# 1.77" SPI TFT Display (128x160)

> Color 1.77-inch TFT LCD display module with 128x160 pixel resolution and ST7735 driver. SPI interface for fast refresh rates, capable of displaying full-color graphics, images, and UI elements.

## Quick Facts

- **Brand:** OpenELAB
- **Board Type:** display-module
- **Price:** ~$8.49
- **Product Readiness:** developer
- **CPU:** None (passive display module)
- **RAM:** None
- **Flash:** none
- **Power:** 3.3V-5V via header pins
- **Operating Voltage:** 3.3V-5V
- **Display:** 1.77" TFT LCD 128x160

## Open Source

- **Firmware:** No
- **Schematics:** Yes
- **PCB Layout:** No

## Use Cases

- embedded-ui
- iot-prototyping
- data-display
- weather-station
- sensor-readout

## Components

- **ST7735** (display-driver): 262K-color TFT LCD single-chip controller/driver with 132x162 resolution, SPI interface, and built-in voltage generator — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.displayfuture.com%2FDisplay%2Fdatasheet%2Fcontroller%2FST7735.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tft-177-inch-spi-display&source=md-export)

## Protocols

- **SPI**

## Description

## Overview

The 1.77" SPI TFT Display is a color LCD module with 128x160 pixel resolution, driven by the ST7735 controller. Unlike monochrome OLED modules, this TFT display supports 65K colors (RGB565), enabling full-color graphics, images, and rich user interfaces. It communicates over the SPI bus for fast data transfer.

## Key Features

- **Full color display** — 65K colors (16-bit RGB565) for graphics and images
- **ST7735 driver** — widely supported color TFT controller
- **SPI interface** — fast data transfer for smooth screen updates
- **128x160 resolution** — suitable for color UI elements and small images
- **Backlit LCD** — readable in various lighting conditions with LED backlight

## Typical Applications

- Color dashboards for IoT projects
- Mini photo frames and image viewers
- Game consoles and retro gaming displays
- Graphical menu systems
- Color data visualization (charts, gauges)
- Camera viewfinders and preview screens

## Pinout

| Pin | Function |
|-----|----------|
| VCC | 3.3V–5V Power |
| GND | Ground |
| CS | Chip Select |
| RESET | Reset |
| A0/DC | Data/Command |
| SDA | SPI MOSI (Data) |
| SCK | SPI Clock |
| LED | Backlight (3.3V) |

## Library Support

- **Arduino**: Adafruit ST7735, TFT_eSPI, LGFX
- **ESP-IDF**: SPI master driver with ST7735 support
- **MicroPython**: st7735 driver module
- **Raspberry Pi**: Adafruit Blinka + ST7735 library

## SPI vs I2C

This display uses SPI rather than I2C, which provides significantly faster data transfer — important for color displays that need to push 16 bits per pixel. The tradeoff is more wiring (6-8 pins vs 4), but the performance gain is essential for smooth color graphics.

## Where to Buy

- [OpenELAB](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fopenelab.io%2Fproducts%2F177inchspitftdisplay&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tft-177-inch-spi-display&source=md-export) — $8.49

## Resources

- [product](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fopenelab.io%2Fproducts%2F177inchspitftdisplay&ref=openhardware.directory&product=tft-177-inch-spi-display&source=md-export)

## Tags

`tft`, `display`, `spi`, `st7735`, `128x160`, `color`, `lcd`

## Images

![1.77" SPI TFT Display (128x160)](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/tft-177-inch-spi-display/6b7e632af7b5.jpg)

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