Temperature

Find the temperature where you are. The temperature is measured in Celsius (metric). The micro:bit can find the temperature nearby by checking how hot its computer chips are.

input.temperature();

Returns

  • a number that is the temperature in degrees Celsius.

How does it work?

The micro:bit checks how hot its CPU (main computer chip) is. Because the micro:bit does not usually get very hot, the temperature of the CPU is usually close to the temperature of wherever you are. The micro:bit might warm up a little if you make it work hard, though!

Learn more about how the micro:bit can detect hot or cold in this video:

Example: micro:bit thermometer

The following example uses temperature and show number to show the temperature of the room.

basic.forever(() => {
    let temp = input.temperature()
    basic.showNumber(temp)
})

Example: Fahrenheit thermometer

This program measures the temperature using Fahrenheit degrees. Fahrenheit is a way of measuring temperature that is commonly used in the United States. To make a Celsius temperature into a Fahrenheit one, multiply the Celsius temperature by 1.8 and add 32.

basic.forever(() => {
    let c = input.temperature()
    let f = (1.8 * c) + 32
    basic.showNumber(f)
})

Try comparing the temperature your micro:bit shows to a real thermometer in the same place. You might be able to figure out how much to subtract from the number the micro:bit shows to get the real temperature. Then you can change your program so the micro:bit is a better thermometer.

See also

compass-heading, acceleration