How to Make a YouTube Live Subscriber Counter Using ESP32 & MAX7219

In this tutorial, I will show you how to build your own YouTube Live Subscriber Counter using an ESP32 Wi-Fi module and a MAX7219 LED Matrix display.

This project displays:

1. ✅ YouTube Channel Name
2. ✅ Total Subscribers
3. ✅ Total Views
4. ✅ Total Videos

All data updates automatically every 2 minutes using the YouTube Data API.

Let’s get started 🚀

You will need:

1. ESP32 Wi-Fi Module
2. MAX7219 LED Matrix Display
3. Micro USB Female Jack
4. USB Cable
5. Jumper Wires
6. Laptop / PC
7. Wi-Fi Internet Connection
8. Arduino IDE Software
9. 3D Printed Enclosure (Optional for professional look)

Make the following connections carefully:

1. GND → GND
2. VCC → VIN (ESP32)
3. DIN → D13
4. CS → D12
5. CLK → D14

Double-check your wiring before powering the board.

1. Connect the Micro USB female jack to ESP32
2. Plug the USB cable into your Laptop

Now your ESP32 is ready for programming.

1. Download the project code
2. Open the file in Arduino IDE

Before uploading the code, install these libraries:

1. Open Arduino IDE
2. Go to Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries
3. Search and install:
4. MD_Parola
5. MD_MAX72xx

These libraries are necessary for controlling the MAX7219 display.

Inside the code, find the Wi-Fi section.

Enter:

1. Your SSID (Wi-Fi Name)
2. Your Wi-Fi Password

Make sure the Wi-Fi connection has active internet.

To fetch YouTube data, we need two things:

1. API_KEY
2. Channel ID

Creating API Key:

1. Open Google Cloud Console (link provided)
2. Select your Email ID
3. Click Agree & Continue
4. Click Select a Project → Create New Project
5. Project Name:
6. YouTube Live Subscribers Count
7. Location: Select No Organisation
8. Click Create
9. Wait 20–30 seconds

Enable YouTube Data API v3

1. Click the top-left three lines
2. Go to APIs & Services → Library
3. Search: YouTube Data API v3
4. Click Enable

Create API Key

1. Go to APIs & Services → Credentials
2. Click Create Credentials
3. Choose API Key
4. Give it a name
5. Click Create
6. Copy the generated API Key
7. Click on the created API
8. Select Restrict Key → Save

⚠ Keep your API key private.

1. Log in to your YouTube channel
2. Go to Settings
3. Open Advanced Settings
4. Copy your Channel ID

Now paste:

1. API_KEY
2. Channel ID
3. Your YouTube Channel Name

Save the code.

1. In Arduino IDE go to Tools
2. Select Board → ESP32
3. Select correct COM Port
4. Click Upload

If you are new to ESP32 uploading, follow the ESP32 upload guide.

After successful upload, the display will show:

1. Wi-Fi Connecting
2. Wi-Fi Connected
3. Channel Name
4. Total Subscribers
5. Total Videos
6. Total Views

These values run in a loop.

Subscribers automatically update every 2 minutes.

To give the project a clean and studio-ready look, I designed a 3D printed enclosure for the display.

If you want the enclosure material, you can contact via the provided email.

You now have your own YouTube Live Subscriber Counter running in real-time using ESP32 and MAX7219.

This project is perfect for:

1. YouTube Studio Setup
2. Live Stream Background
3. Creator Desk
4. DIY Electronics Projects

If you liked this project, consider sharing it and building more creative tech projects 🔥