Summary of Getting your Nokia 5110 LCD up and running on an Arduino
This article discusses using a low-cost 84×84 Nokia 5110 LCD backlit display with an Arduino. It highlights the affordability and specifications of the screen, including its PCD8544 controller and blue backlight. The project requires specific libraries from Adafruit, which need folder name adjustments for Arduino IDE compatibility. Connection instructions involve wiring the LCD to the Arduino using a breadboard and the Adafruit example code, enabling features like text display and animations on the screen.
Parts used in the Nokia 5110 LCD with Arduino Project:
- Arduino
- Nokia 5110 LCD Display Module
- Adafruit Graphics Library
- Adafruit PCD8544 Library
- Breadboard (optional, for wiring)
We purchased one of these very cheap, very cool 84×84 LCD backlit screens off of eBay a couple of weeks ago.
It’s a very nice product for adding visual elements to your projects at a very low price. We paid £3.89 for the screen and it was delivered a few days later.
Take a look below for connection instructions and example code from Adafruit on how to get this up and running with your Arduino.
So What do I need?
- An Arduino
- Nokia 5110 LCD Display Module
- Adafruit Graphics Library
- Adafruit PCD8544 Library
LCD Specifications
- Controller: PCD8544
- Supply: 2.7V to 3.3V
- Interface levels: 2.7V to 5V
- Backlight Colour: Blue
- Backlight supply: 3.3V Max
- Module size: W 43.6mm x H 43.1mm
- Working current: < 200uA (Backlight off)
Notice that the module only needs 3.3v from the Arduino. More information can be found on the Datasheet located here.
Download the above libraries and rename the dash ( – ) to an underscore ( _ ) in the folder names so that the Arduino IDE can load the library correctly; you’ll know if you haven’t done this as the IDE will show a popup message saying it can’t load the library.
Once you have done that; you’re all ready to hook up the LCD to the Arduino, we used a small cheap breadboard for this task as the LCD module came with male pins already attached. As we are using the Adafruit example to get you up and running connect the Pins as follows, example code to come:
That should be everything you need to connect up. The BL is the back light for the LCD module and it is a optional connection.
Once you have everything wired up; fire up the Arduino IDE and load the Adafruit Example Sketch. I’ve posted it below for reference. There are various features such as displaying text, font-sizes, bitmaps and even making basic animations on the LCD.
For more detail: Getting your Nokia 5110 LCD up and running on an Arduino
