Parts Lists
The parts lists come in two versions: analog parts and digital parts. The analog list corresponds to the parts used in the analog labs (Chapters 1 to 13), while the digital list corresponds to the parts used in the digital labs (Chapters 14 to 28, including the Analog<=> Digital Lab). Each is provided in several formats – HTML (web viewable), Excel, and PDF – but all three formats contain identical information. We have highlighted parts that are common to both lists so you don’t double order. The lists do not include parts used in the Worked Examples unless explicitly stated in the notes column or the parts are used in an “L” chapter as well. Each version of the parts lists includes a second section showing parts sorted by the lab they are used in. For the pdf version it is the last page; for the HTML and Excel versions, is it selected by a second tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet.
Note that if you choose to follow the Two Semester Course – Analog Term syllabus, the Day 22 phase-locked loop lab requires two parts on the digital parts list, the 74HC4046 and the 74HC4040.
We tend to start our parts search at https://DigiKey.com because we like their web site, they carry SparkFun and Adafruit items which we use in the labs, and it is easy to upload a spreadsheet of parts to get a quote or create an order. In addition, they have created standard kits of parts for the Analog and Digital labs making it very easy to order most of the parts for the labs in a single click. Recently, we have also had success ordering from https://Mouser.com. For price comparisons and hard-to-find parts try TrustedParts.com. See also Appendix G: Where to Go to Buy Electronic Goodies for additional sources.
Some parts may be hard to find and we have tried to provide several sources where this is the case. For especially hard to find or expensive parts we have added information on possible substitutes.
Parts List Analog Labs (HTML)
Parts List Analog Labs (Excel)
Parts List Analog Labs (PDF)
Parts List Digital Labs (HTML)
Parts List Digital Labs (Excel)
Parts List Digital Labs (PDF)
As previously mentioned, Digikey has created Component Shopping Carts for both the first and second edition of Learning the Art of Electronics. For each edition, they have separate Carts for the Analog Parts List, the Digital Parts List, and a Combined Analog and Digital Parts List. While DigiKey does not sell every part on the lists above, they supply most of them. (For example, you cannot buy the WebFPGA from any distributor, you have to buy it direct.) When you click one of the links on the Art of Electronics – Components for Lab Course web page, it populates a DigiKey shopping cart with all the parts available from DigiKey for that list. The parts lists above now include a column showing what parts are included in the DigiKey cart as well as any substitutions (such as replacing the 1N5711 Schottky diode, now $6.23, with the SD101A Schottky diode for $0.40, which works just as well in the labs).
However, the DigiKey cart is populated with all the components they have available that are on the corresponding lists above, including both optional parts and some horrendously expensive parts you may prefer to skip. (We are talking to you AD630 Balanced Modulator/Demodulator at $50.95.) You may want to look through the notes in the parts lists above and review the links below (particularly the last one reviewing parts costing over $5) to decide which of the more expensive parts you want and which you can live without before clicking the checkout button (unless, of course, you just won the lottery).
The prices in the parts lists have been updated to July 2026 (and as you expect they mostly have gone up). In addition, the prices do not include any tariffs the US has assessed against foreign sourced components. (DigiKey shows tariffs on a separate line in their shopping cart.)
How to use an Arduino Zero to replace the SparkFun SAMD21 Mini and J-Link debugger
Substitutes for the SparkFun SerLCD serial 16×2 display on the digital parts list
Substitutes for the 74LS469 8-bit up/down counter on the digital parts list
Substitutes for the 2N5485 JFET on the analog parts list
Substitutes for the 1N5294 current regulator diode on the analog parts list (updated 2025-06-30)
Substitutes for the CA3096 transistor array on the analog parts list (updated 2025-10-30)
Substitutes for the LTC1150 and LT6020 op amps on the analog parts list
Substitute for the LT1073 switching voltage regulator on the analog parts list
Substitutes for the DG403 analog switch on the analog parts list
A list of the more expensive (more than $5) parts and where they are used
Why you might want to consider kits for some parts
If you have an update for the parts lists or have trouble finding a part, please let us know at parts@LAoE.link
The Daily Class/Lab Assignments entry for the Chapter 17 Lab in the Syllabi suggests using an LCD display board to display the outputs of the digital counter. This is something we have available to our students because we used it in the microcontroller labs in the first edition of the book. If you are curious, here is information on the board: LCD display and programming board.
Last update 2026-07-29