How to set the address
It starts at 0x29 at every power-up; a new address can be set over I²C. To use two, hold one in reset with XSHUT while you change the other’s address.
Devices that use the same addresses
Two devices on the same bus can’t answer on the same address. These modules from our list also use 0x29:
| Device | What it is | Shared address |
|---|---|---|
| BNO055 | 9-axis absolute orientation sensor with fusion | 0x29 |
| TCS34725 | RGB colour sensor | 0x29 |
| TSL2561 | ambient light sensor (visible and infrared) | 0x29 |
| VL53L0X | time-of-flight distance sensor | 0x29 |
If two of them end up on the same address, move one with its address pin, put one behind a TCA9548A multiplexer (0x70–0x77), or use a second I²C bus: the ESP32, ESP32-S3 and RP2040 have two I²C controllers (the ESP32-C3 has one).
Check your whole bus →Add the VL53L1X and your other modules: the checker finds conflicts, suggests free addresses and sizes the pull-ups.
7-bit and 8-bit address
I²C addresses are 7 bits long. Some datasheets and libraries write them as 8-bit numbers, with the read/write bit added on the right: that is why the same chip can appear as 0x29 or 0x52. Arduino’s Wire library and ESPHome use the 7-bit form.
| 7-bit | Binary | 8-bit write | 8-bit read |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0x29 | 0101001 | 0x52 | 0x53 |
Check that it answers
Upload this sketch with the VL53L1X wired to SDA and SCL: it tries every address the chip can use and prints the one that answers. On an ESP32 the default pins are GPIO21 (SDA) and GPIO22 (SCL); on an Arduino Uno, A4 and A5.
#include <Wire.h>
const byte ADDRS[] = {0x29};
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
Wire.begin();
for (byte a : ADDRS) {
Wire.beginTransmission(a);
if (Wire.endTransmission() == 0) {
Serial.print("VL53L1X answers at 0x");
if (a < 0x10) Serial.print('0');
Serial.println(a, HEX);
return;
}
}
Serial.println("No answer: check the wiring");
}
void loop() {}
In ESPHome the bus is scanned at boot (scan: true is the default): the log lists every address that answers.
i2c:
sda: GPIO21
scl: GPIO22
scan: true
Pull-up resistors
SDA and SCL need pull-up resistors to the supply. Many breakout boards already carry them, often 4.7 kΩ or 10 kΩ, and with several boards on the bus they add up in parallel. The I²C checker works out the allowed range for your bus voltage and speed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the I2C address of the VL53L1X?
0x29 by default. It starts at 0x29 at every power-up; a new address can be set over I²C. To use two, hold one in reset with XSHUT while you change the other’s address.
Can I use more than one VL53L1X on the same bus?
Yes, once each one has its own address.
Why doesn’t the VL53L1X show up in an I2C scan?
Check, in this order: SDA and SCL not swapped; ground shared between the boards; pull-up resistors on SDA and SCL; the module powered at the voltage it is made for; and that your code uses the 7-bit address (0x29), not the 8-bit one (0x52).
Similar devices
Addresses checked against the VL53L1X datasheet.