ARM Cortex-M Series Processors

Optimized for cost and power sensitive MCU and mixed-signal devices for applications such as Internet of Things, connectivity, motor control, smart metering, human interface devices, automotive and industrial control systems, domestic household appliances, consumer products and medical instrumentation. 

For a comprehensive list of Cortex-M documentation and resources, please visit Joseph Yiu's blog.

 

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  • Cortex-M33
    The ARM Cortex-M33 processor is the first feature rich implementation of the ARMv8-M architecture.
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  • Cortex-M23
    The Cortex-M23 processor is the smallest and most energy efficient implementation of the ARMv8-M architecture.
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  • Cortex-M7
    The Cortex-M7 is ARM’s highest-performing Cortex-M processor. It combines a six-stage, superscalar pipeline with flexible system and memory interfaces including AXI, AHB, caches and tightly-coupled memories, and delivers high integer, floating point and DSP performance in an MCU. Ideal for a wide variety of application areas including automotive, industrial automation, medical devices, high-end audio, image and voice processing, sensor fusion, advanced motor control and in the deployment of the Internet of Things (IoT).
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  • Cortex-M4
    The Cortex-M4 is a high performance embedded processor developed to address digital signal control markets. The combination of high-efficiency signal processing functionality with the low-power, low cost and ease-of-use benefits of the Cortex-M family of processors is designed to satisfy the emerging category of flexible solutions specifically targeting the motor control, automotive, power management, embedded audio and industrial automation markets.
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  • Cortex-M3
    The ARM Cortex-M3 processor is the industry-leading 32-bit processor for highly deterministic real-time applications, specifically developed to enable partners to develop high-performance low-cost platforms for a broad range of devices including microcontrollers, automotive body systems, industrial control systems and wireless networking and sensors. The processor delivers outstanding computational performance and exceptional system response to events while meeting the challenges of low dynamic and static power constraints. The processor is highly configurable enabling a wide range of implementations from those requiring memory protection and powerful trace technology to cost sensitive devices requiring minimal area.
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  • Cortex-M0+
    The Cortex-M0+ processor is the most energy-efficient ARM processor available. It builds on the very successful Cortex-M0 processor, retaining full instruction set and tool compatibility, while further reducing energy consumption and increasing performance. The Cortex-M0+ processor comes with a wide selection of options to provide flexible development.
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  • Cortex-M0
    The ARM Cortex-M0 processor is the smallest ARM processor available. The exceptionally small silicon area, low power and minimal code footprint of the processor enables developers to achieve 32-bit performance at an 8-bit price point, bypassing the step to 16-bit devices. The ultra-low gate count of the Cortex-M0 processor also enables its deployment in analog and mixed signal devices. Available in a low-cost, easy-to-access package.
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  • ARM DesignStart
    Design and produce an SoC with the widely-deployed Cortex-M0 and Cortex-M3 processors with no upfront license fee
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Cortex-M Series Comparison

Cortex-M0

Cortex-M0+

Cortex-M3

Cortex-M4

Cortex-M7

Cortex-M23

Cortex-M33

Instruction set architecture

ARMv6-M
Thumb, Thumb-2

ARMv6-M
Thumb, Thumb-2

ARMv7-M
Thumb, Thumb-2

ARMv7-M
Thumb, Thumb-2,
DSP, FP (SP)

ARMv7-M
Thumb, Thumb-2,
DSP, FP (1. SP or 2. SP+DP)

 ARMv8-M baseline
Thumb, Thumb-2
 ARMv8-M mainline
Thumb, Thumb-2,
DSP, FP (SP)

DMIPS/MHz range*

0.87-1.27

0.95-1.36

1.25-1.89

1.25-1.95

2.14-3.23

0.98-in progress

1.50-in progress

CoreMark®/MHz**

2.33

2.46

3.34

3.42

5.01

2.50

3.86

Memory Protection Unit (MPU)

No

Yes (option)

Yes (option)

Yes (option)

Yes (option)

Yes (option)(2 x)

Yes (option)(2 x)

Trace (ETM or MTB)

No

MTB (option)

ETMv3 (option)

ETMv3 (option)

ETMv4 (option)

MTB (option) or ETMv3

MTB (option) and/or ETMv4
DSP No No No Yes Yes No Yes (option)

Floating point hardware

No

No

No

Yes (option SP)

Yes (option) 1. SP or 2. SP+DP

No

Yes (option)

Systick Timer

Yes (option)

Yes (option)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes (2 x)

Yes (2 x)

CMSIS Support

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Built-in caches

No

No

No

No

Yes (option 4-64kB I- and D-cache)

No

No

Tightly-coupled memory

No

No

No

No

Yes (option 0-16MB I-TCM/D-TCM)

No

No

TrustZone for ARMv8-M

No

No

No

No 

No 

Yes (option)

Yes (option) 

Co-processor interface

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Yes (option)

*The lower result abides by all of the “ground rules” laid out in the Dhrystone documentation  while the upper bound additionally permits simultaneous (”multi-file”) compilation.
**Cortex-M23 and Cortex-M33 results are preliminary. The others are published on the EEMBC website.