7400 Series Guide: 74HC96/74LS96 (5-bit shift register)

The 74×96 (ex 74LS96) is a cool little chip that has a 5-bit shift register. It has both parallel and serial inputs and outputs.

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 74HC96 / 74LS96 do?

The 74×96 gives you a 5-bit shift register with both parallel and serial inputs and outputs. This means you can preset the shift register with data using the parallel interface, or read out the whole register in one operation. But you can also use it normally with the serial interface.

How To Use This Chip

The 74HC96 comes in a 16-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 74HC96 supports 2V to 6V, while the 74LS96 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.

This can differ between models, so check the datasheet of your model to verify.

74×96 Pinout

The 74×96 has 16 pins and contains 5-bit shift register with asynchronous reset and asynchronous preset

inputs laid out as shown in the pinout diagram below:

Pin Name	Pin #	Type	Description
CLK	1	Input	Clock input for synchronizing data shifts.
P0	2	Input	Parallel data input bit 0.
P1	3	Input	Parallel data input bit 1.
P2	4	Input	Parallel data input bit 2.
VCC	5	Power	Positive power supply. Connect to +5V power.
P3	6	Input	Parallel data input bit 3.
P4	7	Input	Parallel data input bit 4.
PE	8	Input	Parallel Enable; allows parallel data to load into the register when high.
D	9	Input	Serial data input for shifting.
Q4	10	Output	Output bit 4 from the shift register.
Q3	11	Output	Output bit 3 from the shift register.
GND	12	Power	Connect to ground (GND).
Q2	13	Output	Output bit 2 from the shift register.
Q1	14	Output	Output bit 1 from the shift register.
Q0	15	Output	Output bit 0 from the shift register, least significant bit.
RST	16	Input	Reset input (active low), clears all outputs.

Alternatives and Equivalents for 74HC96 / 74LS96

There are many versions of the 74×96 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:

• 74HC96 (High-speed CMOS)
• 74HCT96 (High-speed CMOS, TTL compatible)
• 74LS96 (High-speed TTL)
• 74LVC96 (Low Voltage TTL)
• 74AC96 (Advanced CMOS)
• 74ALS96 (Advanced Low-Power Schottky TTL)
• 74F96 (Very High Speed)
• 74C96 (CMOS, similar to the 4000-series)

Some manufacturers also add a prefix, such as the SN74LS96 by Texas Instruments.

Can’t find the 74×96 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.
• 74×95 – 4-bit shift register, parallel in, parallel out, serial input.
• 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 74×96 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 74LS96 and 74HC96 chips

Download the PDF datasheet for your version of the 74×96 here:

• 74LS96 (Signetics)
• SN74LS96 (Texas Instruments)