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

 CFAF80160A0-0096TW
Tiny Capacitive Touchscreen Display
  • Part #: CFAF80160A00096TW
  • Size: 18.7mm x 31.9mm x 2.64mm
  • Interfaces: SPI
  • Resolution: 80x160 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Dark
  • Polarizer: Transmissive - IPS
  • Diagonal Dimension: 0.96"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7735S
  • Pin Count: 10
 CFAF80160A0-0096TN
80x160 Small Full-Color TFT Display
  • Part #: CFAF80160A00096TN
  • Size: 13.5mm x 27.85mm x 1.54mm
  • Interfaces: SPI
  • Resolution: 80x160 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Dark
  • Polarizer: Transmissive - IPS
  • Diagonal Dimension: 0.96"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7735S
  • Pin Count: 10
 CFAF128128B1-0145T
128x128 1.45" Full Color TFT LCD Display
  • Part #: CFAF128128B10145T
  • Size: 33.3mm x 38.2mm x 2.8mm
  • Interfaces: SPI
  • Resolution: 128x128 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Dark
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 1.45"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7735S
 CFAF240240A1-013T
[EOL] 240x240 Color TFT LCD Display
  • Part #: CFAF240240A1013T
  • Size: 26mm x 29.15mm x 1.5mm
  • Interfaces: SPI
  • Resolution: 240x240 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Dark
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 1.30"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7789H2
  • Pin Count: 18
 CFAF240320A-032T-CB
CFAF240320A-032T TFT With Carrier Board
  • Part #: CFAF240320A032TCB
  • Size: 57.54mm x 79.3mm x 5.39mm
  • Resolution: 240x320 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Dark
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 3.19"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Orise Tech OTM3225C
 CFAF240320B1-032T-TS-CB
CFAF240320B1-032T-TS TFT With Carrier Board
  • Part #: CFAF240320B1032TTSCB
  • Size: 57.04mm x 78.7mm x 4.2mm
  • Interfaces: 16-bit Parallel, 8-bit Parallel
  • Resolution: 240x320 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Dark
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 3.19"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7789V
 CFAF240320X0-020T
2 inch 240x320 Color TFT
  • Part #: CFAF240320X0020T
  • Size: 35.8mm x 52.1mm x 2.65mm
  • Interfaces: 16-bit Parallel, 18-bit Parallel, 8-bit Parallel, 9-bit Parallel, DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB, SPI
  • Resolution: 240x320 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Dark
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 2.01"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7789V
 CFAF240320X0-020T-E1-1
240x320 Color TFT w/Carrier Board
  • Part #: CFAF240320X0020TE11
  • Size: 35.8mm x 52.1mm x 2.65mm
  • Interfaces: 16-bit Parallel, 18-bit Parallel, 8-bit Parallel, 9-bit Parallel, DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB, SPI
  • Resolution: 240x320 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Dark
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 2.01"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7789V
 CFAF240400A0-E2-1
3" TFT LCD Development Kit
  • Part #: CFAF240400A0E21
  • Size: 45.04mm x 77mm
  • Resolution: 240x400 pixels
  • Diagonal Dimension: 2.98"
 CFAF240400B0-E2-1
240x400 16-Bit TFT LCD with Carrier Board
  • Part #: CFAF240400B0E21
  • Size: 45.04mm x 77mm
  • Resolution: 240x400 pixels
  • Diagonal Dimension: 2.98"
 CFAF240400C0-030SC
3 Inch 240x400 Full-Color IPS Touchscreen Display
  • Part #: CFAF240400C0030SC
  • Size: 45.04mm x 77mm x 3.85mm
  • Interfaces: 16-bit Parallel, 18-bit Parallel, 8-bit Parallel, 9-bit Parallel, DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB, SPI
  • Resolution: 240x400 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Black
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 3.00"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: ILITEK ILI9327
  • Pin Count: 45
 CFAF240400C0-030SC-A1-1
240x400 Touchscreen EVE SPI TFT
  • Part #: CFAF240400C0030SCA11
  • Size: 45.04mm x 77mm x 7.3mm
  • Interfaces: SPI
  • Resolution: 240x400 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Black
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 3.00"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Pin Count: 30
 CFAF320240F-035T-A1-1
320x240 TFT with EVE Accelerator
  • Part #: CFAF320240F035TA11
  • Size: 77.6mm x 64.4mm x 7.95mm
  • Interfaces: SPI
  • Resolution: 320x240 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Black
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 3.45"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Pin Count: 30
 CFAF320240F-035T-CB
CFAF320240F-035T TFT With Carrier Board
  • Part #: CFAF320240F035TCB
  • Size: 77.6mm x 64.4mm x 3.1mm
  • Interfaces: 16-bit Parallel, 18-bit Parallel, 8-bit Parallel, 9-bit Parallel, DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB, SPI
  • Resolution: 320x240 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Dark
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 3.45"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Solomon Systech SSD2119
 CFAF320240F-035T-TS-A1-1
320x240 EVE Accelerated SPI TFT
  • Part #: CFAF320240F035TTSA11
  • Size: 78.1mm x 64.9mm x 9.4mm
  • Interfaces: SPI
  • Resolution: 320x240 pixels
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 3.45"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Pin Count: 30
 CFAF320240F-035T-TS-CB
CFAF320240F-035T-TS TFT With Carrier Board
  • Part #: CFAF320240F035TTSCB
  • Size: 77.6mm x 64.4mm x 4.5mm
  • Interfaces: 16-bit Parallel, 18-bit Parallel, 8-bit Parallel, 9-bit Parallel, DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB, SPI
  • Resolution: 320x240 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Dark
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 3.45"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Solomon Systech SSD2119
 CFAF320480C4-035T
320x480 3.5" Color TFT LCD
  • Part #: CFAF320480C4035T
  • Size: 55.5mm x 84.96mm x 2.5mm
  • Interfaces: 16-bit Parallel, 18-bit Parallel, 8-bit Parallel, 9-bit Parallel, DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB, SPI
  • Resolution: 320x480 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Dark
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 3.47"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Himax HX8357-B
 CFAF320480C5-035T-TS
320x480 3.5" Touch Screen Color TFT
  • Part #: CFAF320480C5035TTS
  • Size: 55.5mm x 84.96mm x 3.75mm
  • Interfaces: 16-bit Parallel, 18-bit Parallel, 8-bit Parallel, 9-bit Parallel, DOT-CLK interface / Generic RGB, SPI
  • Resolution: 320x480 pixels
  • Color: RGB on Dark
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 3.47"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Himax HX8357-B

The Best Graphic LCDs for an Arduino

 CFAG12864U3-NFH
Low Power 128x64 Graphic LCD
  • Part #: CFAG12864U3NFH
  • Size: 56mm x 42.5mm x 1.9mm
  • Interfaces: 8-bit Parallel, SPI
  • Resolution: 128x64 pixels
  • Color: Dark on Light Gray
  • Polarizer: Transflective
  • Diagonal Dimension: 2.23"
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7565P
  • Pin Count: 18
 CFAG12864T3-NFH
Small Transflective Graphic LCD
  • Part #: CFAG12864T3NFH
  • Size: 34mm x 24.22mm x 1.75mm
  • Interfaces: 8-bit Parallel, SPI
  • Resolution: 128x64 pixels
  • Color: Dark on Light Gray
  • Polarizer: Transflective
  • Diagonal Dimension: 1.15"
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7565P
  • Pin Count: 18

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.

 CFAH2004A-TMI-JT
White on Blue 20x4 Character Module
  • Part #: CFAH2004ATMIJT
  • Size: 98mm x 60mm x 13.6mm
  • Interfaces: 4-bit Parallel, 8-bit Parallel
  • Character Count by Lines: 20x4
  • Color: White on Blue
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 2.89"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7066U
  • Pin Count: 16
 CFAH0802A-GGH-JT
Yellow-Green 8x2 Character Module
  • Part #: CFAH0802AGGHJT
  • Size: 58mm x 32mm x 13.2mm
  • Interfaces: 4-bit Parallel, 8-bit Parallel
  • Character Count by Lines: 8x2
  • Color: Dark on Green
  • Polarizer: Transflective
  • Diagonal Dimension: 1.18"
  • Backlight: Green LED
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7066U
  • Pin Count: 14
 CFAH1202A-YYH-JT
Sunlight Readable 12x2 Character LCD
  • Part #: CFAH1202AYYHJT
  • Size: 55.7mm x 32mm x 9.7mm
  • Interfaces: 4-bit Parallel, 8-bit Parallel
  • Character Count by Lines: 12:00x2
  • Color: Dark on Yellow-Green
  • Polarizer: Transflective
  • Diagonal Dimension: 1.56"
  • Backlight: Yellow-Green LED
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7066U
  • Pin Count: 15
 CFAH1602D-TMI-ET
Blue and White 16x2 Character LCD
  • Part #: CFAH1602DTMIET
  • Size: 85mm x 30mm x 13.5mm
  • Interfaces: 4-bit Parallel, 8-bit Parallel
  • Character Count by Lines: 16x2
  • Color: White on Blue
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 2.26"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: Sitronix ST7066U
  • Pin Count: 14
 CFAH2004AP-TFH-EW
20x4 SPI Character LCD Display
  • Part #: CFAH2004APTFHEW
  • Size: 98mm x 60mm x 13.6mm
  • Interfaces: SPI
  • Character Count by Lines: 20x4
  • Color: Dark on Gray
  • Polarizer: Transflective
  • Diagonal Dimension: 2.89"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: RockWorks RW1063-0B-002
  • Pin Count: 16
 CFAH2004AP-TMI-EW
20x4 SPI Character LCD Module
  • Part #: CFAH2004APTMIEW
  • Size: 98mm x 60mm x 13.6mm
  • Interfaces: SPI
  • Character Count by Lines: 20x4
  • Color: White on Blue
  • Polarizer: Transmissive
  • Diagonal Dimension: 2.89"
  • Backlight: White LED
  • Controller: RockWorks RW1063-0B-002