ST7735 TFT Display Arduino Tutorial: Have you ever used electronics to make someone smile?

Most Arduino projects focus on sensors, automation, robotics, and IoT. But electronics can also be used to create memorable personal experiences. Imagine giving your spouse, partner, or loved one a small device that suddenly lights up with colorful hearts and a personalized message saying “I Love You.”

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to interface a 1.8-inch ST7735 TFT display with an Arduino Mega and create beautiful graphics, text, animations, and finally a romantic animated greeting.

Along the way, you’ll also learn the fundamentals of TFT graphics programming, making this project both educational and fun.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this tutorial, you will know how to:

✔ Interface an ST7735 TFT display with Arduino Mega

✔ Install and use the required libraries

✔ Display text on the TFT screen

✔ Draw lines, circles, rectangles, and custom graphics

✔ Create simple animations

✔ Build a personalized romantic greeting display

Components Required

Component	Quantity
Arduino ( I am using Mega 2560)	1
1.8-inch ST7735 TFT Display	1
Jumper Wires	As required
USB Cable	1

Understanding the ST7735 TFT Display

The ST7735 is one of the most popular low-cost color TFT displays available for Arduino projects.

1.8 Inch SPI 128×160 TFT LCD Display Module

Features of ST7735 TFT Display Arduino Tutorial

Resolution: 128 × 160 pixels
Full-color display
SPI communication
Fast graphics rendering
Low power consumption

The display can show:

Text
Graphics
Icons
Menus
Sensor data
Animations

This makes it ideal for embedded systems and DIY electronics projects.

ALSO READ – How to Use PT-100 RTD with MAX31865 Module and Arduino

TFT Display Pinout

Typical ST7735 TFT modules have the following pins:

TFT Pin	Function
VCC	Power
GND	Ground
SCK	SPI Clock
SDA	SPI Data
CS	Chip Select
DC	Data/Command
RST	Reset
LED	Backlight

NOTE: Need of level shifter depend on the type of your TFT display. If your display works on 5V logic, then there is no need of logic shifter. You can directly make connections between pins of Arduino and TFT display.

Wiring the ST7735 TFT Display Arduino

TFT Pin	Arduino Mega
VCC	5V
GND	GND
SCK	52
SDA	51
CS	53
DC	48
RST	49
LED	5V

connection of Arduino Mega with TFT Display

ALSO READ – PID Temperature Control with Arduino & Sensors

Installing Required Libraries

Open Arduino IDE and install:

Adafruit GFX Library

This library provides:

Text functions
Shape drawing functions
Graphic utilities

Adafruit ST7735 and ST7789 Library

This library communicates directly with the display controller.

Install both from:

Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries

Also you can visit the library on github

Your First TFT Program

Let’s verify that the display works correctly.

#include <SPI.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_ST7735.h>

#define TFT_CS 53
#define TFT_DC 48
#define TFT_RST 49

Adafruit_ST7735 tft(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

void setup()
{
  tft.initR(INITR_BLACKTAB);
  tft.setRotation(1);

  tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

  tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_GREEN);
  tft.setTextSize(2);
  tft.setCursor(20,40);

  tft.print("Hello!");
}

void loop()
{
}

Upload the sketch and verify that “Hello!” appears on the screen.

Congratulations! You have successfully interfaced the TFT display.

Displaying Colored Text

Different text colors can make your user interfaces more attractive.

Example:

tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_RED);
tft.print("Red Text");

tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_BLUE);
tft.print("Blue Text");

Supported colors include:

Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Cyan
Magenta
White

Drawing Shapes

The Adafruit GFX library allows drawing various shapes.

Draw Rectangle

tft.drawRect(10,10,100,50,ST77XX_YELLOW);

Filled Rectangle

tft.fillRect(10,10,100,50,ST77XX_RED);

Draw Circle

tft.drawCircle(80,60,20,ST77XX_GREEN);

Filled Circle

tft.fillCircle(80,60,20,ST77XX_BLUE);

Draw Line

tft.drawLine(0,0,160,128,ST77XX_WHITE);

Creating a Heart Shape

A heart can be created using two circles and one triangle.

void drawHeart(int x,int y,int s,uint16_t color)
{
  tft.fillCircle(x-s,y-s,s,color);
  tft.fillCircle(x+s,y-s,s,color);

  tft.fillTriangle(
    x-2*s,y-s/2,
    x+2*s,y-s/2,
    x,y+3*s,
    color);
}

Now display a heart:

drawHeart(80,60,15,ST77XX_RED);

The result is a simple but beautiful heart graphic.

Creating Animation

Animation is simply the rapid display of slightly different images.

Example:

for(int i=12;i<18;i++)
{
  tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

  drawHeart(80,60,i,ST77XX_RED);

  delay(100);
}

The heart appears to grow.

By repeating the animation in both directions, we can create a beating-heart effect.

Project: Romantic Animated Greeting

Now let’s combine everything we have learned.

The display will:

Show a personalized name
Display animated hearts
Present a loving message
Create a memorable surprise

Example message:

“NAME, You Make Every Day Beautiful”

The animation can continuously run while the display remains powered.

This simple project often creates a much bigger emotional impact than expensive gifts because it is personal and handmade.

#include <SPI.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_ST7735.h>

#define TFT_CS   53
#define TFT_DC   48
#define TFT_RST  49

Adafruit_ST7735 tft = Adafruit_ST7735(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

//-------------------------------------
// Draw Heart Function
//-------------------------------------
void drawHeart(int x, int y, int s, uint16_t color)
{
  tft.fillCircle(x - s, y - s, s, color);
  tft.fillCircle(x + s, y - s, s, color);

  tft.fillTriangle(
    x - 2 * s, y - s / 2,
    x + 2 * s, y - s / 2,
    x, y + 3 * s,
    color);
}

//-------------------------------------
// Twinkling Stars Background
//-------------------------------------
void stars()
{
  for(int i=0;i<50;i++)
  {
    int x=random(0,160);
    int y=random(0,128);

    tft.drawPixel(x,y,ST77XX_WHITE);
  }
}

//-------------------------------------
// Welcome Screen
//-------------------------------------
void welcomeScreen()
{
  tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

  stars();

  tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_CYAN);
  tft.setTextSize(2);
  tft.setCursor(15,20);
  tft.println("Hello");

  tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_YELLOW);
  tft.setCursor(15,50);
  tft.println("NAME");

  tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_GREEN);
  tft.setTextSize(1);
  tft.setCursor(10,95);
  tft.println("A special message");

  tft.setCursor(35,110);
  tft.println("for you...");

  delay(3000);
}

//-------------------------------------
// Floating Hearts Animation
//-------------------------------------
void floatingHearts()
{
  for(int frame=0; frame<60; frame++)
  {
    tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

    for(int i=0;i<10;i++)
    {
      int x = random(10,150);
      int y = (frame*3 + i*20) % 160;

      drawHeart(x,128-y,3,ST77XX_RED);
    }

    delay(60);
  }
}

//-------------------------------------
// Beating Heart Animation
//-------------------------------------
void beatingHeart()
{
  for(int cycle=0; cycle<6; cycle++)
  {
    tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

    drawHeart(80,55,18,ST77XX_RED);

    tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_MAGENTA);
    tft.setTextSize(2);
    tft.setCursor(25,100);
    tft.print("I LOVE");

    delay(250);

    tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

    drawHeart(80,55,22,ST77XX_RED);

    tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_MAGENTA);
    tft.setTextSize(2);
    tft.setCursor(25,100);
    tft.print("I LOVE");

    delay(250);
  }
}

//-------------------------------------
// Romantic Message
//-------------------------------------
void romanticMessage()
{
  tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

  stars();

  tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_YELLOW);
  tft.setTextSize(2);
  tft.setCursor(10,10);
  tft.print("NAME");

  tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_WHITE);
  tft.setTextSize(1);

  tft.setCursor(10,45);
  tft.println("You make every day");

  tft.setCursor(10,60);
  tft.println("more beautiful");

  tft.setCursor(10,75);
  tft.println("than the last.");

  tft.setCursor(10,100);
  tft.println("Thank you for being");

  tft.setCursor(10,115);
  tft.println("part of my life.");

  delay(5000);
}

//-------------------------------------
// Big Love Screen
//-------------------------------------
void finalScreen()
{
  tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

  drawHeart(80,45,25,ST77XX_RED);

  tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_CYAN);
  tft.setTextSize(2);

  tft.setCursor(18,90);
  tft.print("I LOVE");

  tft.setCursor(18,110);
  tft.print("YOU");

  delay(3000);

  tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

  tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_MAGENTA);
  tft.setTextSize(2);

  tft.setCursor(10,35);
  tft.print("Forever");

  tft.setCursor(10,65);
  tft.print("& Always");

  tft.setCursor(20,105);
  tft.print("NAME");

  delay(4000);
}

//-------------------------------------
// Setup
//-------------------------------------
void setup()
{
  randomSeed(analogRead(A0));

  tft.initR(INITR_BLACKTAB);
  tft.setRotation(1);
}

//-------------------------------------
// Main Loop
//-------------------------------------
void loop()
{
  welcomeScreen();

  floatingHearts();

  beatingHeart();

  romanticMessage();

  finalScreen();
}

Example Codes

Bouncing Ball Animation

#include <SPI.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_ST7735.h>

#define TFT_CS 53
#define TFT_DC 48
#define TFT_RST 49

Adafruit_ST7735 tft(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

int x = 80;
int y = 64;
int dx = 2;
int dy = 2;
int r = 8;

void setup() {
  tft.initR(INITR_BLACKTAB);
  tft.setRotation(1);
}

void loop() {

  tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

  tft.fillCircle(x, y, r, ST77XX_RED);

  x += dx;
  y += dy;

  if (x >= 160-r || x <= r)
    dx = -dx;

  if (y >= 128-r || y <= r)
    dy = -dy;

  delay(20);
}

Starfield Animation (Space Effect)

#include <SPI.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_ST7735.h>

#define TFT_CS 53
#define TFT_DC 48
#define TFT_RST 49

Adafruit_ST7735 tft(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

void setup() {

  tft.initR(INITR_BLACKTAB);
  tft.setRotation(1);

  randomSeed(analogRead(A0));
}

void loop() {

  int x = random(160);
  int y = random(128);

  tft.drawPixel(x, y, ST77XX_WHITE);

  delay(10);

  tft.drawPixel(x, y, ST77XX_BLACK);
}

Analog Speedometer

Useful for future sensor projects.

#include <SPI.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_ST7735.h>
#include <math.h>

#define TFT_CS 53
#define TFT_DC 48
#define TFT_RST 49

Adafruit_ST7735 tft(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

void drawNeedle(int angle)
{
  tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

  int cx = 80;
  int cy = 110;
  int r = 60;

  tft.drawCircle(cx, cy, r, ST77XX_WHITE);

  float rad = radians(angle);

  int x = cx + r*cos(rad);
  int y = cy - r*sin(rad);

  tft.drawLine(cx, cy, x, y, ST77XX_RED);

  tft.setCursor(60,10);
  tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_GREEN);
  tft.setTextSize(2);
  tft.print(angle);
}

void setup() {

  tft.initR(INITR_BLACKTAB);
  tft.setRotation(1);
}

void loop() {

  for(int a=0;a<=180;a+=5)
  {
    drawNeedle(a);
    delay(50);
  }

  for(int a=180;a>=0;a-=5)
  {
    drawNeedle(a);
    delay(50);
  }
}

Matrix-Style Digital Rain

#include <SPI.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_ST7735.h>

#define TFT_CS 53
#define TFT_DC 48
#define TFT_RST 49

Adafruit_ST7735 tft(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

void setup() {

  tft.initR(INITR_BLACKTAB);
  tft.setRotation(1);

  tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

  randomSeed(analogRead(A0));
}

void loop() {

  int x = random(0,160);
  int y = random(0,128);

  char c = random(33,126);

  tft.setCursor(x,y);
  tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_GREEN);
  tft.setTextSize(1);
  tft.print(c);

  delay(20);
}

Fireworks Celebration Animation

#include <SPI.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_ST7735.h>

#define TFT_CS 53
#define TFT_DC 48
#define TFT_RST 49

Adafruit_ST7735 tft(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

uint16_t colors[] = {
  ST77XX_RED,
  ST77XX_BLUE,
  ST77XX_GREEN,
  ST77XX_YELLOW,
  ST77XX_CYAN,
  ST77XX_MAGENTA
};

void setup() {

  tft.initR(INITR_BLACKTAB);
  tft.setRotation(1);

  randomSeed(analogRead(A0));
}

void loop() {

  int cx = random(20,140);
  int cy = random(20,100);

  uint16_t color = colors[random(6)];

  for(int r=1;r<25;r++)
  {
    tft.drawCircle(cx,cy,r,color);
    delay(20);
  }

  delay(100);

  for(int r=1;r<25;r++)
  {
    tft.drawCircle(cx,cy,r,ST77XX_BLACK);
  }
}

15 Creative TFT Display Project Ideas for Arduino

Include ideas such as:

Smart Plant Monitor
Weather Station
Data Logger Display
Mini Oscilloscope
Electronic Name Plate
Digital Clock
Pomodoro Timer
TFT Game Console
IoT Dashboard
Temperature Monitor
Flow Meter Display
CNC Status Monitor
3D Printer Dashboard
Electronic Greeting Card
Romantic Message Display

Real-World Applications of TFT Displays

Although this tutorial uses a romantic greeting project, the same techniques are used in:

Industrial control panels
Data loggers
Medical instruments
Smart home systems
IoT dashboards
Weather stations
3D printer interfaces

Learning TFT graphics is an important step toward building professional embedded systems.

Conclusion

The ST7735 TFT display is one of the best displays for Arduino beginners because it allows you to create colorful and interactive projects with minimal hardware.

In this tutorial, you learned how to:

Interface an ST7735 TFT display
Display text
Draw graphics
Create animations
Build a personalized romantic greeting project

Now it’s your turn. Try customizing the project with your own messages, colors, and animations and surprise someone special with a handmade electronic gift.

Sometimes a few lines of code can create memories that last much longer than the hardware itself.

Happy Making!

TechKnowLab – Prototyping the Ideas!

NEXT READ – HC-SR04 Arduino: How to use ultrasonic sensor with Arduino

ST7735 TFT Display Arduino Tutorial | Create a Romantic Animated Message