Arduino Nano 328 With CH340 Chip - Clone
Nearly every Arduino Nano clone board runs on a CH340 chip — this guide covers the specs, the CH340 driver you'll need, and how it compares to the Arduino Uno.
Internal Reference:
KIT.ARDUINO.NANO.CH340
Overview
The Arduino Nano is a small, complete, and breadboard-friendly board based on the ATmega328 microcontroller. This version uses a CH340 USB-to-serial chip for programming — the same approach used by most Arduino Nano clone boards worldwide — paired with original ATmega328 MCU chips (not counterfeit) for reliable performance.
Arduino Nano vs Arduino Uno — Which One Should You Choose?
- Arduino Nano: smaller footprint (45×18mm), breadboard-friendly, same ATmega328 core — best for compact projects and prototyping directly on a breadboard
- Arduino Uno: larger, more I/O headroom for shields, easier to wire without a breadboard — best for shield-based projects
Need the larger board instead? See our Arduino Uno Rev3.
What Does "CH340 Clone" Actually Mean?
This is a compatible Arduino Nano clone board — not an official Arduino-brand product — built with a genuine ATmega328 microcontroller. The difference from an official Arduino Nano is the USB-to-serial chip: official boards use an FTDI or ATmega16U2 chip, while this clone uses a CH340, a widely-used and reliable alternative found on the large majority of Nano clones. The only extra step is installing a small CH340 driver before your computer recognizes the board.
Installing the CH340 Driver
- Download the official driver from WCH (CH340 manufacturer)
- Install it, then restart your computer if prompted
- Connect the Arduino Nano via USB and select the correct COM port in the Arduino IDE
Compatible Shields & Accessories
- Pair it with the Arduino Nano Shield Working Area for easy soldering and prototyping
- Building a CNC or laser project? See the Arduino Nano CNC Machine V4 Board
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this an original Arduino board or a clone?
It's a compatible clone board, not an official Arduino-brand product — but it uses a genuine ATmega328 MCU chip, not a counterfeit one.
Do I need to install a driver to use this board?
Yes. Because it uses a CH340 USB-to-serial chip instead of the official Arduino's FTDI chip, you'll need to install the CH340 driver once before your computer recognizes it.
What's the difference between the Arduino Nano and Arduino Uno?
They share the same ATmega328 core, but the Nano is smaller and breadboard-friendly, while the Uno is larger with easier shield compatibility.
Does this board work with the standard Arduino IDE?
Yes, it's fully compatible with the standard Arduino IDE — just select "Arduino Nano" as the board and the correct COM port after installing the CH340 driver.