BMP280 Barometric Pressure & Temperature Sensor
High-Precision Digital Pressure Sensing with I2C/SPI Interface
The BMP280 measures atmospheric pressure using a MEMS piezo-resistive sensing element - a microscopic membrane that flexes in response to ambient air pressure, with that flex changing the resistance of piezo-resistive elements bonded to it, which the onboard signal-processing circuitry converts into a calibrated digital pressure reading, compensated against factory-stored coefficients unique to each individual chip. What makes barometric pressure useful well beyond weather monitoring is altitude estimation: pressure decreases in a well-understood, predictable way as altitude increases, so by comparing a current reading against a known sea-level reference pressure, the same sensor can estimate relative altitude to within roughly a meter of resolution - precise enough that BMP280s are commonly used for drone altitude hold and hiking altimeters, not just weather stations. It also includes an integrated temperature sensor, both because temperature is needed internally to compensate the pressure reading accurately, and because it's a genuinely useful secondary measurement in its own right.
Key features
High-Precision Pressure Sensing
A MEMS piezo-resistive element with factory calibration for each individual chip.
Altitude Estimation
Derives relative altitude to roughly ±1m resolution from pressure readings.
Integrated Temperature Sensor
Compensates pressure readings internally and reports temperature directly.
I2C and SPI Support
Flexible wiring to match whichever bus your project already uses.
Low Power Consumption
Selectable power modes down to microamp-level standby current.
Tiny Footprint
Small enough for wearables and space-constrained flight controllers.


