44 Matrix Tactile Button Keypad Module 16 Key Hard Switch Keyboard Array for Arduino & ESP32

Overview

The 44 Matrix Tactile Button Keypad Module is a rigid electronic input board containing 16 individual momentary push buttons arranged in a grid. Unlike flexible membrane keypads that can wear out or tear over time, this version uses mechanical, high-performance tactile micro-switches soldered directly onto a robust FR4 glass-fiber PCB. It provides clear, physical click feedback upon every press, making it highly reliable for calculation grids, data logging controllers, and password-protected security terminals.

Key Features

• Crisp Tactile Feedback: Offers a satisfying mechanical snap with every press, eliminating accidental double-clicks.

• Rigid PCB Construction: Built on a durable circuit board with four pre-drilled 3mm corner mounting holes for permanent panel installation.

• Pin-Saving Matrix Design: Scans 16 independent keys using just 8 pins, preserving valuable microcontroller pins for sensors and displays.

• Breadboard Friendly Header: Features a standard 8-pin male header with 2.54mm (0.1) spacing, making it fully compatible with standard jumper wires and breadboards.

Technical Specifications

How the Matrix Pinout Works

The 8 pins on the header are split into two halves:

• Pins 1 to 4 (R1, R2, R3, R4): Control the 4 Rows.

• Pins 5 to 8 (C1, C2, C3, C4): Control the 4 Columns.

When a button is pressed, it shorts one specific Row line to one specific Column line. Your Arduino code scans through the rows and reads the columns to determine the exact key pressed.