TM1637 4-Digit 7-Segment LED Display Module with Clock

A simple LED display for clocks and counters

This TM1637 module is an affordable way to show the output data of an Arduino project on four bright LED digits. The TM1637 driver chip takes care of multiplexing, so you need only two signal wires, called CLK and DIO, instead of a dozen. The digits are 0.36 inch common-anode tubes, and the module has a colon so it can work as a clock.

The pinout is GND, VCC (5 V), DIO (D2) and CLK (D3) in the typical example.

Getting started

Connect the four pins, install a TM1637 library and call a function to show a number or a time. The module works as a four-digit display unit or a clock display, and is suitable for DIY clock projects, counters and timers. The description calls the interface I2C, but the TM1637 uses its own two-wire protocol, so use a TM1637 library and not an I2C library.

Four M2 screw positioning holes make it easy to fix in a case. Use a resistor-limited 5 V supply and keep the brightness setting moderate if the display will be on for long periods.

Who it is for

Beginners building a clock, a score counter, a timer or a sensor readout who want a very low-cost display.

Using it in a project

For a clock, keep time with an RTC module such as a DS3231 and send the hours and minutes to the display, toggling the colon every second. For counters and timers, update the display only when the value changes so that the display does not flicker. You can adjust brightness in the library to suit your room.

Questions buyers ask

How many digits does it have?

Four, with a colon for clock use.

How many pins does it need?

Two signal pins (CLK and DIO), plus power and ground.

What voltage does it use?

5 V.

Can it show a clock?

Yes, it has a colon between the digits.