7400 Series Guide: 74HC95/74LS95 (Shift Register)

The 74×95 (ex 74LS95) is a cool little chip that has 4-bit universal shift register.

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about this chip and how you can use shift registers in your own projects.

What does the 74LS95 do?

The 74×95 gives you 4-bit universal shift register. A shift-register is a memory circuit that that is used to store and move bits.

The 74×95 IC has separate shift and load clock inputs. Since it’s a universal shift register, you can do multiple functions, including shifting data left or right, parallel loading, and holding data.

How To Use This Chip

The 74LS95 comes in a 14-pin package, and you need to connect it to power before you can use it. Most 7400 ICs support a VCC voltage of 5V. One difference between the HC and LS version of the chip is that the 74HC95 supports 2V to 6V, while the 74LS95 only supports 5V.

The maximum current you can pull out of one output pin is 0.4 mA when the pin is high (sourcing) or 8 mA when the pin is low (sinking). This can differ between models, so check the datasheet of your model to verify.

The chip has various modes:

• Parallel Load: Load data into the register simultaneously on all bits.
• Serial Input/Output: Allows for the serial loading and shifting of data through the register.
• Hold: Maintains the current state without altering the data.

74×95 Pinout

The 74LS95 has 14 pins and contains 4-bit universal shift register with pins laid out as shown in the pinout diagram below:

Pin Name	Pin #	Type	Description
D	1	Input	Serial data input for shifting.
P0	2	Input	Parallel data input bit 0.
P1	3	Input	Parallel data input bit 1.
P2	4	Input	Parallel data input bit 2.
P3	5	Input	Parallel data input bit 3.
LD/SH	6	Input	Load/Shift control input (Load mode when high).
GND	7	Power	Connect to ground (GND).
LDCLK	8	Input	Clock input for loading data.
SHCLK	9	Input	Shift clock input for shifting data.
Q3	10	Output	Output bit 3 from the shift register.
Q2	11	Output	Output bit 2 from the shift register.
Q1	12	Output	Output bit 1 from the shift register.
Q0	13	Output	Output bit 0 from the shift register.
VCC	14	Power	Positive power supply. Connect to +5V power.

Alternatives and Equivalents for 74HC95 / 74LS95

There are many versions of the 74×95 chip. They all have the same functionality, but with different specifications such as supported voltages and maximum current output.

Here’s a list of a few equivalents of this chip:

• 74HC95 (High-speed CMOS)
• 74HCT95 (High-speed CMOS, TTL compatible)
• 74LS95 (High-speed TTL)
• 74LVC95 (Low Voltage TTL)
• 74AC95 (Advanced CMOS)
• 74ALS95 (Advanced Low-Power Schottky TTL)
• 74F95 (Very High Speed)
• 74C95 (CMOS, similar to the 4000-series)

Some manufacturers also add a prefix, such as the SN74HC95 and SN74LS95 by Texas Instruments.

Can’t find the 74×95 anywhere? Then try one of the following IC alternatives:

• 74×595 – 8-bit shift register.
• 74×91 – 8-bit shift register.
• 74×94 – 4-bit shift register.
• 74×96 – 5-bit parallel-in/parallel-out shift register.
• 74×99 – 4-bit bidirectional universal shift register.
• 74×164 – 8-bit serial-in parallel-out (SIPO) shift register.
• 74×165 – 8-bit parallel-in serial-out (PISO) shift register.
• 74×166 – parallel-load 8-bit shift register.
• CD4006 – 18-stage shift register.
• CD4014 – 8-stage parallel in shift register.
• CD4015 – Dual 4-stage shift register.
• CD4021 – 8-stage parallel in shift register.
• CD4031 – 64-stage shift register.
• CD4035 – 4-stage parallel-in/parallel-out shift register.

If you can’t find the 74×95 IC in your local electronics store, don’t worry, you’ll most likely find it in one of the stores listed on this page of online stores where you’ll find components and tools for all your electronics projects.

Datasheet for the 74LS95 chips

Download the PDF datasheet for your version of the 74×95 here:

• 74LS95 (Futurlec)
• 74LS95 (Motorola)