The LCD 20×4 Parallel LCD Display is a standard alphanumeric display module capable of showing 20 characters per line across 4 lines. Based on the HD44780-compatible controller, it is widely used in embedded systems to display text, sensor data, menus, and system status. Its parallel interface, high readability, and long operational life make it suitable for Arduino projects, industrial panels, and educational applications.
Core Display Specifications
• Display Type: Alphanumeric character LCD
• Display Format: 20 columns × 4 rows
• Controller IC: HD44780 compatible
• Character Font: 5 × 8 dot matrix
Electrical & Interface
• Supply Voltage (VDD): 5 V DC
• Logic Level: 5 V TTL
• Interface Mode: 4-bit or 8-bit parallel
• Control Pins: RS, RW, EN
• Data Pins: D0–D7
• Backlight Supply: LED backlight with A/K pins
• Contrast Adjustment: External potentiometer (≈10 kΩ)
Performance Characteristics
• Fast character refresh rate
• Stable display with low power consumption
• Supports custom character generation (CGRAM)
• Wide viewing angle for indoor use
Physical Characteristics
• Module Construction: Glass LCD with PCB controller
• Backlight: LED (blue/green variant dependent)
• Mounting: Standard PCB mounting holes
• Rigid and durable design for long-term use
Compatibility
• Arduino Uno / Nano / Mega
• ESP8266 / ESP32 (with level shifting if required)
• Raspberry Pi (GPIO or I/O expander)
• STM32, AVR, PIC microcontrollers
Key Advantages
• Displays more data than 16×2 LCD
• Well-documented and easy to program
• High reliability and long lifespan
• Suitable for menu-based interfaces
Technical Insights
• 4-bit mode reduces GPIO usage by half
• RW pin can be tied to GND for write-only operation
• Backlight current typically 15–30 mA
• Optional I²C backpack simplifies wiring
Applications
• Embedded system displays
• Industrial control panels
• Instrumentation readouts
• Home automation interfaces
• Educational electronics projects
Pro Tip
• Adjust contrast before coding for best visibility
• Use short data lines to avoid noise
• Prefer 4-bit mode for compact designs
• Add I²C adapter for cleaner layouts
Package Includes
• 1 × LCD 20×4 Parallel LCD Display Module