You need to know the motor specifications as well as the controller specification. Once you have that information, check the “Matching the Driver to the Stepper” page to see if they are compatible.

Most motors have torque specifications – usually in inch/ounces or newton/centimeters. One inch/ounce means that the motor can exert a force of one ounce at one inch from the center of the shaft. For example, it could hold up one ounce using a 2″ diameter pulley.

When calculating the torque required for your project, be sure to allow extra torque required for acceleration and to overcome friction. It takes more torque to lift a mass from a dead stop than it does to simply hold it up.

If your project requires a lot of torque and not much speed, consider a geared stepper.

For motors purchased from Adafruit, there are wiring instructions listed in the product descriptions.

For other motors, check the motors spec sheet if available.

If you don’t have a spec sheet, check Jason on reverse engineering the stepper wire pinouts.

First make sure it does not exceed the voltage rating for the motor or the controller.* You can usually run a motor at a lower voltage, although you will get less torque.

Next, check the current rating. Most stepping modes energize two phases at a time, so the current rating should be at least twice the current per phase for your motor.

The selection criteria of a stepper motor include resolution required, drive mechanism component, operating pattern required such as sequencing, accelerationetc. and torque required.