Pololu
16x2 Character LCD (Parallel Interface)
A compact 16×2 character LCD module using the standard HD44780 parallel interface. This display packs 32 characters into an outline smaller than most two-lin...
A compact 16×2 character LCD module using the standard HD44780 parallel interface. This display packs 32 characters into an outline smaller than most two-line displays, making it a space-efficient choice for projects with limited panel area.
This unit operates without a backlight, keeping power consumption low. It uses the widely supported HD44780 controller, so it works out of the box with the Arduino LiquidCrystal library and other common LCD libraries.
Key Features
- 16×2 Character Display – Two rows of 16 characters each
- Compact Form Factor – Smaller outline than most standard 16×2 LCDs
- HD44780 Parallel Interface – Compatible with 4-bit and 8-bit data modes
- No Backlight – Lower power consumption, suitable for well-lit environments
- 5V Operation – Standard logic voltage for Arduino and most microcontrollers
- Adjustable Contrast – Via the V0 pin with a potentiometer
Ideal For
- Space-constrained projects needing a text display
- Low-power microcontroller applications
- Displaying sensor data, menus, and status messages
- Learning electronics with the widely documented HD44780 interface
Package Contents
- 1× 16×2 Character LCD Module (no backlight)
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- Headers
- Rows of metal pins used to plug a module into a breadboard or connect it with jumper wires. Pre-soldered headers make the module easier to use straight away without needing to solder the pins yourself.
- LCD
- LCD stands for liquid crystal display, a screen technology that uses a backlight and liquid crystals to show images or text. It matters because LCD modules usually need a display driver and enough controller pins or a bus interface to send image data.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that runs your program and controls connected inputs and outputs. For this product, it is the part that reads buttons and sensors, drives the display and speaker, and communicates over Bluetooth.
- parallel interface
- A parallel interface sends several bits of data at the same time using multiple wires. It can be faster than simple serial connections, but it uses more microcontroller pins, so it is less convenient for small projects with limited wiring space.
- potentiometer
- A variable resistor usually turned with a knob or shaft to create an adjustable electrical signal. It is often used for inputs such as volume, brightness or position, so it helps beginners learn how a microcontroller reads changing values.
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Displays & Screens
Related Tutorials
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