We are quite familiar with seven-segment displays. We see them on our alarm clocks, ovens, and microwaves. But what happens if you add more segments to each digit? All of a sudden you can display more than just numbers! Introducing the brand new Alphanumeric Display from your friends at SparkX. These fourteen-segment digits allow you display all sorts of numbers, characters, and symbols.

The SparkFun Alphanumeric Display Arduino library makes printing strings to the display as easy as calling the print() function. Use the library to send I2C commands to the HT16K33 LED driver chip to light up segments (including the decimal point or colon) and even scroll your string across the display. You can download the library through the Arduino library manager by searching 'SparkFun Alphanumeric Display' or you can get the GitHub repo as a .zip file and install the library from there.

The HT16K33 also supports I2C address configuration. Simply close a combination of the address jumpers on the back and you can communicate with up to four displays on the same bus. Our slim board design also features detachable stand off holes, vertical Qwiic connectors, and internal mounting holes.

This board is one of our many Qwiic compatible boards! Simply plug and go. No soldering, no figuring out which is SDA or SCL, and no voltage regulation or translation required!

We do not plan to regularly produce SparkX products so get them while they’re hot!