Go, and Rust, combined with a wide selection of available libraries, makes the XIAO RP2040 an excellent cost-effective choice for beginners and professionals learning coding and electronics basics.
Features:
Perfect Toolkit for Learning Coding and Electronics
XIAO RP2040 provides a comprehensive development ecosystem that makes coding easy for newcomers while also giving powerful tools for expert developers.
Use the Arduino IDE for speedy prototyping, the C/C++ SDK for peak performance, MicroPython/CircuitPython for quick scripting, or Rust and Go for modern applications.
With thorough documentation and an active Raspberry Pi community, you'll find plenty of examples and tools to help you get started on your projects.
The board includes a 3-color User LED and an RGB LED, allowing you to add visual indications or beautiful light effects to improve functionality and creativity.
Classic form factor and extensive Seeed Studio XIAO ecosystem.
XIAO RP2040, released in 2021, features the typical XIAO small shape of 21 x 17.8mm.
Its native compatibility with the extensive XIAO Add-on ecosystem, which includes expansion boards, sensors, and displays as well as connectivity modules and actuators (Grove Expansion, CAN-Bus, LoRa module, LED Matrix, Vision AI Sensor, Round Display, L76K GSP module, 2-Mic Array, ePaper Displays, mmWave sensor, AC relay, Bus Servo Driver, and many others), makes it suitable for any project, no matter how simple or complex.
Production-Ready Design with FREE PCBA Support
All Seeed Studio XIAO development boards include a production-optimized SMD (Surface Mount Device) design with standardized stamp holes, making them ideal for commercial PCBA integration.
Through our Fusion PCBA Sponsorship program, you can not only get the lowest unit prices for all XIAO modules from our Fusion Open Parts Library, but you can also fabricate and scale your XIAO-based PCBA designs at a low cost (30% off) with FREE Design for Manufacturing consulting services, streamlining the process from prototype to production.
Hardware Overview:
Top Board
Bottom Board
Pinout Diagram of XIAO RP2040
Applications:
Learning & Education - Arduino, MicroPython, CircuitPython, TinyGo, Rust, and embedded system fundamentals
USB HID devices - Include custom keyboards, stream decks, arcade controllers, and MIDI interfaces.
Wearable projects - Smart accessories, LED garments, wrist devices, and sensor wearables.
IoT and sensors - Environmental monitoring, smart house panels, weather stations, and MQTT.
Display projects - LED matrices, POV displays, and rotating LED spheres.
Development - Rapid prototyping, hardware testing, and PCB validation.
Robotics - Basic motor control, sensor integration, and automation.
Audio/Video - Sound processing, media controls, and visualizations.
1. How to get started with the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 Development Board?
Connect the XIAO RP2040 Development Board to your computer via USB-C to power and access the device. Install the necessary drivers and select the Seeed Studio board package in your preferred environment. This RP2040 microcontroller supports Arduino, MicroPython, or CircuitPython, giving you flexibility in coding style. Double-press the reset button to enter bootloader mode if the board doesn’t appear.
2. How to program the XIAO RP2040 using Arduino IDE?
Install the Seeed Studio board definitions in the Arduino IDE via the Boards Manager and select the XIAO RP2040 from the board list. Write your sketch in C/C++ and upload it directly over USB—this Arduino-compatible microcontroller runs code on boot. Ensure you choose the correct port and version. This compact microcontroller board is ideal for embedded applications requiring high I/O density in a small footprint.
3. How to use the XIAO RP2040 as a MicroPython development board?
Flash the latest MicroPython firmware for RP2040 onto the XIAO RP2040 Development Board by dragging the UF2 file to the BOOTSEL drive. Use an IDE like Thonny to write and upload Python scripts directly. This MicroPython development board allows rapid prototyping with easy syntax and real-time REPL access. It’s perfect for IoT, sensor logging, or beginner-friendly electronics projects.
4. How to run CircuitPython on the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040?
Download the CircuitPython firmware for the RP2040 microcontroller and copy the UF2 file to the board while in BOOTSEL mode. Once installed, the CircuitPython development board appears as a USB drive—simply edit the code.py file to run your script on startup. This setup simplifies development for embedded and IoT projects with built-in libraries for sensors, displays, and communication peripherals.
1. What is the Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 Development Board used for?
The XIAO RP2040 development board is a powerful yet tiny computer built around the popular Raspberry Pi RP2040 chip. It is a very versatile compact microcontroller board that is perfect for all kinds of projects. You can use it for IoT projects, advanced embedded systems, and other fun small-scale electronics applications.
2. Can I program the XIAO RP2040 with Arduino?
Yes, you can! This powerful Arduino-compatible microcontroller works great with the official Arduino IDE. This allows you to easily write and upload your code, just like any other Arduino board. You can take advantage of the huge library of existing Arduino code and tutorials.
3. Does the XIAO RP2040 support MicroPython and CircuitPython?
Yes, this board is a fantastic MicroPython development board and an equally great CircuitPython development board. This means you have the flexibility to write your code in Python, which is perfect for rapid prototyping. It allows you to get your ideas up and running very quickly.
4. Is the XIAO RP2040 suitable for wearable and portable projects?
Yes, this compact microcontroller board is an excellent choice for any project that needs to be small and efficient. It is extremely lightweight and has a very small footprint, making it ideal for building portable devices. It is a popular choice for wearable IoT projects and other creative builds.
This product comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty from the date of purchase, covering manufacturing defects only.
Warranty Void If:
The product shows signs of physical damage, mishandling, exposure to water/moisture, fire, natural calamities, unauthorized repairs, improper storage near heat or direct sunlight, or alteration in any way.