Digispark ATtiny85 USB-C Development Board — Arduino Compatible Microcontroller

Digispark ATtiny85 USB-C Development Board — Arduino Compatible Microcontroller

The Digispark ATtiny85 USB-C is a modern revision of the popular Digispark development board, featuring a standard USB-C connector instead of the traditional USB-A plug. Connect it to your computer using any USB-C data cable — no adapters needed for modern laptops and desktops. It uses the same ATtiny85 microcontroller, the same Micronucleus bootloader, and is programmed the same way through the Arduino IDE.

How It Works

1. Install the Arduino IDE and add the Digistump board support package
2. Install USB drivers (Windows only)
3. Write or open your sketch and click Upload in the Arduino IDE
4. When prompted, connect the Digispark to your computer using a USB-C data cable — the upload begins automatically
5. Your sketch runs after the bootloader completes (approximately 5 seconds after connection)

Important: The Digispark programs differently than other Arduino boards. Click Upload first, then plug in the board when prompted. Do not plug in before clicking Upload. The bootloader only listens for new code for approximately 5 seconds after power-on. Use a data-capable USB-C cable — charge-only cables will not work.

Specifications

• Microcontroller: Microchip ATtiny85
• Architecture: 8-bit AVR
• Clock Speed: 16.5 MHz (internal PLL)
• Flash Memory: 8 KB (~6 KB available after bootloader)
• SRAM: 512 bytes
• EEPROM: 512 bytes
• Digital I/O Pins: 6 (P0–P5)
• PWM Outputs: 3 (P0, P1, P4)
• Analog Input Channels: 4 (P2, P3, P4, P5)
• Operating Voltage: 5V
• Input Voltage (VIN): 7–12V
• USB Interface: USB-C connector (USB 1.1 Low Speed)
• Bootloader: Micronucleus (V-USB based)
• On-Board LED: Yes — connected to P1
• Board Dimensions: Approx. 24 × 18 mm (0.95 × 0.71 inches) L × W

What's in the Box

• 1x Digispark ATtiny85 Development Board (USB-C)

USB-C cable not included. Use any standard USB-C data cable.

What You'll Need

• USB-C data cable — must be a data-capable cable, not charge-only
• Arduino IDE — free download from the Arduino website
• Digistump USB drivers — required for Windows; included with the board support package

Compatible With

• Arduino IDE (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Micronucleus bootloader
• Most Arduino libraries designed for ATtiny85
• I2C and SPI peripherals (via pins P0, P1, P2)

Typical Applications

• USB HID devices — custom keyboards, macro pads, and mouse emulators
• LED controllers and RGB lighting effects
• Sensor data logging (temperature, light, humidity)
• Wearable electronics and compact embedded projects
• Home automation triggers and IoT sensor nodes
• Educational projects and learning Arduino programming
• Rapid prototyping of simple control circuits

Important Notes

• Click Upload in the Arduino IDE first, then plug in the board when prompted. Do not plug in before clicking Upload.
• Use a data-capable USB-C cable, not a charge-only cable. Charge-only cables will not work for programming.
• Windows users must install Digistump USB drivers before first use.
• The ATtiny85 does not have a hardware UART — the standard Arduino Serial Monitor is not available.
• With approximately 6 KB of usable flash memory, keep sketches small and avoid large libraries.
• Pin P5 is the RESET pin. Reconfiguring it as I/O will permanently disable USB programming.
• For best results, use a USB 2.0 port or hub. Some USB 3.0 controllers may have compatibility issues with low-speed USB devices.

Documentation

Full setup instructions, Arduino IDE configuration, driver installation, wiring diagrams, example projects, and troubleshooting guides are available at the Envistia Mall product support website.