---
layout: component
title: "MQTT binary sensor"
description: "Instructions how to integrate MQTT binary sensors within Home Assistant."
date: 2015-05-30 23:21
sidebar: true
comments: false
sharing: true
footer: true
logo: mqtt.png
ha_category: Binary Sensor
---


This `mqtt` binary sensor implementation uses the MQTT message payload as the sensor value. If messages in this state_topic are published with *RETAIN* flag, the sensor will receive an instant update with the last known value. Otherwise, the initial state will be off.

To use your MQTT binary sensor in your installation, add the following to your `configuration.yaml` file:

```yaml
# Example configuration.yml entry
binary_sensor:
  platform: mqtt
  state_topic: "home-assistant/window/contact"
  name: "MQTT Sensor"
  qos: 0
  payload_on: "ON"
  payload_of: "OFF"
  value_template: '{% raw %}{{ value.x }}{% endraw %}'
```

Configuration variables:

- **state_topic** (*Required*): The MQTT topic subscribed to receive sensor values.
- **name** (*Optional*): The name of the sensor. Default is 'MQTT Sensor'. 
- **qos** (*Optional*): The maximum QoS level of the state topic. Default is 0.
- **payload_on** (*Optional*): The payload that represents on state. Default is "ON".
- **payload_off** (*Optional*): The payload that represents  state. Default is "OFF".
- **value_template** (*Optional*): Defines a [template](/getting-started/templating/) to extract a value from the payload.

For a quick check you can use the commandline tools shipped with `mosquitto` to send MQTT messages. Set the state of your sensor manually:

```bash
$  mosquitto_pub -h 127.0.0.1 -t home-assistant/window/contact -m "OFF"
```

