TMP36 Sensor Pinout

The TMP36 is a low-voltage analog temperature sensor by Analog Devices, designed for use in electronics, embedded systems, and microcontroller-based projects. It measures temperature by outputting an analog voltage that scales linearly with degrees Celsius — no external calibration, no complex interface, just a voltage your ADC can read directly.

Its wide supply range of 2.7V to 5.5V, sub-50µA current draw, and built-in 500mV offset — which allows it to measure temperatures below freezing without requiring a negative supply rail — make it a practical choice for battery-powered devices, automotive applications, and CPU thermal monitoring.

What is TMP36?

The TMP36 is a low voltage, precision centigrade temperature sensor that provides a voltage output linearly proportional to Celsius temperature, requiring no external calibration to deliver typical accuracies of ±1°C at +25°C and ±2°C over the −40°C to +125°C range.

The key distinction from its close relative the LM35 is the built-in 0.5V offset on the output. Rather than outputting 0V at 0°C, the TMP36 outputs 750mV at 25°C, and to convert the voltage to temperature you use the formula: Temperature = (Voltage in mV − 500) / 10. That offset is what enables sub-zero measurement without a negative supply — the output simply swings down toward 100mV at −40°C instead of going negative.

TMP36 overview

Parameter	Value
Sensor Type	Analog Temperature Sensor
Operating Voltage	2.7V – 5.5V
Current Consumption	<50µA
Temperature Range	−40°C to +125°C (operates to +150°C)
Output Type	Analog
Sensitivity	10mV/°C
Accuracy	±1°C (at 25°C), ±2°C (over full range)
Output at 25°C	750mV
Offset Voltage	500mV
Communication	Analog Voltage Output
Mounting Type	Through Hole / SMD
Compatible Boards	Arduino Uno, ESP32, Raspberry Pi

Pinout

Pin Name	Type	Description
+VS	Power	Supplies power to the sensor (2.7V – 5.5V)
VOUT	Output	Outputs analog voltage proportional to temperature
GND	Power	Ground connection

Note: Pin orientation matters — with the flat face (printed side) of the TO-92 package facing you, +VS is on the left, VOUT is in the middle, and GND is on the right. This is the reverse of the LM35, so do not swap them directly without checking.

Working principle

The TMP36 converts temperature into a proportional analog voltage using internal transistor characteristics, then amplifies and offsets the result to produce a clean, readable output across its full operating range.

The transfer function is straightforward:

Output Voltage = (Temperature °C × 10mV) + 500mV

Some reference points:

Temperature	Output Voltage
−40°C	100mV
0°C	500mV
25°C	750mV
100°C	1500mV
125°C	1750mV

To recover temperature from a measured voltage, the formula inverts:

Temperature (°C) = (VOUT in mV − 500) / 10

The low output impedance and linear output simplify direct interfacing with temperature control circuitry and ADCs. A decoupling capacitor of 0.1µF placed close to the supply pin is recommended to reduce noise, particularly in environments with high-frequency interference.

Construction of the TMP36

The TMP36 operates as a bandgap core comprising three BJTs biased at microampere current levels. Behind that compact TO-92 package are several key elements working together.

1. Bandgap Temperature Sensor Core Three bipolar junction transistors biased at precise microampere levels. The base-emitter voltage differential across these transistors changes predictably with temperature, forming the raw sensing signal.

2. Differential Amplifier Amplifies the small BJT signal and scales it to the 10mV/°C output characteristic, ensuring linearity across the full −40°C to +125°C range.

3. 500mV Offset Circuit Adds a fixed 500mV to the output, shifting the transfer function so that 0°C maps to 500mV rather than 0V. This is what allows sub-zero measurement from a single positive supply without the output going negative.

4. Voltage Reference An internal precision reference that anchors the offset and gain, eliminating the need for external calibration components.

5. Output Buffer Drives the VOUT pin with low output impedance, allowing direct connection to a microcontroller ADC or capacitive loads up to 10,000pF without oscillation.

Block diagram

Specifications

Parameter	Value
Supply Voltage	2.7V – 5.5V
Supply Current	<50µA (typical), 0.5µA (shutdown)
Output Voltage Range	100mV (−40°C) to 1750mV (+125°C)
Output at 25°C	750mV
Offset Voltage	500mV
Temperature Range	−40°C to +125°C (operation to +150°C)
Sensitivity	10mV/°C
Accuracy	±1°C (at 25°C), ±2°C (full range)
Linearity	±0.5°C
Quiescent Current	<50µA
Shutdown Current	0.5µA (max)
Output Impedance	<1Ω
Capacitive Load	Up to 10,000pF stable
Self-Heating	<0.1°C in still air
Package Types	TO-92, SOIC-8, SOT-23
Operating Temperature	−40°C to +125°C
Storage Temperature	−65°C to +160°C