# RGB LCD Shield ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/389/medium800thumb/adafruit_products_arduino_compatibles_715-04.jpg?1717511342) This new Adafruit shield makes it easy to use a 16x2 Character LCD. We really like the range of LCDs we stock in the shop, such as our classic [blue & white](http://www.adafruit.com/products/181) as well as the fancy [RGB negative](http://www.adafruit.com/products/399) and [RGB positive](http://www.adafruit.com/products/398). Unfortunately, these LCDs do require quite a few digital pins, 6 to control the LCD and then perhaps another 3 to control the RGB backlight for a total of 9 pins. That's half of the pins available on a classic Arduino! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/390/medium800/lcds___displays_purple.jpeg?1396771727) With this in mind, we wanted to make it easier for people to get these LCD into their projects. So we devised a shield that lets you control  **a 16x2 Character LCD, up to 3 backlight pins AND 5 keypad pins using only the two I2C pins on the Arduino!** The best part is you don't really lose those two pins either, since you can use I2C-based sensors, real-time clocks, etc. and have them share the I2C bus. This is a super slick way to add a display without all the wiring hassle. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/407/medium800/adafruit_products_715-05.jpg?1717508368) This shield is perfect for when you want to build a stand-alone project with its own user interface. The 4 directional buttons plus select button allows basic control without having to attach a bulky computer. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/001/391/medium800/lcds___displays_bluewhiteshield.jpeg?1396771738) The shield is designed for 'classic' Arduino-shaped boards such as the Uno, Metro, etc. But it will also fit "Mega" sized boards because the I2C pins are labeled SCL/SDA. This used to come as a kit but now comes as an assembled SMT design, so much less soldering is required. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/130/388/medium800/arduino_compatibles_715-02.jpg?1717506312) **Revision History:** - **As of May 29, 2024 –**  The PCB's design has been updated. Now it comes with the  buttons, chips and other components already soldered into place. You will still need to solder on the shield headers and the LCD, but it's a lot easier. - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/rgb-lcd-shield/parts-list.md) ## Primary Products ### Adafruit I2C Controlled + Keypad Shield Kit for 16x2 LCD [Adafruit I2C Controlled + Keypad Shield Kit for 16x2 LCD](https://www.adafruit.com/product/715) We really like the range of LCDs we stock in the shop, such as our classic [blue & white](http://www.adafruit.com/products/181) and the fancy [RGB negative](http://www.adafruit.com/products/399) and [RGB positive](http://www.adafruit.com/products/398).... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/715) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/715/guides) ## Featured Products ### RGB backlight negative LCD 16x2 + extras [RGB backlight negative LCD 16x2 + extras](https://www.adafruit.com/product/399) This is a fancy upgrade to standard 16x2 LCDs, instead of just having blue and white, or red and black, this LCD has full color RGB characters on a dark/black background! That means you can change the character display colors to anything you want - red, green, blue, pink, white, purple yellow,... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/399) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/399/guides) ### RGB backlight positive LCD 16x2 + extras [RGB backlight positive LCD 16x2 + extras](https://www.adafruit.com/product/398) This is a fancy upgrade to standard 16x2 LCDs, instead of just having blue and white, or red and black, this LCD has black characters on a full color RGB-backlight background! That means you can change the background color to anything you want - red, green, blue, pink, white, purple yellow,... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/398) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/398/guides) ### LCD Shield Kit w/ 16x2 Character Display - Only 2 pins used! [LCD Shield Kit w/ 16x2 Character Display - Only 2 pins used!](https://www.adafruit.com/product/772) This new Adafruit shield makes it easy to use a 16x2 Character LCD. We really like the [Blue & White 16x2 LCDs we stock in the shop](http://www.adafruit.com/products/181). Unfortunately, these LCDs do require quite a few digital pins, 6 to control the LCD and then another pin to... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/772) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/772/guides) ### RGB LCD Shield Kit w/ 16x2 Character Display - Only 2 pins used! [RGB LCD Shield Kit w/ 16x2 Character Display - Only 2 pins used!](https://www.adafruit.com/product/716) This new Adafruit shield makes it easy to use a 16x2 Character LCD. We really like the RGB LCDs we stock in the shop both the [RGB negative](http://www.adafruit.com/products/399) and [RGB positive](http://www.adafruit.com/products/398). Unfortunately, these LCDs do... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/716) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/716/guides) ### RGB LCD Shield Kit w/ 16x2 Character Display - Only 2 pins used! [RGB LCD Shield Kit w/ 16x2 Character Display - Only 2 pins used!](https://www.adafruit.com/product/714) This new Adafruit shield makes it easy to use a 16x2 Character LCD. We really like the RGB LCDs we stock in the shop both the [RGB negative](http://www.adafruit.com/products/399) and [RGB positive](http://www.adafruit.com/products/398). Unfortunately, these LCDs do... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/714) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/714/guides) ## Related Guides - [Simple Arduino-based USB VID & PID tester](https://learn.adafruit.com/simple-arduino-based-usb-vid-and-pid-tester.md) - [Trinket RGB Shield Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-rgb-shield-clock.md) - [Adafruit Capacitive Touch Sensor Breakouts](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-capacitive-touch-sensor-breakouts.md) - [Sous-vide controller powered by Arduino - The SousViduino!](https://learn.adafruit.com/sous-vide-powered-by-arduino-the-sous-viduino.md) - [Arduino "Hunt The Wumpus"](https://learn.adafruit.com/arduino-hunt-the-wumpus.md) - [Trinket Temperature & Humidity LCD Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-temperature-humidity-lcd-display.md) - [Trinket Ultrasonic Rangefinder](https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-ultrasonic-rangefinder.md) - [Character LCD with Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone Black](https://learn.adafruit.com/character-lcd-with-raspberry-pi-or-beaglebone-black.md) - [Character LCDs](https://learn.adafruit.com/character-lcds.md) - [CircuitPython Libraries on Linux and Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-on-raspberrypi-linux.md) - [CircuitPython OctoPrint Controller and Monitor](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-octoprint-controller-and-monitor.md) - [Adafruit Bonsai Buckaroo](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-bonsai-buckaroo.md) - [Adafruit NAU7802 24-Bit ADC - STEMMA QT / Qwiic](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-nau7802-24-bit-adc-stemma-qt-qwiic.md) - [Using a Mouse with USB Host](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-a-mouse-with-usb-host.md) - [NeoPixel Sprite Weather Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-sprite-weather-display.md)