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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/esphome/esphome.io/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

ESPHome’s output domain provides the lowest-level hardware abstraction layer: it represents a physical output pin or peripheral as either a binary output (on/off only) or a float output (a continuous value from 0.0 to 1.0). Higher-level components — lights, fans, and servos — are built on top of outputs. You can also control outputs directly from automations for custom applications. There are two output categories:
  • Binary outputs — can only be fully ON or fully OFF (e.g. a simple GPIO pin).
  • Float outputs — accept any value between 0.0 and 1.0, typically driving PWM or DAC hardware.

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Base Output Configuration

output:
  - platform: ledc      # ESP32 hardware PWM
    pin: GPIO16
    id: fan_pwm
    frequency: 25000Hz
    min_power: 0.10     # never go below 10% duty
    max_power: 0.95     # never exceed 95% duty
    zero_means_zero: true
​
id
ID
required
The ID used to reference this output from lights, fans, servos, or automations.
​
inverted
boolean
If true, the output logic is inverted. Defaults to false.
​
power_supply
ID
ID of a power_supply component that is automatically switched on when this output is enabled.

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Float Output Only

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min_power
float (0–1)
The minimum output value. When the associated entity (light/fan) requests a non-zero level below this value, min_power is used instead. Defaults to 0.
​
max_power
float (0–1)
The maximum output value. Requests above this level are clamped. Defaults to 1.
​
zero_means_zero
boolean
If true, an output level of 0.0 truly outputs 0 (not min_power). Defaults to false.
min_power and max_power are automatically clamped to ensure 0.0 ≤ min_power ≤ max_power ≤ 1.0. This prevents invalid configurations.

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Output Actions

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output.turn_on

on_...:
  - output.turn_on: my_output

​
output.turn_off

on_...:
  - output.turn_off: my_output

​
output.set_level (float outputs only)

on_...:
  - output.set_level:
      id: fan_pwm
      level: 75%

​
output.set_min_power (float outputs only)

Dynamically adjust the minimum power level at runtime. 
on_...:
  - output.set_min_power:
      id: fan_pwm
      min_power: 20%

​
output.set_max_power (float outputs only)

Dynamically adjust the maximum power level at runtime. 
on_...:
  - output.set_max_power:
      id: fan_pwm
      max_power: 80%

​
Lambda Calls

// Binary output
id(my_output).turn_on();
id(my_output).turn_off();

// Float output
id(fan_pwm).set_level(0.75);  // 75%
id(fan_pwm).set_min_power(0.1);
id(fan_pwm).set_max_power(0.9);

GPIO Output

Control a digital GPIO pin directly. The fundamental binary output used by relays, LEDs, and logic circuits.

LEDC (ESP32 PWM)

ESP32’s hardware LED Controller peripheral. Provides high-frequency PWM for dimming, motor control, and fan speed.

ESP8266 PWM

Software PWM on ESP8266. Lower frequency and less accurate than ESP32 LEDC but widely used for basic dimming.

Slow PWM

Low-frequency PWM using relay on/off cycles. Ideal for resistive heaters and slow-response loads.

Sigma Delta Output

Sigma-delta modulation output for ESP32. Useful for audio and analog-like signals.

AC Dimmer

TRIAC-based AC dimmer for mains dimmable loads. Requires a zero-crossing detection circuit.

DAC Output

ESP32 internal 8-bit DAC on GPIO25/GPIO26. True analog voltage output (0–3.3 V).

PCA9685

16-channel I²C PWM LED/servo driver. Extend ESP32/8266 with 16 independent PWM channels.

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Using Outputs with Higher-Level Components

Outputs are the building blocks consumed by lights, fans, and servos.

​
Monochromatic Light from PWM

output:
  - platform: ledc
    id: light_pwm
    pin: GPIO4

light:
  - platform: monochromatic
    name: "Desk Lamp"
    output: light_pwm
    gamma_correct: 2.8

​
RGB Light from Three PWM Outputs

output:
  - platform: ledc
    id: red_channel
    pin: GPIO16
  - platform: ledc
    id: green_channel
    pin: GPIO17
  - platform: ledc
    id: blue_channel
    pin: GPIO18

light:
  - platform: rgb
    name: "RGB Strip"
    red: red_channel
    green: green_channel
    blue: blue_channel

​
Variable-Speed Fan from PWM

output:
  - platform: ledc
    id: fan_speed
    pin: GPIO19
    frequency: 25000Hz

fan:
  - platform: speed
    output: fan_speed
    name: "Server Fan"
    speed_count: 4

​
Servo from PWM

output:
  - platform: ledc
    id: servo_pwm
    pin: GPIO13
    frequency: 50Hz

servo:
  id: my_servo
  output: servo_pwm

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