SENSORS/ACTUATORS

Arduino Nano 33 IoT - Keypad 3x4

This guide shows you how to use the Arduino Nano 33 IoT with a 3x4 keypad. In this lesson, you will learn:

How to use a 3x4 keypad with Arduino Nano 33 IoT
How to use a password entered on the keypad

Hardware Preparation

1	×	Arduino Nano 33 IoT
1	×	Micro USB Cable
1	×	Keypad 3x4
1	×	Breadboard
1	×	Jumper Wires
1	×	Recommended: Screw Terminal Expansion Board for Arduino Nano
1	×	Recommended: Breakout Expansion Board for Arduino Nano
1	×	Recommended: Power Splitter for Arduino Nano

Or you can buy the following sensor kits:

1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays)
1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)

Disclosure: Some of the links provided in this section are Amazon affiliate links. We may receive a commission for any purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Additionally, some of these links are for products from our own brand, DIYables .

Overview of Keypad 3x4

A 3x4 keypad is a compact input device with 12 buttons arranged in a 3-row by 4-column grid. It typically includes numbers (0-9) and additional keys like * and #. Commonly used in embedded systems, security access panels, and microcontroller projects, it operates by detecting key presses through a matrix scanning technique.

3x4 Keypad Pinout

The 3x4 keypad has 7 pins in total, they are split into two groups: rows and columns:

Four pins for the rows: R1, R2, R3, R4.
Three pins for the columns: C1, C2, C3.

How Keypad Works

Check out how the keypad works here: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-keypad#content_about_keypad

Wiring Diagram between 3x4 Keypad and Arduino Nano 33 IoT

The wiring diagram between Arduino Nano and 33 IoT Keypad

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

Arduino Nano 33 IoT - Keypad 3x4 Code

Detailed Instructions

If you are new to the Arduino Nano 33 IoT, be sure to check out our Getting Started with Arduino Nano 33 IoT tutorial. Then, follow these steps:

Connect the components to the Arduino Nano 33 IoT board as depicted in the diagram.
Use a USB cable to connect the Arduino Nano 33 IoT board to your computer.
Launch the Arduino IDE on your computer.
Select the Arduino Nano 33 IoT board and choose its corresponding COM port.
Click the Library Manager icon on the left side of the Arduino IDE.
In the search box, type DIYables_Keypad and find the keypad library from DIYables.io.
Click the Install button to add the keypad library.

Copy the code above and paste it into the Arduino IDE.
Click the Upload button on the Arduino IDE to build and send the code to your Arduino Nano 33 IoT board.
Open the Serial Monitor in the Arduino IDE.

How to open serial monitor on Arduino IDE

Push some buttons on the keypad.
Look at the result in the Serial Monitor.

COM6

Send

1 2 3 4 * #

Autoscroll Show timestamp

Clear output

9600 baud

Newline

Keypad and Password

A keypad is commonly used to verify someone's identity using a password. In this tutorial, a valid password is already set in the code. When a user enters the password on the keypad, it is checked against the pre-set password:

If it matches, you are allowed access.
If it doesn't match, you are not allowed access.

To use a password on the keypad, we choose two special keys.

A key that begins entering the password. For example, the "*" key.
A key that finishes entering the password. For example, the "#" key.

The password that a user enters will be saved in a text variable called the inputted password string. When a key is pressed:

If the key you press is "*", remove everything you typed for the password to start over.
If the key you press is not "*" or "#", add that key to the password you are typing.
If the key you press is "#", compare the password you typed with the set password.

Keypad - Password Code

/* * This Arduino Nano 33 IoT code was developed by newbiely.com * * This Arduino Nano 33 IoT code is made available for public use without any restriction * * For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: * https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-nano-iot/arduino-nano-33-iot-keypad-3x4 */ #include <DIYables_Keypad.h> #define ROW_NUM 4 // four rows #define COLUMN_NUM 3 // three columns char key_layout[ROW_NUM][COLUMN_NUM] = { {'1', '2', '3'}, {'4', '5', '6'}, {'7', '8', '9'}, {'*', '0', '#'} }; const byte pin_rows[ROW_NUM] = {9, 8, 7, 6}; // The Arduino Nano 33 IoT pin connected to the row pins of the keypad const byte pin_column[COLUMN_NUM] = {5, 4, 3}; // The Arduino Nano 33 IoT pin connected to the column pins of the keypad DIYables_Keypad keypad = DIYables_Keypad( makeKeymap(key_layout), pin_rows, pin_column, ROW_NUM, COLUMN_NUM ); const String password = "7890"; // change your password here String input_password; void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); input_password.reserve(32); // maximum input characters is 33, change if needed } void loop() { char key = keypad.getKey(); if (key) { Serial.println(key); if (key == '*') { input_password = ""; // clear input password } else if (key == '#') { if (password == input_password) { Serial.println("The password is correct, ACCESS GRANTED!"); // DO YOUR WORK HERE } else { Serial.println("The password is incorrect, ACCESS DENIED!"); } input_password = ""; // clear input password } else { input_password += key; // append new character to input password string } } }

Run the code shown above.
Open the Serial Monitor in the Arduino IDE.

Press the keys "123456" and then press the "#" key.
Press the keys "7890" and then press the "#" key.
Look at the result on the Serial Monitor. It should look like this:

COM6

Send

The password is incorrect, ACCESS DENIED! The password is correct, ACCESS GRANTED!

Autoscroll Show timestamp

Clear output

9600 baud

Newline

Video Tutorial

Additional Knowledge

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