Serial.parseFloat()

Description

Serial.parseFloat() returns the first valid floating point number from the Serial buffer. parseFloat() is terminated by the first character that is not a floating point number. The function terminates if it times out (see Serial.setTimeout()).

Serial.parseFloat() inherits from the Stream utility class.

Syntax

Serial.parseFloat()

Serial.parseFloat(lookahead)

Serial.parseFloat(lookahead, ignore)

Parameter Values

  • Serial: serial port object. See the list of available serial ports for each board on the Serial main page.
  • lookahead: the mode used to look ahead in the stream for a floating point number. Allowed data types: LookaheadMode. Allowed lookahead values:
    • SKIP_ALL: all characters other than a minus sign, decimal point, or digits are ignored when scanning the stream for a floating point number. This is the default mode.
    • SKIP_NONE: Nothing is skipped, and the stream is not touched unless the first waiting character is valid.
    • SKIP_WHITESPACE: Only tabs, spaces, line feeds, and carriage returns are skipped.
  • ignore: used to skip the indicated char in the search. Used for example to skip thousands divider. Allowed data types: char

Return Values

  • Data type: float.

Example Code

void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); } void loop() { if (Serial.available() > 0) { float myFloat = Serial.parseFloat(SKIP_ALL, '\n'); // prints the received float number Serial.print("I received: "); Serial.println(myFloat); } }
  • Compile and upload the above code to Arduino
  • Open Serial Monitor and select Newline option
  • Type -127.45 on Serial Monitor and click Send button:
COM6
Send
Autoscroll Show timestamp
Clear output
9600 baud  
Newline  
  • The result on Serial Monitor:
COM6
Send
I received: -127.45
Autoscroll Show timestamp
Clear output
9600 baud  
Newline  

※ NOTES AND WARNINGS:

Serial functions are not only used for the communication between an Arduino board and Serial Monitor of Arduino IDE but also used for the communication between:

  • An Arduino board and other Arduino board
  • An Arduino board and other sensors/devices
  • An Arduino board and computer (any Serial software on computer)* An Arduino board and other Arduino board
  • An Arduino board and other sensors/devices
  • An Arduino board and computer (any Serial software on computer)

See Also

ARDUINO BUY RECOMMENDATION

Arduino UNO R3
Arduino Starter Kit
Please note: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy the components through these links, We will get a commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate it.

※ OUR MESSAGES