Browse WLED's built-in effects with descriptions, settings explanations, and tips. Includes 1D strip, 2D matrix, and audio reactive effects.
39 effects shown
Displays a single static colour across the entire strip. The simplest effect — useful as a base state or for accent lighting.
Tip: Use with white or warm white for bias lighting.
Alternates the strip between on and off at a configurable rate. Classic strobe-style effect.
Tip: Keep speed low for a relaxed breathing-lamp feel.
Gently fades the whole strip in and out like a breathing motion. Very popular for ambient and sleep lighting.
Tip: Pair with a warm orange palette for a candle-like glow.
A colour wipes across the strip from one end to the other, then resets. Clean and satisfying.
Tip: Works well with a two-colour palette for contrast.
Cycles the full RGB rainbow across the entire strip. The signature addressable LED effect.
Tip: Lower the speed for a slow, luxurious sweep.
Distributes the full rainbow evenly across the strip length and cycles it. More uniform than Rainbow.
Tip: Great for short strips where the full spectrum should always be visible.
A single bright dot bounces back and forth across the strip with a fading tail — the classic Knight Rider effect.
Tip: Increase intensity for a longer, more dramatic tail.
Two scanning dots travel in opposite directions simultaneously. Symmetric and eye-catching.
Tip: Use contrasting colours in the palette for the two scanners.
Smoothly fades between colours from the selected palette. Calming and elegant.
Tip: Use a sunset palette for a beautiful ambient effect.
Classic marquee-style chase with evenly spaced lit segments moving along the strip. Retro and punchy.
Tip: Higher intensity increases the spacing between lit segments.
Theater chase pattern but cycling through the full rainbow spectrum as it moves.
Tip: Works best on longer strips where multiple colour segments are visible.
A smooth sine wave of brightness runs along the strip, creating a flowing liquid light effect.
Tip: Pairs beautifully with a cool blue/cyan palette for a water effect.
A bright head with a long fading tail shoots across the strip repeatedly in one direction.
Tip: Maximum intensity gives the longest, most dramatic tail.
Random colour segments chase each other along the strip. Energetic and unpredictable.
Tip: Great for party lighting — pairs well with audio reactive.
The classic fire simulation algorithm. Generates realistic-looking flame using random heat diffusion. One of the most beloved WLED effects.
Tip: Lower cooling and higher sparking creates taller, more dramatic flames.
Random pixels light up in palette colours and fade out — like a field of fireflies or colourful sparks.
Tip: Use a pastel palette for a magical fairy-light effect.
Random LEDs twinkle on and off like stars or fairy lights. Gentle and festive.
Tip: Lower density and slower speed for a starfield look.
Improved twinkle with smoother, more organic fading. LEDs rise and fall independently like fireflies.
Tip: One of the best effects for Christmas/holiday lighting.
A bright meteor with a randomly decaying trail falls along the strip repeatedly. Dramatic and hypnotic.
Tip: Random decay (high intensity) creates a more realistic meteor trail.
A smooth version of the Meteor effect with consistent, uniform fading instead of random decay.
Tip: More predictable and cleaner — good for accent lighting.
Bright points appear and spread outward as ripples across the strip, like water drops.
Tip: Works best on longer strips where the ripple has room to expand.
Fills the strip with one colour then wipes it away with another. Clean and satisfying reveal effect.
Tip: Use complementary colours (e.g. blue/orange) for maximum impact.
Sweeps smoothly between palette colours across the full strip length. Elegant gradient transitions.
Tip: Use with a sunset or ocean palette for wall wash lighting.
Displays a continuous gradient from the selected palette that slowly cycles along the strip.
Tip: Set speed to zero for a static gradient accent light.
Distributes the full selected palette across the strip and cycles it. Similar to Rainbow but using custom palettes.
Tip: The "Party" palette gives a great disco effect.
Smooth colour flow with multiple overlapping sine waves from the palette creating organic movement.
Tip: Increase wave count for a more complex, layered appearance.
The classic green Matrix digital rain effect on a 2D LED grid. Each column has independently falling green characters.
Tip: Use a green/black palette for the authentic Matrix look.
Conway's Game of Life cellular automaton displayed on your LED matrix. Fascinating emergent patterns evolve over time.
Tip: Slower speed lets you observe pattern evolution more clearly.
Flowing plasma-style interference patterns fill the matrix with smoothly shifting colour fields.
Tip: Higher intensity increases pattern complexity and detail.
Mesmerising concentric ring patterns that rotate and drift across the matrix surface.
Tip: Use a cool blue/purple palette for a hypnotic vortex look.
Simulates the iridescent interference patterns of a soap bubble surface in motion. Organic and beautiful.
Tip: Best appreciated on larger matrices (16×16 or bigger).
Draws animated Lissajous curve figures on the matrix — the classic oscilloscope waveform pattern.
Tip: Adjust speed and intensity for different curve ratios.
Realistic fireworks simulation with particles launched upward, exploding, and cascading down in the selected palette colours.
Tip: Use a multicolour palette for a full fireworks display.
Multiple coloured balls bounce around the 2D matrix with realistic gravity and collision physics.
Tip: Use contrasting palette colours so individual balls are easy to track.
A stream of particles falls from the top of the matrix like a waterfall, pooling and splashing at the bottom.
Tip: Use a blue/white palette for a realistic water cascade.
Displays the current audio peak level as a brightness bar that fills from one end. Reacts directly to loudness.
Tip: Calibrate sensitivity so the bar reaches maximum on loud peaks only.
Like a VU meter — a bar fills with audio level and a peak indicator dot falls slowly after each peak. Classic audio visualiser look.
Tip: Slow decay creates a more dramatic hanging peak effect.
Visualises the audio frequency spectrum as a smooth waveform that undulates across the strip length.
Tip: Different music genres create very different waveform shapes.
Fast-strobing random colour segments simulating a DJ stage light effect. High energy and chaotic.
Tip: Combine with audio reactive for a party light that responds to music.