WSAL20123 – Pico-ePaper-3.7/en

Documentation notice: This technical documentation was independently rewritten from an archived supplier source. Check technical details and commands against the product version and manufacturer documentation before use.

Summary

The Pico ePaper 3.7 is a 3.7-inch e-paper module for Raspberry Pi Pico/Pico2 with a resolution of 480 × 280 pixels and an SPI interface. It supports two or four grayscale levels, requires no backlight, and retains the last displayed image without power.

Related products at JW Tech

WSAL20123 – 3.7inch E-Paper E-Ink Display Module for Raspberry Pi Pico, 480×280, Black / White, 4 Grayscale, SPI

Technical overview

Size: 3.7 inches; display area approx. 47.32 mm × 81.12 mm; module dimensions 56.9 mm × 95.3 mm
Resolution 480 × 280 pixels at a pixel pitch of 0.169 mm
Color mode: black/white, optionally four grayscale levels switchable via commands
Operating voltage: 3.3 V / 5 V
Interface: SPI (CPHL=0, CPOL=0, i.e., SPI mode 0)
Partial refresh time approx. 0.3 s; full refresh approx. 3 s
Refresh power typ. 26.4 mW; sleep current < 0.01 µA
Pin mapping: DIN→GP11, CLK→GP10, CS→GP9, DC→GP8, RST→GP12, BUSY→GP13
Command/data control: DC = 0 → write command, DC = 1 → write data
After leaving deep-sleep mode, the display must be re-initialized

Commands and examples – verify before use:

sudo wget https://files.waveshare.com/upload/5/5a/Pico_ePaper_Code.zip
git clone https://github.com/waveshare/Pico_ePaper_Code.git
cmake -DPICO_BOARD=pico -DPICO_PLATFORM=rp2040 ..
cmake -DPICO_BOARD=pico2 -DPICO_PLATFORM=rp2350 ..
make -j9
cp epd.uf2 /media/pi/RPI-RP2/
cp epd.uf2 /media/pi/RP2350

Notes and version constraints

The stated refresh times are based on test data; actual times may vary depending on environment.
Full refresh causes visible flickering – this is a normal effect of e-ink displays.
After waking from deep-sleep mode, the display must first be cleared or re-initialized to avoid afterimages.
For SPI communication issues: check wiring and verify SPI parameters (baud rate, mode).
Switching between 2- and 4-grayscale modes requires sending specific register commands; exact command sequences must be verified in the driver code.

Source and revision record

Pico e-Paper 3.7 - Waveshare Wiki
Source revision: 109417
Captured: 2026-09-02T03:17:17+00:00
SHA-256: 88e0b7fca3a447a5dd001bdf2c56754b6615c76e799826f5be089ff693fdc285