3.5 Inch 320x480 TFT LCD Color Touch Screen Shield
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Overview
The DIYables 3.5 Inch TFT LCD Color Touch Screen Shield features a 320×480 pixel resistive touch display driven by the RM68140 (newer shipments) or HX8357D (earlier shipments) controller via an 8-bit parallel interface. A unified library API covers both driver variants — no code changes needed regardless of which version you receive. The shield plugs directly onto Arduino-compatible boards without breadboards or complex wiring. Dimensions: 85mm × 55mm, active area 73mm × 48.96mm.
Quick Overview
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Display Size | 3.5 inches diagonal |
| Resolution | 320 × 480 pixels (HVGA) |
| Display Type | TFT LCD |
| Driver IC | RM68140 (newer) / HX8357D (older) |
| Interface | 8-bit parallel |
| Touch | Resistive |
| Color Depth | 262K colors (18-bit) |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V – 5.5V DC |
| Form Factor | Arduino Shield (28-pin) |
| Dimensions | 85mm × 55mm |
| Active Area | 73mm × 48.96mm |
| Backlight | White LED |
Key Features
Resistive Touch Input
Integrated resistive touch panel with calibration support enables interactive GUI applications.
Dual Driver Support (RM68140 / HX8357D)
One library API handles both driver variants, enabling consistent code across module revisions.
Hardware-Accelerated Graphics (RM68140 version)
4× faster rectangle fill, hardware line drawing, bulk bitmap streaming, and pushColors() API vs. older ILI9488 version.
Plug-and-Play Shield
28-pin connector fits directly on Uno, Mega, Giga, and Due form-factor boards.
Wide Voltage Range
Accepts 3.3V to 5.5V input, compatible with both 3.3V and 5V microcontroller boards.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Display Size | 3.5 inch diagonal |
| Resolution | 320 × 480 pixels |
| Driver IC | RM68140 / HX8357D |
| Interface | 8-bit Parallel |
| Touch | Resistive |
| Color Depth | 262K colors (18-bit) |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V – 5.5V DC |
| Dimensions | 85mm × 55mm |
| Active Area | 73mm × 48.96mm |
| Backlight | White LED |
| Form Factor | 28-pin Arduino Shield |
Compatible Boards
| Board | Support |
|---|---|
| Arduino Uno R3 | Full support |
| Arduino Uno R4 WiFi / Minima | Full support |
| Arduino Mega | Full support |
| Arduino Giga R1 WiFi | Full support |
| Arduino Due | Full support |
| DIYables STEM boards (V3, V4, V4B) | Full support |
| DIYables ESP32 S3 (Uno form) | Full support |
Pin Configuration
| Signal | Arduino Pin |
|---|---|
| D2–D5 | Data bits 2–5 |
| D6–D7 | Data bits 6–7 (shared with Touch X+/Y-) |
| D8–D9 | Data bits 0–1 |
| A0 | LCD Read (RD) |
| A1 | LCD Write (WR) / Touch Y+ |
| A2 | LCD Command/Data (CD) / Touch X- |
| A3 | LCD Chip Select (CS) |
| A4 | LCD Reset (RST) |
| D10–D13 | SD card SPI (optional) |
| A5 | Available for user |
Libraries
Applications
- Interactive home automation panels
- Industrial control interfaces
- Touch-controlled data dashboards
- Gaming displays
- Instrument panels with touch input
- Weather station with touch controls
Equivalent Boards
| Module | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| 3.5" TFT 320x480 Non-Touch Shield | Same size and driver, no touch capability |
| 3.5" TFT for Mega (16-bit parallel) | Mega form factor, 16-bit parallel bus, no touch |
| 2.4" Touch TFT ST7789 | Smaller, SPI interface, resistive touch with SD card |
Beginner Tutorials
Notes
- Both RM68140 and HX8357D variants are covered by the same library — no need to check which version you received.
- Resistive touch requires calibration for accurate coordinate mapping; the library includes calibration utilities.
- Pin A5 is the only shield pin left available for user applications.
- The RM68140 version offers ~4× faster rendering than previous revisions.
Community
Revision History
| Version | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| v1.0 | 2026-06 | Initial entry |