2N2222 Pinout
2N2222 NPN Transistor · General-purpose NPN transistor; common for switching / small-signal amplification.
TO-92 plastic package: with the flat face toward you and the pins down, left to right is E-B-C. The metal-can TO-18 package has a different order.
| Pin | Name | Type | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E · Emitter | I/O | Emitter |
| 2 | B · Base | Input | Base (control) |
| 3 | C · Collector | Output | Collector |
How to read the 2N2222 pinout
- 01
Find pin 1
One end of the chip has a half-circle notch or a dot; with the notch facing up, the top-left pin is pin 1.
- 02
Count counter-clockwise
Count counter-clockwise from pin 1: go down the left side first, then up the right side from the bottom.
- 03
Check the table below
Look up each pin's function by number in the table below; power/ground are color-coded, and alternate-function signals are in parentheses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2N2222 pin order?
In the TO-92 plastic package (e.g. PN2222/P2N2222A), with the flat face toward you and the pins down, left to right is E-B-C. Note the metal-can TO-18 2N2222 has a different order; refer to the package as authoritative.
Does the base need a series resistor?
Yes. Connect the base to the drive signal through a current-limiting resistor (e.g. 1kΩ), otherwise excessive base current will destroy the transistor.
How much current can it drive?
The 2N2222A has a maximum collector current of about 800mA and Vce of about 40V, suiting small relays / LED arrays; use a MOSFET or Darlington for high power.
Pinout data comes from onsemi P2N2222A datasheet (standard TO-92 numbering). Refer to the actual device datasheet as authoritative for the pinout.