# Accessing gpio pins with pico inky pack **URL:** \ **Category:** Support\ **Created:** [January 14, 2024, 12:53am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/accessing-gpio-pins-with-pico-inky-pack/23846 "2024-01-14T00:53:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tiagoams](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/tiagoams/32/10495_2.png) [@tiagoams](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/tiagoams)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 12:53am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/accessing-gpio-pins-with-pico-inky-pack/23846/1 "2024-01-14T00:53:37Z")
Hi, The pico inky pack comes as an add-on board so that all of the pico’s headers are slotted into it. What is the best way of accessing unused GPIO pins? I have added ic2 sensors and prototyped it with a breadboard but now want to pack it with soldered wiring or conectors. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 11:20am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/accessing-gpio-pins-with-pico-inky-pack/23846/2 "2024-01-14T11:20:22Z")
There is this, [Pico Proto (pimoroni.com)](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/pico-proto?variant=32369530110035) or maybe [Pico Proto PCB (pimoroni.com)](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/pico-proto-pcb?variant=39795939737683) ---
**Author:** ![ahnlak](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/ahnlak/32/5610_2.png) [@ahnlak](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/ahnlak)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 12:05pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/accessing-gpio-pins-with-pico-inky-pack/23846/3 "2024-01-14T12:05:10Z")
Or even [Pico Stacking Header Pack](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/pico-stacking-headers) ---
**Author:** ![tiagoams](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/tiagoams/32/10495_2.png) [@tiagoams](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/tiagoams)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 10:28pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/accessing-gpio-pins-with-pico-inky-pack/23846/4 "2024-01-14T22:28:55Z")
Thanks both! Alphanumeric, are you suggesting to fit the proto in between a pico with headers and the inky add-on, or to connect to the inky female headers in a different way? Ahnlak, very useful, thanks. Tiago ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 10:22am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/accessing-gpio-pins-with-pico-inky-pack/23846/5 "2024-01-15T10:22:31Z")
I usually go between, using the headers @ahnlak linked too. From front to back. Inky Pack F M Pico Proto F M Pico ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2024, 10:25am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/accessing-gpio-pins-with-pico-inky-pack/23846/6 "2024-01-15T10:25:52Z")
This might work for you, out of stock here at the moment. > **[Adafruit PiCowbell Proto for Pico - Reset Button & STEMMA QT](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/adafruit-picowbell-proto-for-pico-reset-button-stemma-qt?variant=40411496087635)** > > Ding dong! Hear that? It's the PiCowbell ringing, letting you know that the new Adafruit PiCowbell Proto is finally in stock and ready to assist your Raspberry Pi Pico and Pico W project with handy hardware and practical prototyping. ---
**Author:** ![tiagoams](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/tiagoams/32/10495_2.png) [@tiagoams](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/tiagoams)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 10:41pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/accessing-gpio-pins-with-pico-inky-pack/23846/7 "2024-01-18T22:41:25Z")
These header pins are too long for the low profile female headers on the inky pack, leaving several mm exposed. Whould the pins on these female headers below be long enough? > **[Female Headers](https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/female-headers?variant=7351199169)** > > A single row of 40 female headers which can easily be cut down to any size you need! ---
**Author:** ![tiagoams](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/tiagoams/32/10495_2.png) [@tiagoams](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/tiagoams)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 10:46am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/accessing-gpio-pins-with-pico-inky-pack/23846/8 "2024-01-20T10:46:44Z")
![20240120_103700](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/pimoroni/original/2X/b/ba4df77c67c387e991c4fd6417f79e8bc9a856a3.jpeg) This is the ugly spacing I am talking about. Can anyone please point me in the direction of stackable headers that can fit the low profile female header on the inky pack? ---
**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 12:39pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/accessing-gpio-pins-with-pico-inky-pack/23846/9 "2024-01-20T12:39:16Z")
One option is to cut them / trim them down so they are shorter. I’ve done it with my Dremel Tool and a cutting disk. ---
**Author:** ![tiagoams](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/tiagoams/32/10495_2.png) [@tiagoams](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/tiagoams)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2024, 4:40pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/accessing-gpio-pins-with-pico-inky-pack/23846/10 "2024-01-20T16:40:07Z")
OK, thanks, I will try that.