What is a Raspberry Pi?

The Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, credit-card-sized Linux computer designed to make it easy to learn how to code, experiment with electronics, and build compact projects.

Depending on the model, you can use it like a small desktop computer for everyday tasks (web browsing, office work, media playback, and programming), or run it “headless” (without a screen) as a server or controller.

Since the first Raspberry Pi launched in 2012, the platform has grown into one of the world’s best-known single-board computing ecosystems, used by hobbyists, educators, and businesses alike. Its small size, low power use, and huge community support make it a flexible tool for projects ranging from media centres and retro gaming to home automation, digital signage, and industrial/embedded systems.

What can I do with it?

Raspberry Pi’s low cost and portability make it a great way to learn to code, build projects, and explore how computers work. If you already have some experience, it’s also a capable little machine for running services and tools at home or at work.

Thanks to a large open-source community, you don’t need to start from scratch: there are many well-documented projects, operating system images, and step-by-step tutorials available.

Here are a few examples of what a Raspberry Pi can do:

What components does a Raspberry Pi have?

Exact specifications vary by model, but most Raspberry Pi computers include:

  • A system-on-chip (CPU + GPU) and RAM on the board
  • A microSD card slot for storage (and often for booting)
  • Video output via HDMI (connector type varies by model)
  • USB ports for peripherals and storage
  • Networking (often Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on modern models; Ethernet on many full-size boards)
  • A 40-pin General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) header for connecting and controlling sensors, lights, motors, and add-on boards (“HATs”)

Many models also support camera and display connections via ribbon-cable connectors, and newer boards may support faster storage options. For example, Raspberry Pi 5 adds a PCIe interface for fast peripherals such as an M.2 NVMe SSD (with the appropriate add-on).

Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian) is the recommended general-purpose operating system. Most people install an OS onto a microSD card using the Raspberry Pi Imager tool, though many newer models also support booting from USB storage and other options.

Common accessories

Exactly what you need depends on your project, but these accessories are useful for most setups:

  • Power supply: Use a good-quality PSU matched to your model. Some boards use micro-USB power; newer, more powerful boards use USB-C and may require higher current.
  • Storage: A reliable microSD card is essential for most builds. For higher performance and durability, consider USB storage or SSD options where supported.
  • Display and cable: Most models output via HDMI, but the connector may be full-size, micro-HDMI, or mini-HDMI depending on the board.
  • Keyboard and mouse (or other input): Great for desktop-style use; for portable builds you might prefer a touchscreen, buttons, or a controller.
  • Case and cooling: A case protects the board and reduces the risk of short circuits. Higher-performance boards benefit from heatsinks and/or active cooling (a fan), especially under sustained load.
  • Project add-ons: Cameras, sensors, HATs, LEDs, and cables to build physical computing projects via GPIO.

What models are available?

Raspberry Pi products come in several families, from tiny boards designed for embedded projects to powerful models suitable for desktop use:

  • Raspberry Pi 5: the current flagship single-board computer, designed for high performance.
  • Raspberry Pi 4: still widely used for general-purpose projects, media, and servers.
  • Raspberry Pi Zero: small, low-power boards for compact builds.
  • Keyboard computers: integrated all-in-one systems such as Raspberry Pi 500/500+ (successor to Raspberry Pi 400).
  • Compute Module: for embedding Raspberry Pi technology into custom hardware and industrial products.
  • Pico microcontrollers: for embedded control projects that don’t require a full Linux computer.

Milestone model

First released

Raspberry Pi 1 Model B

2012

Raspberry Pi 2 Model B

2015

Raspberry Pi Zero

2015

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

2016

Raspberry Pi Zero W

2017

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+

2018

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

2019

Raspberry Pi 400 (keyboard computer)

2020

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W

2021

Raspberry Pi 5

2023

Raspberry Pi 500 (keyboard computer)

2024

Is the Raspberry Pi open source?

Raspberry Pi computers run Linux, and Raspberry Pi OS is largely built from open-source software. There’s also a wide ecosystem of open-source tools and projects for Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi publishes extensive documentation and makes schematics available for many products, but Raspberry Pi is not “open hardware” in the strict sense: some key components and firmware remain proprietary.

What is the Raspberry Pi Foundation?

The Raspberry Pi Foundation is a UK educational charity founded in 2008. Its mission is to enable young people to realise their full potential through the power of computing and digital technologies.

Raspberry Pi Ltd was incorporated in 2012 as the Foundation’s commercial subsidiary and is responsible for the design, production, and distribution of Raspberry Pi computers and associated technologies. The Foundation uses profits and dividends from those commercial activities to fund its educational programmes and free learning resources.