What Is the SSD1306? OLED Display Controller: Wiring and Uses
The SSD1306 is a display controller that drives small monochrome OLED screens. It is found in the most common 0.96" 128×64 (and 128×32) OLED modules; it connects over I2C (address 0x3C) or SPI. With low power and high contrast it is popular for showing menus, sensor values and a clock; it is driven with the Adafruit/U8g2 libraries.
The SSD1306 is a display controller that drives small OLED screens. It is found in the most common 0.96" 128×64 (and 128×32) monochrome OLED modules; it connects to an MCU over I2C or SPI. For the concept, see what is an OLED display · what is I2C.
What is the SSD1306 used for?
A small, sharp, backlight-free (self-emissive) information display: menus, sensor values, a clock, icons/graphics. With low power and high contrast it is popular in wearable and battery projects. It is driven with SSD1306 libraries (Adafruit/U8g2) on Arduino.
Connection
| Interface | Pins |
|---|---|
| I2C | VCC, GND, SCL, SDA (address usually 0x3C) |
| SPI | VCC, GND, D0(SCK), D1(MOSI), RES, DC, CS |
Highlights
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Monochrome OLED controller |
| Resolution | 128×64 or 128×32 |
| Interface | I2C or SPI |
| Supply | 3.3–5 V (module-dependent) |
Limitations
- Small and monochrome (for color/large use a TFT: ILI9341/ST7789).
- A static image left on too long risks OLED burn-in.
- The I2C version is slower than SPI (use SPI for fast animation).
Equivalents and alternatives
- SH1106: a very similar OLED controller (mind the offset difference).
- ST7789 / ILI9341: color TFT screens.
- HD44780: a character LCD (text).
Find it in our catalog
Use the SSD1306 search.