See Heat in High Resolution — MLX90640 IR Thermal Camera (55°)

The Adafruit MLX90640 IR Thermal Camera Breakout (55° FOV) is a 32×24 pixel thermal imaging sensor that reads surface temperatures from -40°C to 300°C — all over a simple I2C connection. It's the most affordable way to add real thermal imaging to your project, producing heat maps that reveal temperature patterns invisible to the naked eye.

Unlike single-point IR thermometers, the MLX90640 captures an entire 768-pixel thermal image per frame, letting you see hot spots, cold leaks, body heat, and temperature gradients across a scene. The 55° field of view covers a wide area — ideal for room-scale monitoring and people detection.

Why you'll love it

• 768-pixel thermal image: 32×24 resolution — real thermal imaging, not just a single point
• -40°C to 300°C range: Covers everything from freezers to hot machinery
• Simple I2C interface: Works with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and more
• STEMMA QT / Qwiic: Solderless plug-and-play connection
• No mechanical parts: Solid-state sensor with no shutter or moving components

Thermal camera comparison

What you can build

Home thermal leak detectors, people-counting systems, non-contact fever screening stations, HVAC diagnostics tools, wildlife thermal cameras, industrial hot-spot monitors, fire detection systems, and smart occupancy sensors.

Technical specifications

Frequently Asked Questions