Reading a button press with Arduino is a fundamental skill in embedded programming. Here’s how to do it step by step:

**What You Need:**
* 1x [Arduino board](https://www.ampheo.com/c/development-board-arduino) (e.g., [Arduino Uno](https://www.ampheo.com/product/a000046-25542493))
* 1x [Push button](https://www.onzuu.com/category/pushbutton-switches)
* 1x 10kΩ [resistor](https://www.onzuu.com/category/resistors) (optional if using internal pull-up)
* [Breadboard](https://www.onzuu.com/category/solderless-breadboards) and [jumper wires](https://www.onzuu.com/category/jumper-wires-pre-crimped-leads)

**Wiring the Button (with Pull-Down Resistor):**

Add a 10kΩ resistor between pin 2 and GND
→ When the button is pressed, pin 2 reads HIGH

**Basic Code: Detect Button Press**

cpp

const int buttonPin = 2;  // Connected to the button
const int ledPin = 13;    // Built-in LED

void setup() {
  pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT);   // Set button pin as input
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);     // Set LED pin as output
}

void loop() {
  int buttonState = digitalRead(buttonPin);  // Read button

  if (buttonState == HIGH) {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);  // Turn LED on if pressed
  } else {
    digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);   // Turn LED off if not
  }
}

**Alternate Wiring: Internal Pull-Up (No Resistor Needed)**
* Connect one side of the button to GND
* Connect the other to pin 2
* Use internal pull-up:

cpp

void setup() {
  pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT_PULLUP); // Activates internal pull-up resistor
}

Note: Now LOW = pressed, HIGH = unpressed (inverted logic)

**Summary:**
* Use digitalRead() to check button state
* Use pull-down (external) or pull-up (internal) to avoid floating inputs
* Buttons can control LEDs, trigger events, or navigate menus