3.5-Inch TFT LCD Color Display for Arduino Mega
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Overview
The DIYables 3.5-Inch TFT LCD Color Display for Arduino Mega delivers 320×480 pixel HD resolution with 65K colors (RGB565) in a Mega-compatible shield form factor. The ILI9486 driver uses a fast 16-bit parallel interface for rapid frame updates, and an onboard level shifting IC ensures compatibility with both 5V and 3.3V logic without external components. An integrated SD card slot supports image storage and data logging. Dimensions: 85mm × 54mm × 15mm, active area 48.96mm × 73.44mm.
Quick Overview
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Display Size | 3.5 inches diagonal |
| Resolution | 320 × 480 pixels |
| Display Type | TFT LCD |
| Driver IC | ILI9486 |
| Interface | 16-bit parallel |
| Color Depth | 65K colors (RGB565) |
| Operating Voltage | 5V DC (3.3V logic compatible) |
| Backlight Current | ~100 mA typical |
| Viewing Angle | 140° |
| SD Card Slot | Yes (integrated) |
| Active Area | 48.96mm × 73.44mm |
| PCB Dimensions | 85mm × 54mm × 15mm |
| Form Factor | Arduino Mega shield |
Key Features
16-Bit Parallel Interface
Twice the data bus width of 8-bit variants — delivers faster frame rates and smoother animations.
Onboard 5V/3.3V Level Shifting
Built-in level shifter IC handles logic level conversion internally; no external components needed.
Integrated SD Card Slot
SD card slot shares the parallel data bus; access images, fonts, and log data directly.
ILI9486 Driver
Supported by Adafruit GFX, TFTLCD-Library, and other popular graphics libraries.
High-Brightness Backlight
~100 mA LED backlight with adjustable control for bright, readable display.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Display Size | 3.5 inch |
| Resolution | 320 × 480 pixels |
| Driver IC | ILI9486 |
| Interface | 16-bit parallel |
| Color Depth | 65K colors (RGB565) |
| Operating Voltage | 5V DC |
| Logic Level Shifting | Onboard IC (auto) |
| Backlight Current | ~100 mA (typical) |
| Viewing Angle | 140° (H and V) |
| Operating Temperature | −20°C to 60°C |
| Storage Temperature | −30°C to 70°C |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.11mm × 0.11mm |
| Active Area | 48.96mm × 73.44mm |
| PCB Dimensions | 85mm × 54mm × 15mm |
| SD Card | Yes |
| Form Factor | Arduino Mega shield |
Compatible Boards
| Board | Notes |
|---|---|
| Arduino Mega | Primary target, direct plug-in |
| Arduino Mega 2560 | Direct plug-in |
| Arduino Due | Compatible (3.3V, level shifting handled) |
| Arduino Giga R1 WiFi | Compatible |
| DIYables MEGA2560 R3 | Compatible |
| Other Mega-form boards | Compatible if pin layout matches |
Libraries
Applications
- Color GUI interfaces on Mega projects
- Data visualization dashboards
- Image viewers with SD card
- Weather station displays
- IoT control panels
- Sensor monitoring systems
- Industrial HMI panels
Equivalent Boards
| Module | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| 3.5" TFT 320x480 (8-bit, non-touch) | Uno-compatible shield, 8-bit parallel — slower |
| 3.5" TFT Touch Shield | Uno shield with resistive touch |
| 2.4" TFT ST7789 SPI | Smaller, SPI interface — for both Uno and Mega |
Beginner Tutorials
Notes
- The 16-bit parallel interface uses most of the Mega's digital pins — check pin conflicts before adding other hardware.
- SD card slot shares the parallel bus; ensure CS pin management when switching between display and SD operations.
- The ILI9486 ID can be read at runtime; use tft.readID() to confirm and initialize automatically in MCUFRIEND_kbv.
- Backlight current of ~100 mA requires the Mega's 5V supply (500 mA USB or 900 mA barrel jack recommended).
Community
Revision History
| Version | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| v1.0 | 2026-06 | Initial entry |