ESP32 PIR Sensor Simulator: Wiring, Code and a Live Circuit
This is an HC-SR501 PIR motion sensor wired to an ESP32 DevKit, running live: the serial monitor says when motion starts and when it ends. In the editor, press the sensor to walk past it.
Three wires: VCC to VIN (5 V from USB), GND, and OUT to GPIO 4 (D4). No library is needed.
- 3.3 V logic
- No library
- OUT on GPIO 4 (D4)
- Powered from 5 V, 3.3 V output
Wiring the PIR Sensor to the ESP32
Every connection in the circuit above, with the board’s own pin names.
| PIR Sensor pin | ESP32 pin | Why |
|---|---|---|
| VCC | VIN (5 V from USB) | The HC-SR501 takes 4.5 to 20 V and regulates it down to 3.3 V on board. |
| OUT | GPIO 4 (D4) | A 3.3 V high while it sees motion, then low. |
| GND | GND | Common ground. |
The module needs VIN (5 V from USB) for power, but its output is 3.3 V, so OUT connects straight to the ESP32 with no divider. That makes the PIR one of the few 5 V modules that is a perfect match for a 3.3 V board.
Pins to leave alone on the ESP32
GPIO 34, 35, 36 (VP) and 39 (VN) are input only: they cannot drive a pin or take an internal pull-up. GPIO 0, 2, 5, 12 and 15 are strapping pins, read at power-on, and GPIO 6 to 11 are the flash chip.
On a real bench
The thirty-pin DevKit straddles a breadboard with one row of holes free on each side, which is where the PIR Sensor’s jumpers go. Many ESP32 boards are wider and cover both rows; then use two breadboards side by side. Hold BOOT while uploading if the IDE cannot connect.
The code
The sketch the circuit above runs. Open it in the editor, change a line and press Run: it compiles in your browser.
const int PIR_PIN = 4; // OUT, GPIO 4 (D4)
int lastState = LOW;
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
pinMode(PIR_PIN, INPUT);
Serial.println("Watching for motion");
}
void loop() {
int state = digitalRead(PIR_PIN);
if (state != lastState) {
lastState = state;
Serial.println(state == HIGH ? "Motion detected" : "Motion ended");
}
delay(50);
}
The PIR module does all the sensing itself; the board only reads one digital pin. OUT goes high when the infrared pattern in front of the lens changes, which is what a warm body moving does, and stays high for the hold time.
The sketch prints only changes, not every reading, by remembering the last state. That is the pattern for any sensor that holds a level: act on the edge, not the level.
Serial.begin(115200) opens the serial monitor. Serial is UART0 on the USB bridge. ESP32 sketches usually run it at 115200 baud, which this one does.
Common mistakes with the PIR Sensor on the ESP32
Not waiting for it to settle
A real HC-SR501 needs up to a minute after power-up to learn the room, and gives false triggers until then. Ignore it for the first 30 to 60 seconds.
The hold time knob
The orange trimmer next to the sensitivity one sets how long OUT stays high, from about 3 seconds to several minutes. A sensor that seems stuck on is usually turned all the way up. The simulated part has a hold property for the same thing.
Powering it from 3V3
Its regulator wants 4.5 V or more; at 3.3 V it triggers at random or not at all. Power from VIN (5 V from USB); the output is already 3.3 V.
Questions and answers
Can I simulate a PIR sensor with an ESP32 DevKit?
Yes. The circuit at the top of this page is an ESP32 DevKit with a HC-SR501 PIR sensor, running in your browser on a simulated ESP32 (Xtensa LX6). Press the sensor on the drawing for motion; its hold and block times behave like the module’s. Press Run it in the editor to change the wiring or the code; it is free and needs no account.
Is the PIR output safe for the ESP32?
Yes. The HC-SR501 is powered from 5 V but its output pin swings 0 to 3.3 V, exactly the board’s level.
What do the jumper positions H and L do?
H is repeat trigger: OUT stays high as long as motion keeps happening. L is single trigger: OUT goes low after the hold time even if motion continues, then can fire again. The part’s retrigger property chooses between them.
Can I use an interrupt for the PIR?
Yes, OUT is a clean digital edge with no bounce, so attachInterrupt() on RISING works well. Polling every 50 ms as here is just as good for a person walking past.
Build your own PIR Sensor project
Open this circuit in the editor, change the wiring or the code, and keep your version in a free account.