7 Segment Display Counter With Shift Register

This is the perfect beginner project if you are just learning how to use a shift register and how it operates with code. Additionally, this project is a great start if you're new to the 7 segment display. Before you begin this project make sure to power the breadboard with 3.3 V and GND (both sides of the breadboard).

• 8 220 Ohm resistors
• 7 segment display
• 74HC595 Shift Resistor
• Arduino
• Breadboard
• Jumper wires

To begin with, you want to know if your 7 segment display has a common cathode or a common anode. Accordingly, you would have to wire your 7 segment display. This tutorial can work for both common cathode or anode, just make sure if you have a common anode, connect that specific pin to VCC and if you have a common cathode, connect that pin to GND.

• Connect pin A to 200-ohm resistor which then connects to Output 1 on the shift register
• Connect pin B to 200-ohm resistor which then connects to Output 2 on the shift register
• Connect pin C to 200-ohm resistor which then connects to Output 3 on the shift register
• Connect pin D to 200-ohm resistor which then connects to Output 4 on the shift register
• Connect pin E to 200-ohm resistor which then connects to Output 5 on the shift register
• Connect pin F to 200-ohm resistor which then connects to Output 6 on the shift register
• Connect pin G to 200-ohm resistor which then connects to Output 7 on the shift register
• Connect pin DP to 200-ohm resistor which then connects to Output 8 on the shift register
• Connect CA to 200-ohm resistor which then connects to Power

Most of the pins in the shift register were already wired accordingly in the last step. Now, the only pins that needs to be wired are the digital output pins as well as GND.

• Connect the Output Enable and Ground pin to GND
• Connect the power pin to 5 V on the Arduino as well as to the shift register clear
• Connect Input to pin 2 on the Arduino
• Connect output register clock to pin 3 on the Arduino
• Connect shift register clock to pin 4 on the Arduino

Here is the link to the code. If you have any questions let me know!