ST7789 1.3" IPS TFT Display
Compact 240×240 IPS display with vivid colours and wide viewing angles.
The ST7789 1.3‑inch IPS TFT display is a compact, high‑density colour screen that delivers vibrant visuals with 240×240 resolution and 65K colours. The IPS (In‑Plane Switching) panel technology provides excellent colour reproduction and viewing angles of up to 80° in all directions, making it ideal for wearable devices, handheld gadgets, dashboards, and compact GUIs.
The display is built around the ST7789 driver chip, which includes a built‑in frame buffer and supports 4‑wire SPI communication. Many modules include a microSD card slot for loading full‑colour bitmaps from FAT16/FAT32 formatted cards.
The module operates at 3.3V logic levels. Some variants (like Adafruit's breakout) include an onboard 3.3V regulator and 3/5V level shifter, making them compatible with both 3.3V and 5V microcontrollers. Always check your specific module's voltage tolerance before connecting.
Note: This entry covers the standard SPI version of the display, which is the most widely available. It also includes optional touch support if your module includes a resistive touch controller (often XPT2046).
Specifications
| Resolution | 240 × 240 pixels |
| Color depth | 65K colours (RGB 16‑bit 565) |
| Display technology | IPS (In‑Plane Switching) |
| Viewing angle | ~80° all directions |
| Interface | 4‑wire SPI |
| Operating voltage | 3.3V (some boards accept 5V with level shifter) |
| Logic voltage | 3.3V |
| Backlight | 3 white LEDs, controlled via PWM |
| Active area | 23.4 × 23.4 mm |
| Module dimensions | ~32 × 28 mm |
| Extra features | microSD card slot (optional) |
| Operating temperature | -20°C to 60°C |
Pinout
| Pin | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VCC | Power — 3.3V (or 5V if board has level shifter) |
| 2 | GND | Ground |
| 3 | CS | SPI chip select (active low) |
| 4 | RESET | Hardware reset, active low |
| 5 | DC | Data/Command select — high for data, low for command |
| 6 | SDI (MOSI) | SPI data in (Master Out Slave In) |
| 7 | SCK | SPI clock |
| 8 | LED | Backlight control — PWM for brightness, or tie high |
| 9 | SDO (MISO) | SPI data out (optional, for reading) |
| 10 | T_CS | Touch chip select (if touch present, XPT2046) |
| 11 | T_IRQ | Touch interrupt (optional) |
Critical usage notes:
- SPI speed: The ST7789 supports SPI clock rates up to 80 MHz, but many microcontrollers top out at 40 MHz. Start with a lower speed (e.g., 10 MHz) if you encounter glitches.
- Backlight: The LED pin can be connected to 3.3V for always‑on, or to a PWM pin for brightness control. Some modules have a dedicated backlight enable pin.
- Voltage: Unless your board has a level shifter, do not apply 5V to logic pins — it will damage the display. The 3.3V supply must be stable; a 100 µF capacitor near the module is recommended.
- SPI MISO: Some modules omit the MISO pin; if your library tries to read from the display, you may need to set
-1as the MISO pin in the constructor or use a software SPI fallback. - IPS advantages: The IPS panel gives consistent colours even when viewed at extreme angles, perfect for wearable screens where the device may be tilted.
- SD card: If your module has an SD slot, it typically uses a separate CS pin (often Pin 4 on Arduino) and shares the same SPI lines.
Variants
Choose the standard SPI version for most projects; add touch if you need user interaction. The Adafruit breakout is convenient for breadboard prototyping with its Qwiic/STEMMA connector and built‑in regulator.
| Variant | Temp range | Hum range | Accuracy | Protocol | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard SPI (no touch) | ~$8-12 | ||||
| SPI with resistive touch | ~$12-16 | ||||
| Adafruit 1.3" IPS Breakout | ~$15 |