MPU6050 3-Axis Gyroscope and Accelerometer Module (GY-521)

6-DOF MEMS IMU combining 3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer over I2C, the standard hobby IMU.

₹130 + 18% GST

SKU: BOTBIT-SEN-05 · Best for: Quadcopter and multirotor flight controllers for stabilisation

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Overview

About MPU6050 3-Axis Gyroscope and Accelerometer Module (GY-521).

The MPU6050, sold on the popular GY-521 breakout, is a 6-DOF MEMS inertial measurement unit that combines a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer in one chip, communicating over I2C. It is the standard hobby IMU and appears in the majority of DIY quadcopters, self-balancing robots and motion-tracking projects.

The chip integrates a Digital Motion Processor (DMP) that can fuse the raw gyro and accelerometer data on-chip, offloading orientation math from your microcontroller. It also has a built-in temperature sensor and a configurable full-scale range for both sensors, so it adapts to slow tilt sensing or fast, high-g motion.

For Indian makers and robotics students, the GY-521 MPU6050 is the default first IMU because it is cheap, tiny, extremely well documented and supported by many libraries. It is the natural starting point before moving to 9-DOF units like the MPU9250 or higher-grade IMUs.

Key features

Why it stands out.

6 degrees of freedom: 3-axis gyroscope plus 3-axis accelerometer in one chip

On-chip Digital Motion Processor (DMP) for hardware sensor fusion

I2C interface with selectable address, easy 4-wire connection

Programmable gyro (+/-250 to +/-2000 dps) and accelerometer (+/-2 to +/-16g) ranges

Built-in temperature sensor and 16-bit ADCs for each axis

Interrupt pin and FIFO buffer, well supported by Arduino/ESP libraries

Specifications

Selection facts.

Sensor Type	6-DOF MEMS IMU (gyroscope + accelerometer)
Manufacturer	InvenSense (TDK) MPU-6050
Gyroscope Range	+/-250, +/-500, +/-1000, +/-2000 dps (selectable)
Accelerometer Range	+/-2g, +/-4g, +/-8g, +/-16g (selectable)
ADC Resolution	16-bit per axis
Interface	I2C, up to 400 kHz
I2C Address	0x68 (default) or 0x69 (AD0 high)
Supply Voltage	GY-521 module 3.3V-5V (onboard regulator); chip 2.375V-3.46V
Extra	On-chip DMP, temperature sensor, FIFO, interrupt output
Auxiliary Bus	I2C master for external magnetometer (for 9-DOF setups)

Applications

Where it is used.

Quadcopter and multirotor flight controllers for stabilisation
Self-balancing robots and inverted-pendulum projects
Gesture, tilt and motion detection
Wearable motion tracking and step/activity sensing
Camera gimbals and stabilisation platforms
Robotics orientation sensing and IMU learning projects

Buying guide

How to choose.

Buy the MPU6050/GY-521 as your first IMU if you are building a drone, a self-balancing robot, a gimbal, or any project that needs orientation, tilt or motion sensing. It is cheap, tiny, and has more tutorials and library support than almost any other IMU.

If your project needs a heading/compass, choose a 9-DOF unit such as the MPU9250 (adds a magnetometer) instead, because the MPU6050 alone cannot give absolute yaw without drift. Use the GY-521 module version so the onboard regulator lets you power it from 3.3V or 5V; connect it over I2C and use the common MPU6050 or I2Cdevlib libraries.

Pair it with an Arduino, ESP32 or Raspberry Pi. For flight controllers, the DMP and interrupt pin help offload sensor-fusion math from the main processor.

FAQ

Common questions.

What does 6-DOF mean here?

It means 6 degrees of freedom: three axes of gyroscope (rotation rate) plus three axes of accelerometer (linear acceleration). It does not include a magnetometer, so it cannot measure absolute compass heading on its own.

How do I wire and address it?

It is an I2C device. Connect VCC, GND, SDA and SCL. The default address is 0x68; pulling the AD0 pin high changes it to 0x69, letting you run two MPU6050s on one bus.

Which library should I use?

Common choices are the Jeff Rowberg MPU6050/I2Cdevlib library (which supports the on-chip DMP) and the Adafruit MPU6050 library. Both provide raw and fused readings with example sketches.

Can I get yaw/heading from it?

You can get yaw from the gyroscope, but it will drift over time because there is no magnetometer for an absolute reference. For stable heading, use a 9-DOF sensor like the MPU9250 or add a separate magnetometer.

Is it available in India and what is in the box?

Yes, the GY-521 MPU6050 is one of the most widely stocked IMUs in India. You receive a single GY-521 breakout board; the header pins are often supplied unsoldered, and jumper wires are usually separate.