Single-wire addressable LED driver IC, compatible with the WS2812B interface, in three-output (RGB) and four-output (RGBW) versions. LED Strip Studio controllers support both as a pixel IC type. This page is a quick reference; for how the chip works and how to plan an installation, read What Is SK6812? RGB vs RGBW, Specs and How to Control It.
- Channels – 3 RGB or 4 RGBW
- Protocol – Single-wire
- Operating frequency – 800 kHz
- Practical FPS 300 LEDs – apx. 110 FPS (RGB)
- Backup or redundancy data line – NOT supported
Technical Specifications
| Specification | RGB | RGBW |
|---|---|---|
| Clock type | Data only | Data only |
| Outputs per IC | 3 | 4 |
| Data per pixel | 24 bits | 32 bits |
| Time on the wire per pixel | 30 µs | 40 µs |
| Colour resolution | 8 bits per output | 8 bits per output |
| Data rate | 800 kHz | 800 kHz |
| Bit timing (datasheet) | 0: 0.3 µs high / 0.9 µs low; 1: 0.6 µs high / 0.6 µs low | Same |
| Reset (latch) | ≥ 80 µs, > 200 µs on newer revisions | Same |
| Supply voltage | 5 V; 12 V versions exist | 5 V; 12 V versions exist |
| PWM rate | 1 kHz (SK6812-012) | Depends on revision |
| Typical packages | 5050, 3535, side-emitting 4020 | 5050, 3535 |
| Redundant data line | No | No |
Strip Pads
| Pad | Signal |
|---|---|
| 5V (or 12V) | Supply + |
| DI | Data in, from the controller or the previous pixel |
| DO | Data out, to the next pixel |
| GND | Ground, shared with the controller |
The arrow printed on the strip points from DI to DO. Connect the controller to the end where the arrow starts.
Controller Settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| IC type | SK6812, or SK6812 RGBW for the four-output version |
| Colour order | Not fixed: set it per output after a solid red, green, blue and white test |
| Pixels per output | Up to 1,024 RGB or 768 RGBW on LEC3 and SPI Matrix |
| Data cable to the first pixel | Up to 1 m; longer runs need a symmetrizer and desymmetrizer |
Pixels per Output and Frame Rate
Line rate of one output, calculated from the time on the wire plus an 80 µs reset. The controller’s own frame rate can be lower.
| Pixels per output | RGB | RGBW |
|---|---|---|
| 250 | ~130 fps | ~100 fps |
| 330 | ~100 fps | ~75 fps |
| 512 | ~65 fps | ~49 fps |
| 768 | ~43 fps | ~33 fps (limit) |
| 1,024 | ~33 fps (limit) | over the limit |
Art-Net Universes
| RGB | RGBW | |
|---|---|---|
| Channels per pixel | 3 | 4 |
| Pixels per universe | 170 | 128 |
| Universes for a full output | 7 for 1,024 px (6 for 1,020 px) | 6 for 768 px |
The Art-Net universe calculator works out other pixel counts.
Quick Fixes
| What you see | What to check |
|---|---|
| Red and green swapped, or white on the wrong channel | Colour order |
| Colours scramble along the run, last quarter dark | RGBW strip set as RGB, or the other way round |
| Random flicker | Data cable to the first pixel too long, or a damaged pixel |
| Rest of the run frozen after one pixel | Failed pixel: there is no backup line, replace the segment |
| End of a 5 V run dimmer or tinted | Power: feed the run at more than one point |
SK6812 Pros
- RGBW version adds a white chip, while RGB mixing stays available
- Same interface as WS2812B, so the RGB version often works as a drop-in replacement
- Many packages and colour configurations
SK6812 Cons
- No backup data line: one failed pixel affects the rest of the run
- Mostly 5 V, so power has to be fed at more points than on 12 V strips
- RGBW cuts pixels per output and per universe by a quarter
See also supported LED chips, WS2812 and WS2815.