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Andrew Tudoroi’s TinyNumberHat is a maker-built Raspberry Pi add-on that uses nine vintage seven-segment LED displays to show large numbers and short messages. Designed around the compact Raspberry Pi Zero family, it combines an HT16K33 controller, four buttons and an I²C expansion connector—not just a row of retro digits.
What the TinyNumberHat does
TinyNumberHat, also styled TinyNumberHat 9, is a HAT-style board for a Raspberry Pi or compatible single-board computer with a 40-pin GPIO header. Its footprint follows the small Pi Zero family. The board’s nine numerical display positions can be used for items such as timestamps and short text messages. The creator’s documentation shows it mounted on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, though builders should check the project files for the exact hardware fit and connection details.
The project’s appeal is its mix of vintage display components and a compact modern host. Tudoroi describes finding the AL304 and ALS314 displays while looking through old encyclopedias and magazines, then building a project around their distinctive appearance.
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Two display versions, with one prototype caveat
| Version | Display components | Populated digits |
|---|---|---|
| Red | ALS314 seven-segment displays | Nine |
| Green | Lime-green AL304V displays | Eight in the pictured prototype; one position is empty |
The creator jokingly calls the green prototype “TinyNumberHat 8” because one AL304V is missing. That is a visual distinction in the prototype, not a change to the nominal nine-position design. The available project sources do not provide a controlled comparison of brightness, power use, readability, lifespan or price, so there is no basis for ranking the red and green versions on those measures.
#1 Best Overall
- This is an LCD display HAT for Raspberry Pi, 1.44inch diagonal, 128x128 pixels, with embedded controller, communicating via SPI interface.
- Standard Raspberry Pi connectivity, compatible with and direct-pluggable onto Raspberry Pi 2B/3B/3B+/Zero/Zero W
- Driver: ST7735S Interface: SPI Display color: RGB, 65K color
- Backlight: LED Operating voltage: 3.3V. 1x joystick (5-position), 3x push buttons, handy and useful.
- Online Document/User Manual: //bit.ly/3MBLbRd
How the controller, buttons and I²C fit together
The board uses an HT16K33 LED controller. Tudoroi says he chose it instead of a MAX7219 because the HT16K33 communicates over I²C and supports button functionality. Four button inputs let the demo switch among clock, date, timestamp and message modes.
A Qwiic/Stemma-compatible I²C connector provides another connection point. According to the project description, it can be used to connect a separate host such as an Arduino or to attach additional I²C expansion boards while the HAT is mounted on a Pi. The creator’s demo is written in Python and communicates with the HT16K33 over I²C; these are documented project capabilities, not results from independent testing.
Rank #2
- [All-in-One Audio & Display Expansion] Elevate your Raspberry Pi projects with the Whisplay HAT. It seamlessly integrates a high-performance audio codec, an onboard speaker, dual microphones, and a vibrant 1.69-inch color LCD (240x280 resolution) into a single, compact board. Perfect for building smart speakers, voice assistants, and creative media terminals.
- [Perfect Match for Pi Zero & More] Designed with the exact same form factor (65mm x 30mm) as the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero 2 W, this expansion board fits flawlessly into handheld and ultra-portable setups. It is also fully compatible with Raspberry Pi 5 via the standard 40-pin GPIO header.
- [High-Fidelity Audio System ] Powered by an integrated high-quality audio codec with dual microphones and onboard speaker for accurate voice capture, and a PH2.0 expansion interface for external speaker connection—ideal for voice recognition, AI chatbots, and high-quality audio playback.
- [Developer Friendly & Programmable] Equipped with programmable physical buttons to trigger scripts or custom functions, RGB LEDs add visual appeal and status cues to your projects. Comes with full Python drivers, open-source documentation, and ready-to-run GitHub examples to kickstart your next AI or IoT project.
- [Zero Soldering, Easy Installation] Simply plug the Whisplay HAT directly onto your Pi's 40-pin GPIO pins and start creating. Note: Please handle by the edges of the PCB to avoid pressing or putting heavy pressure on the fragile glass screen.
What builders can get from the project
The project page lists a CSV bill of materials, an ALS314 datasheet and a schematic. Hackster reports that design files and software source code are published on GitHub under the MIT license. These materials make the project a build reference for makers; the sources do not establish that a complete assembled TinyNumberHat is commercially sold.
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Rank #3
- This is an IPS LCD display HAT for Raspberry Pi, 1.3inch diagonal, 240x240 pixels, with embedded controller, communicating via SPI interface. Trying to add a control interface for your Pi? This compact display would be the ideal choice.
- Standard Raspberry Pi 40PIN GPIO extension header, supports Raspberry Pi series boards
- IPS screen, wide viewing angle, better display
- Driver: ST7789. Interface: SPI. Display color: RGB, 65K color. Resolution: 240x240. Backlight: LED. Operating voltage: 3.3V.
- Comes with development resources and manual (examples for Raspberry Pi/Arduino/STM32).
Finding the vintage displays
Tudoroi describes the ALS314 and AL304V as rare. A July 1, 2026 project log reports finding an eBay seller with new-old-stock examples of both parts, but that dated lead does not confirm current inventory, authenticity, price, shipping options or seller quality. Check any listing directly before planning a build around it.
The creator also notes that searching the Cyrillic part names АЛС314 and АЛ304 may help locate these Soviet-era components. Treat that as a search suggestion, not a guarantee that suitable parts are available.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Please note: fbtft_device and flexfb are gone in 5.4.fbtft_device was removed because the gpio code had been reworked without fixing up fbtft_device so it didn't work.
- This is an IPS LCD display HAT for Raspberry Pi, 1.3 inch diagonal, 240 x 240 pixels, with embedded controller, communicating via SPI interface.Standard Raspberry Pi connectivity, compatible with Raspberry Pi Zero/Zero W/Zero WH/2B/3B/3B+
- IPS screen, wide viewing angle, better display High definition in small size, 1 x joystick, 3 x pushbuttons, handy and useful
- Comes with development resources and manual (examples for Raspberry Pi)
- Driver: ST7789; Display colour: RGB, 65K colour; perating voltage: 3.3 V
Rank #4
- This is an LCD display HAT for Raspberry Pi, 1.44inch diagonal, 128x128 pixels, with embedded controller, communicating via SPI interface.
- Standard Raspberry Pi connectivity, compatible with and direct-pluggable onto Raspberry Pi 2B/3B/3B+/Zero/Zero W
- 1x joystick (5-position), 3x pushbuttons, handy and useful
- Comes with development resources and manual (examples for Raspberry Pi)
- Display color: RGB, 65K color
Project references
- Hackster’s TinyNumberHat feature describes the board, display variants and published design materials.
- Andrew Tudoroi’s Hackaday.io project contains the creator’s project documentation, build materials and updates.
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