Today this question came up on the FastLED Google+ Group, so I decided to actually measure. Turns out, I was surprised to learn it varies quite a lot, depending on which type you actually have.
Type A – Approx 33.5 mA Maximum
My first test was this little board with 64 LEDs.
![](/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ws2812current1.jpg)
This is much lower than the 50 to 60 mA per LED budget that’s often mentioned. Here is a macro shot of the actual chip in these LEDs:
![](/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ws2812current2.jpg)
Type B – Approx 52.5 mA Maximum
Since the first test turned out so low, I also dug up a small strip of WS2812 LEDs from a project made a couple years ago.
![](/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ws2812current3.jpg)
These actually are just above the “normal” 50 mA budget. They also have a distinctly different chip inside.
![](/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ws2812current4.jpg)
Both of these were called “WS2812B”, but obviously they are quite different.
Both Types – Approx 1 mA When “Off”
One thing that is nearly identical to both types is the current used by the controller chip when the LED is “off”.
![](/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ws2812current5.jpg)
Both are just under 1 mA per LED when just sitting there dark.
This was just a quick test with two WS2812B LED products I had on hand. There may be even more types. But at the very least, hopefully this can give you an idea of how much power you might need for a LED project, depending on which type you actually have.