Arduino LCDs

While in theory an Arduino can run any LCD, we believe that some LCDs are particularly suited to being an Arduino LCD display. We've currated this list of LCD displays that will make any Arduino-based project shine.

There are a few factors that make these LCD screens best for an Arduino.

First is the interface. All of these displays support SPI. Builders often ask themselves (or us) "which interface uses the fewest GPIO pins? AND is that interface fast enough to update the screen at an acceptable rate for my application?" When using the relatively small procesor of the Arduino, SPI is usually the best interface because it takes few wires (either 3 or 4) however it does limit the overall size (number of pixels) that can be quickly controlled. I2C is another choice of interface to leave GPIOs open. We tend to recommend SPI over I2C for Arduino displays because SPI is quicker and better at handling more complex data transfer, like pulling image data from an SD card.

Which brings us to the second factor in choosing an Arduino display: the number of pixels. We typically recommend a display with a resolution of 320x240 or less for use with Arduino. Take for example a 320x240 24-bit display. Such a display takes 230,400 bytes *(8 + 2) = 2,304,000 bits for a single frame. Divide that by 8,000,000 (Arduino SPI speed of 8MHZ) = 0.288 seconds per frame or 3.5 frames per second. 3.5 fps is fast enough for many applications, but is not particularly quick. Using fewer bits-per-pixel or a display with fewer pixels will result in higher frame rates. Use the calculator below to calculate the frame rate for a display using SPI with an Arduino.

Third, we want to recommend displays that are easy to connect to an Arduino. Each of these displays has a ZIF tail or easily solderable throughholes, so no fine pitch soldering is needed. These displays can either be brought up on the CFA10102 generic breakout board, or with a custom CFA breakout board.

Finally, we selected displays where the high panel voltage can either be supplied by the Arduino itself or by a compatible breakout board.

Arduino / SPI Frame Rate Calculator

Estimate the maximum SPI frame rate of a display by using this calculator.

SPI clock speed: Mhz (Arduino UNOs are 8Mhz)
Resolution: * = # of pixels

Monochrome Display: Bytes = # of pixels / 8
Grayscale: Bytes = # of pixels
TFT (16-bit): Bytes = # of pixels * 2
TFT (24-bit): Bytes = # of pixels * 3
Bytes * 10 = bits (assuming 20 % overhead)



The Best TFT Displays for an Arduino

128x128 1.45" Full Color TFT LCD Display CFAF128128B1-0145T
128x128 1.45" Full Color TFT LCD Display
Part#: CFAF128128B1-0145T
Diagonal Dimension: 1.45"
Interface(s): SPI
Colors: RGB on Dark
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 128x128
Price Range: $6.72 - $9.21

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240x240 Color TFT LCD Display CFAF240240A3-013TN
240x240 Color TFT LCD Display
Part#: CFAF240240A3-013TN
Diagonal Dimension: 1.3"
Interface(s): SPI
Colors: RGB on Black
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 240x240
Price Range: $9.80 - $13.80

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CFAF240320A-032T TFT With Carrier Board CFAF240320A-032T-CB
CFAF240320A-032T TFT With Carrier Board
Part#: CFAF240320A-032T-CB
Diagonal Dimension: 3.19"
Colors: RGB on Dark
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 240x320
Price Range: $41.87 - $46.41

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CFAF240320B1-032T-TS TFT With Carrier Board CFAF240320B1-032T-TS-CB
CFAF240320B1-032T-TS TFT With Carrier Board
Part#: CFAF240320B1-032T-TS-CB
Diagonal Dimension: 3.19"
Interface(s): 16-bit Parallel,8-bit Parallel
Colors: RGB on Dark
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 240x320
Price Range: $52.26 - $84.54

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2 inch 240x320 Color TFT CFAF240320X0-020T
2 inch 240x320 Color TFT
Part#: CFAF240320X0-020T
Diagonal Dimension: 2.01"
Interface(s): 16-bit Parallel,18-bit Parallel,8-bit Parallel,9-bit Parallel,DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB,SPI
Colors: RGB on Dark
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 240x320
Price Range: $9.94 - $17.09

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240x320 Color TFT w/Carrier Board CFAF240320X0-020T-E1-1
240x320 Color TFT w/Carrier Board
Part#: CFAF240320X0-020T-E1-1
Diagonal Dimension: 2.01"
Interface(s): 16-bit Parallel,18-bit Parallel,8-bit Parallel,9-bit Parallel,DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB,SPI
Colors: RGB on Dark
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 240x320
Price Range: $19.63 - $30.83

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3" TFT LCD Development Kit CFAF240400A0-E2-1
3" TFT LCD Development Kit
Part#: CFAF240400A0-E2-1
Diagonal Dimension: 2.98"
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 240x400
Price Range: $32.40 - $42.06

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240x400 16-Bit TFT LCD with Carrier Board CFAF240400B0-E2-1
240x400 16-Bit TFT LCD with Carrier Board
Part#: CFAF240400B0-E2-1
Diagonal Dimension: 2.98"
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 240x400
Price Range: $32.40 - $42.06

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240x400 3-inch Capacitive Touchscreen TFT Display CFAF240400C1-030TC
240x400 3-inch Capacitive Touchscreen TFT Display
Part#: CFAF240400C1-030TC
Diagonal Dimension: 3"
Interface(s): 16-bit Parallel,18-bit Parallel,8-bit Parallel,9-bit Parallel,DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB,SPI
Colors: RGB on Dark
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 240x400
Price Range: $50.60 - $94.70

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240x400 Capacitive Touchscreen EVE TFT Display CFA240400E1-030TC
240x400 Capacitive Touchscreen EVE TFT Display
Part#: CFA240400E1-030TC
Diagonal Dimension: 3"
Interface(s): SPI
Colors: RGB on Dark
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 240x400
Price Range: $83.25 - $114.80

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3" 240x400 Full-Color TFT Display CFAF240400E0-030TN
3" 240x400 Full-Color TFT Display
Part#: CFAF240400E0-030TN
Diagonal Dimension: 2.98"
Interface(s): 16-bit Parallel,18-bit Parallel,8-bit Parallel,9-bit Parallel,DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB,SPI
Colors: RGB on Black
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 240x400
Price Range: $17.01 - $23.66

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320x240 TFT with EVE Accelerator CFAF320240F-035T-A1-1
320x240 TFT with EVE Accelerator
Part#: CFAF320240F-035T-A1-1
Diagonal Dimension: 3.45"
Interface(s): SPI
Colors: RGB on Black
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 320x240
Price Range: $74.09 - $91.38

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CFAF320240F-035T TFT With Carrier Board CFAF320240F-035T-CB
CFAF320240F-035T TFT With Carrier Board
Part#: CFAF320240F-035T-CB
Diagonal Dimension: 3.45"
Interface(s): 16-bit Parallel,18-bit Parallel,8-bit Parallel,9-bit Parallel,DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB,SPI
Colors: RGB on Dark
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 320x240
Price Range: $39.17 - $63.33

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320x240 EVE Touchscreen TFT Display CFAF320240F-035T-TS-A1-1
320x240 EVE Touchscreen TFT Display
Part#: CFAF320240F-035T-TS-A1-1
Diagonal Dimension: 3.45"
Interface(s): SPI
Colors: RGB on Black
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 320x240
Price Range: $68.06 - $83.94

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CFAF320240F-035T-TS TFT With Carrier Board CFAF320240F-035T-TS-CB
CFAF320240F-035T-TS TFT With Carrier Board
Part#: CFAF320240F-035T-TS-CB
Diagonal Dimension: 3.45"
Interface(s): 16-bit Parallel,18-bit Parallel,8-bit Parallel,9-bit Parallel,DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB,SPI
Colors: RGB on Dark
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 320x240
Price Range: $57.45 - $79.22

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The Best Graphic LCDs for an Arduino

Low Power 128x64 Graphic LCD CFAG12864U3-NFH
Low Power 128x64 Graphic LCD
Part#: CFAG12864U3-NFH
Diagonal Dimension: 2.23"
Interface(s): 8-bit Parallel,SPI
Colors: Dark on Light Gray
Sunlight Readable: Yes
Resolution: 128x64
Price Range: $8.39 - $12.99

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Small Transflective Graphic LCD CFAG12864T3-NFH
Small Transflective Graphic LCD
Part#: CFAG12864T3-NFH
Diagonal Dimension: 1.15"
Interface(s): 8-bit Parallel,SPI
Colors: Dark on Light Gray
Sunlight Readable: Yes
Resolution: 128x64
Price Range: $5.37 - $8.35

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2.2" Graphic Transparent LCD Display CFAG12864U4-NFI
2.2" Graphic Transparent LCD Display
Part#: CFAG12864U4-NFI
Diagonal Dimension: 2.2"
Interface(s): 8-bit Parallel,SPI
Colors: Dark on Transparent
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 128x64
Price Range: $8.62 - $13.02

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1.1" Graphic Transparent LCD Display CFAG12864T4-NFI
1.1" Graphic Transparent LCD Display
Part#: CFAG12864T4-NFI
Diagonal Dimension: 1.1"
Interface(s): 8-bit Parallel,SPI
Colors: Dark on Transparent
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: 128x64
Price Range: $5.40 - $8.34

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The Best Character LCDs for an Arduino

Most character displays can be run via Parallel connection to an Arduino. You'll want to make sure you can supply enough current to operate the backlight.

White on Blue 20x4 Character Module CFAH2004A-TMI-JT
White on Blue 20x4 Character Module
Part#: CFAH2004A-TMI-JT
Diagonal Dimension: 2.89"
Interface(s): 4-bit Parallel,8-bit Parallel
Colors: White on Blue
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: N/A
Price Range: $13.05 - $20.23

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Yellow-Green 8x2 Character Module CFAH0802A-GGH-JT
Yellow-Green 8x2 Character Module
Part#: CFAH0802A-GGH-JT
Diagonal Dimension: 1.18"
Interface(s): 4-bit Parallel,8-bit Parallel
Colors: Dark on Green
Sunlight Readable: Yes
Resolution: N/A
Price Range: $5.35 - $8.29

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Sunlight Readable 12x2 Character LCD CFAH1202A-YYH-JT
Sunlight Readable 12x2 Character LCD
Part#: CFAH1202A-YYH-JT
Diagonal Dimension: 1.56"
Interface(s): 4-bit Parallel,8-bit Parallel
Colors: Dark on Yellow-Green
Sunlight Readable: Yes
Resolution: N/A
Price Range: $5.91 - $9.13

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Blue and White 16x2 Character LCD CFAH1602D-TMI-ET
Blue and White 16x2 Character LCD
Part#: CFAH1602D-TMI-ET
Diagonal Dimension: 2.26"
Interface(s): 4-bit Parallel,8-bit Parallel
Colors: White on Blue
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: N/A
Price Range: $5.63 - $8.72

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20x4 SPI Character LCD Display CFAH2004AP-TFH-EW
20x4 SPI Character LCD Display
Part#: CFAH2004AP-TFH-EW
Diagonal Dimension: 2.89"
Interface(s): SPI
Colors: Dark on Gray
Sunlight Readable: Yes
Resolution: N/A
Price Range: $16.74 - $25.84

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20x4 SPI Character LCD Module CFAH2004AP-TMI-EW
20x4 SPI Character LCD Module
Part#: CFAH2004AP-TMI-EW
Diagonal Dimension: 2.89"
Interface(s): SPI
Colors: White on Blue
Sunlight Readable: No
Resolution: N/A
Price Range: $15.35 - $23.81

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