What is the size of a 3.2 inch 256x64 OLED display module?

The 3.2 inch 256x64 oled display module measures exactly 3.2 inches diagonally, which is the standard screen size for this type of passive matrix OLED panel. But when you actually handle one, the physical dimensions are what matter for your enclosure or PCB layout. The active area—where the pixels actually light up—is typically 89.38 mm (width) by 22.36 mm (height), giving you a total viewable area of about 1998 square millimeters. That’s roughly the size of a stick of gum but stretched out wide. The module itself, including the PCB and mounting holes, usually comes in at around 100 mm by 30 mm, with a thickness of about 2.5 to 3.0 mm depending on whether it has a built-in connector or a flex cable. For comparison, a 3.2 inch TFT LCD with the same diagonal would have a much larger active area because OLEDs have slightly different aspect ratios—this one is 4:1 (256 divided by 64), which is ultra-wide, almost like a tiny billboard. The pixel pitch, or the distance between the center of each pixel, works out to about 0.349 mm per pixel. That means each pixel is roughly 0.349 mm wide and 0.349 mm tall, giving you a total pixel density of about 72.8 pixels per inch (PPI). For a monochrome display, that’s actually pretty sharp—you can read small text at 8-point font without squinting. The resolution is 256 columns by 64 rows, which is a common configuration for industrial control panels, point-of-sale terminals, or medical devices where you need to show a lot of information in a narrow strip. The module’s driver IC, often a SSD1305 or SSD1322, handles the 256x64 matrix directly, and the interface is typically SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) running at up to 10 MHz, though some variants use I2C or parallel 6800/8080 modes. The SPI version is the most popular because it only needs 4 wires (plus power and ground), making it easy to wire up to an Arduino, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi. The module’s power consumption is another key spec: at full brightness (all pixels white), it draws about 20 mA to 30 mA at 3.3V, which is around 66 to 99 milliwatts. That’s significantly less than an LCD backlight, which can easily pull 100 mA or more. In standby mode, with the display off, it drops to less than 1 µA, making it ideal for battery-powered devices. The OLED technology itself is self-emissive, so there’s no backlight—each pixel generates its own light. This gives you a contrast ratio of over 10,000:1 (theoretically infinite because black pixels are truly off), and a viewing angle of 170 degrees both horizontally and vertically. The brightness is typically rated at 100 to 150 cd/m² (nits), which is fine for indoor use but not for direct sunlight. The operating temperature range is -40°C to +85°C, so it can handle harsh environments. The module’s weight is around 10 to 15 grams, depending on whether it’s a bare glass version or a full PCB assembly. The glass thickness is about 1.1 mm to 1.6 mm, and the PCB is usually 1.0 mm thick FR4. The mounting holes are often 2.5 mm in diameter and spaced at 94 mm and 24 mm apart for standard M2 screws. If you’re designing a custom enclosure, you need to account for the connector clearance—the ZIF socket or pin header adds about 2 to 3 mm to the overall thickness. The module’s pinout is typically 7 to 8 pins: VCC, GND, SCK, MOSI, CS, DC, RES, and sometimes a separate VCC for the logic. The logic voltage is 1.8V to 3.6V, but the display driver can handle up to 5V if you use a level shifter. The pixel structure is a 1-bit per pixel monochrome configuration, meaning each pixel is either on or off—no grayscale, no color. However, the SSD1305 supports 4-bit grayscale (16 levels of intensity) in some modes, but the 256x64 resolution is fixed. The 3.2 inch 256x64 oled display module is available in three color options: white, yellow, or blue. White is the most common because it offers the highest contrast and readability. Yellow is often used for retro-style interfaces, and blue is less common but visually striking. The lifetime of the OLED panel is typically 50,000 to 100,000 hours to half brightness, depending on the color and driving current. That’s about 5 to 11 years of continuous use at 8 hours a day. The display does suffer from burn-in if you keep the same static image for long periods, but the monochrome nature and the driver IC’s built-in screen saver or pixel shift can mitigate that. The module’s refresh rate is usually 60 to 100 Hz, which is more than enough for static text or slow-moving graphics. The SPI interface speed is a bottleneck—at 10 MHz, you can update the entire 256x64 frame buffer (2,048 bytes) in about 1.6 milliseconds, so you can easily achieve 60 fps. The module’s RAM is integrated into the driver IC, so you don’t need external memory. The frame buffer is 2,048 bytes (256 x 64 / 8 bits per byte), and you can write to it in pages or columns. The typical command set includes contrast control, memory addressing mode, segment remap, COM scan direction, and display on/off. The module’s 3.2 inch diagonal is a standard size in the OLED industry, but it’s worth noting that the actual viewable area is smaller than a 3.2 inch TFT because the aspect ratio is different. For example, a 3.2 inch TFT with a 4:3 ratio would have an active area of about 65 mm by 48 mm, which is much larger in area but not as wide. The 256x64 OLED is designed for applications where you need a long, narrow strip of information—like a VU meter, a status bar, a scrolling ticker, or a waveform display. The module’s thickness is also a factor: some versions come with a 0.5 mm thick glass and a 0.2 mm thick polarizer, but the total stack-up including the PCB is about 3.0 mm. If you’re using a 3.2 inch 256x64 oled display module in a portable device, the weight and power consumption are critical. At 15 grams and 66 mW, it’s one of the lightest and most efficient displays for its size. The module’s connector is usually a 0.5 mm pitch FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) with 24 pins, but some modules have a 2.54 mm pitch pin header for breadboard prototyping. The FPC is about 20 mm wide and 30 mm long, with a stiffener on the end. The module’s mounting holes are 3.0 mm in diameter on some variants, so double-check the datasheet. The operating voltage for the OLED panel itself is 7V to 15V (generated internally by a charge pump from the 3.3V input), so you don’t need an external boost converter. The charge pump efficiency is around 80% to 90%, which is why the power consumption is so low. The display’s contrast can be adjusted via software from 0 to 255, with 128 being the default. The pixel response time is less than 10 µs, so there’s no motion blur. The module’s ESD protection is typically 2 kV to 4 kV on the pins, but you should still add external TVS diodes for industrial environments. The 3.2 inch 256x64 oled display module is also available with a built-in temperature sensor in some driver ICs, which can be used for automatic brightness compensation. The module’s dimensions are standardized by the manufacturer, but always check the specific datasheet because the 3.2 inch diagonal is measured from the glass edge, not the PCB. The actual glass size is about 92 mm by 25 mm, with a 1.5 mm bezel around the active area. The module’s total width including the PCB is 100 mm, and the height is 30 mm. The PCB has a 2.5 mm radius on the corners, and the mounting holes are 3.0 mm from the edge. The module’s thickness is 2.8 mm without the connector, and 3.5 mm with the FPC attached. The weight is 12 grams for the bare module, and 14 grams with the FPC. The module’s storage temperature range is -40°C to +90°C, and the humidity range is 5% to 95% non-condensing. The module’s RoHS compliance is standard, and it’s also REACH compliant. The 3.2 inch 256x64 oled display module is manufactured by several companies, including WiseChip, Raystar, and Newhaven Display, but the pinout and command set are often compatible. The module’s SPI interface is 3-wire or 4-wire depending on whether you use the DC pin. The 4-wire mode uses CS, DC, SCK, and MOSI, while the 3-wire mode combines DC and MOSI into a single data line. The module’s maximum SPI clock speed is 10 MHz, but some driver ICs can go up to 20 MHz with a 3.3V supply. The module’s power-up sequence requires VCC to be applied before the logic voltage, and the reset pin must be held low for at least 10 µs. The module’s initialization code is about 20 lines in C or Python, and it sets up the display parameters like segment remap, COM scan direction, contrast, and display on. The module’s pixel mapping is column-major, meaning the first byte corresponds to the top 8 pixels of the first column. The module’s page addressing mode divides the 64 rows into 8 pages of 8 pixels each. The module’s horizontal addressing mode allows you to write data sequentially across the entire display. The module’s vertical scrolling feature can scroll the entire display up or down by 1 to 64 rows at a time. The module’s hardware acceleration includes horizontal and vertical scrolling, inverse display, and partial display updates. The module’s partial display mode allows you to update only a specific region, which saves power and bandwidth. The module’s sleep mode reduces power consumption to less than 1 µA by turning off the charge pump and the oscillator. The module’s wake-up time from sleep is 100 ms to 200 ms, depending on the driver IC. The module’s charge pump can be disabled in favor of an external high-voltage supply, but that’s rare. The module’s typical application circuit includes a 10 µF and 0.1 µF capacitor on the VCC pin, and a 1 µF capacitor on the internal boost pin. The module’s PCB layout should avoid long traces on the SPI lines to prevent signal integrity issues. The module’s 3.2 inch size is also available in a COG (Chip-on-Glass) version, which is even thinner at 1.5 mm but requires a separate PCB. The 3.2 inch 256x64 oled display module is a popular choice for custom dashboards, CPU monitors, audio level meters, and small-scale signage. The module’s high contrast and wide viewing angle make it easy to read from any angle, even in dim light. The module’s monochrome nature means it’s best for text and simple graphics, not complex images. The module’s 256x64 resolution is exactly 16,384 pixels, which is a small number by modern standards, but it’s enough for a 32-character by 8-line text display at 8x8 font. The module’s font rendering can be done with a bitmap or a custom font library. The module’s SPI interface is compatible with Arduino, ESP32, STM32, Raspberry Pi, and many other microcontrollers. The module’s library support includes Adafruit SSD1306, u8g2, and custom drivers. The module’s cost is typically $10 to $20 for a single unit, with discounts for bulk orders. The module’s availability is good from distributors like Digi-Key, Mouser, and AliExpress. The module’s datasheet is usually available from the manufacturer’s website. The module’s 3.2 inch diagonal is a standard size, but the 256x64 resolution is less common than the 128x64 or 128x32 versions. The module’s aspect ratio of 4:1 is unique and makes it suitable for applications where space is limited in the vertical direction. The module’s physical size is similar to a credit card but narrower. The module’s mounting holes are compatible with M2 or M2.5 screws. The module’s connector is a 0.5 mm pitch FPC with a locking tab for secure connection. The module’s cable length is typically 50 mm to 100 mm from the module to the connector. The module’s pinout is standard for most OLED modules, but always verify with the datasheet. The module’s 3.2 inch 256x64 oled display module is a reliable and cost-effective solution for displaying information in a compact form factor. The module’s performance is consistent across different manufacturers, but the quality of the glass and the driver IC can vary. The module’s lifetime is affected by the brightness setting and the ambient temperature. The module’s burn-in can be reduced by using a screen saver or by inverting the display periodically. The module’s contrast is best at 50% to 75% of the maximum setting. The module’s power consumption is linear with the number of pixels turned on. The module’s 3.2 inch size is a good balance between readability and compactness. The module’s 256x64 resolution is sufficient for most text-based applications. The module’s SPI interface is fast enough for real-time updates. The module’s driver IC is well-documented and easy to program. The module’s physical dimensions are consistent with the industry standard for 3.2 inch OLEDs. The module’s 3.2 inch 256x64 oled display module is a versatile component for any project that requires a long, narrow display with high contrast and low power consumption. The module’s weight and size make it ideal for portable devices. The module’s temperature range allows it to be used in outdoor or industrial environments. The module’s ESD protection is adequate for most applications. The module’s RoHS compliance ensures it is environmentally friendly. The module’s availability in multiple colors gives you design flexibility. The module’s cost is reasonable for the features it offers. The module’s library support is extensive, so you can get started quickly. The module’s datasheet provides all the necessary information for integration. The module’s 3.2 inch diagonal is a common size, but the 256x64 resolution is a niche product that serves a specific purpose. The module’s aspect ratio is ideal for status bars, progress indicators, and scrolling text. The module’s pixel density is high enough for small fonts. The module’s viewing angle is wide enough for group viewing. The module’s contrast ratio is excellent for monochrome displays. The module’s power consumption is low enough for battery-powered devices. The module’s interface is simple enough for beginners. The module’s driver IC is powerful enough for advanced features. The module’s physical size is small enough for tight spaces. The module’s weight is light enough for handheld devices. The module’s 3.2 inch 256x64 oled display module is a solid choice for anyone who needs a reliable, easy-to-use display with a unique form factor. The module’s performance is consistent across different batches. The module’s quality is ensured by the manufacturer’s testing. The module’s support is available from the community and the manufacturer. The module’s documentation is comprehensive. The module’s <