# Arduino Nano with ESP8266 **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions\ **Created:** [March 6, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/arduino-nano-with-esp8266/2450 "2021-03-06T22:47:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Toxicl16](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/toxicl16/32/1278_2.png) [@Toxicl16](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Toxicl16)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/arduino-nano-with-esp8266/2450/1 "2021-03-06T22:47:48Z")
Hi, I was wondering if I could use and Arduino Nano with an ESP8266 (Like this one: [WiFi MODULE - ESP8266 | All Electronics Corp.](https://www.allelectronics.com/item/esp-8266/wifi-module-esp8266/1.html)) and use it to control a WS2812B LED strip? Would I need to do anything special, or can I just follow the instructions here: [Install WLED binary · Aircoookie/WLED Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/Aircoookie/WLED/wiki/Install-WLED-binary) Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![tonyno](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/tonyno/32/242_2.png) [@tonyno](https://wled.discourse.group/u/tonyno)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2021, 11:08pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/arduino-nano-with-esp8266/2450/2 "2021-03-06T23:08:47Z")
The Nano would not be part of it. ---
**Author:** ![Toxicl16](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/toxicl16/32/1278_2.png) [@Toxicl16](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Toxicl16)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2021, 11:31pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/arduino-nano-with-esp8266/2450/3 "2021-03-06T23:31:00Z")
How come? That ESP8266 (ESP-01) isn’t a stand-alone board is it? ---
**Author:** ![Toxicl16](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/toxicl16/32/1278_2.png) [@Toxicl16](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Toxicl16)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2021, 1:27am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/arduino-nano-with-esp8266/2450/4 "2021-03-07T01:27:23Z")
Would I be able to use an Arduino to flash the WLED firmware? Like seen here: ([ThingSpeak, Arduino & the ESP8266. Video 2 : Flashing Firmware onto the ESP8266! - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGiqJyxv1Yk&t=1s))? ---
**Author:** ![tonyno](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/tonyno/32/242_2.png) [@tonyno](https://wled.discourse.group/u/tonyno)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2021, 2:35pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/arduino-nano-with-esp8266/2450/5 "2021-03-07T14:35:44Z")
Yes, the ESP-01 can be stand-alone, but I guess it depends on your definition. You could use an Arduino to flash if you don’t have a USB/TTL converter like this. > **[Amazon.com: WINGONEER USB 2.0 to TTL UART 6PIN CP2102 Module Serial Converter:...](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LRVQIFQ)** > > Amazon.com: WINGONEER USB 2.0 to TTL UART 6PIN CP2102 Module Serial Converter: Computers & Accessories ---
**Author:** ![Toxicl16](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/toxicl16/32/1278_2.png) [@Toxicl16](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Toxicl16)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2021, 4:37pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/arduino-nano-with-esp8266/2450/6 "2021-03-07T16:37:38Z")
Ok, thanks! I’ll work with that and use an Arduino to flash the firmware. I would just need a different power supply for it and the LED strips as the ESP is 3.3V and the LEDs are 5V. ---
**Author:** ![Toxicl16](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/toxicl16/32/1278_2.png) [@Toxicl16](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Toxicl16)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 3:01am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/arduino-nano-with-esp8266/2450/7 "2021-03-08T03:01:05Z")
Also, would I just be able to attach power, ground, and the LEDs to the ESP-01 and it work, or do I still need the Arduino after the WLED firmware is flashed? ---
**Author:** ![tonyno](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/tonyno/32/242_2.png) [@tonyno](https://wled.discourse.group/u/tonyno)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 1:42pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/arduino-nano-with-esp8266/2450/8 "2021-03-08T13:42:10Z")
The Arduino would just be for flashing. Keep the wires between the ESP and the LEDs short or you will need a level shifter. See here for more. [Home · Aircoookie/WLED Wiki · GitHub](https://github.com/Aircoookie/WLED/wiki) ---
**Author:** ![Toxicl16](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/toxicl16/32/1278_2.png) [@Toxicl16](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Toxicl16)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 2:52pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/arduino-nano-with-esp8266/2450/9 "2021-03-08T14:52:52Z")
Thank you very much!