Here is another simplified project to connect the LCD 16×2, I have included both the methods.

1. Direct interfacing of LCD 16×2 on Arduino
2. Interfacing LCD 16×2 using I2C Module on Arduino

Method 1 is complicated as it involves a lot of connection. If you are a beginner and do not want your learning to stop, I would advise you to buy an I2C module which is cheap and easily available online. And then you can follow method 2.

An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen is an electronic display module and has a wide range of applications. A 16×2 LCD display is very basic module and is very commonly used in various devices and circuits. A 16×2 LCD means it can display 16 characters per line and there are 2 such lines. In this LCD each character is displayed in 5×7 pixel matrix. The 16 x 2 intelligent alphanumeric dot matrix display is capable of displaying 224 different characters and symbols. This LCD has two registers, namely, Command and Data.

Why is it called the LCD 16×2 ?

The LCD has 16 columns and 2 Rows. When we program the LCD we are going to point out the cursor position using the numbers in white. When we program we read numbers as 0,1,2,3,4,5,67,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 and 15. Similarly, we have 2 Rows 0 and 1.

Anything longer than 16 characters is unlikely to fit on the display. Hence while programming, count the characters that will be displayed on the LCD.

Interfacing LCD 16×2 with Arduino

The LCD being a display module comes in handy with many projects. So just interfacing an LCD is not enough.

But for now we are going to learn two methods to connect. But before that….

Things Needed

LCD 16×2 Pin Diagram

Circuit Diagram (Method 1)

Connect the following circuit as shown in the diagram. Next step would be programming the Arduino to print characters on the LCD 16×2.

Code

Since the LCD is widely used in the industry, there is an liquid crystal library that will allow us to code the display.

Click here to download the libraries and see other content : https://github.com/rolan37/Arduino-LCD-16×2

Use the liquidCrystal library that is easily available on the IDE. Refer to the below code, edit and make it your own.

 //LiquidCrystal Library - Hello World

 Demonstrates the use a 16x2 LCD display.  The LiquidCrystal
 library works with all LCD displays that are compatible with the
 Hitachi HD44780 driver. There are many of them out there, and you
 can usually tell them by the 16-pin interface.

 This sketch prints "Hello World!" to the LCD
 and shows the time.

  The circuit:
 * LCD RS pin to digital pin 12
 * LCD Enable pin to digital pin 11
 * LCD D4 pin to digital pin 5
 * LCD D5 pin to digital pin 4
 * LCD D6 pin to digital pin 3
 * LCD D7 pin to digital pin 2
 * LCD R/W pin to ground
 * LCD VSS pin to ground
 * LCD VCC pin to 5V
 * 10K resistor:
 * ends to +5V and ground
 * wiper to LCD VO pin (pin 3)


*/

// include the library code:
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

// initialize the library by associating any needed LCD interface pin
// with the arduino pin number it is connected to
const int rs = 12, en = 11, d4 = 5, d5 = 4, d6 = 3, d7 = 2;
LiquidCrystal lcd(rs, en, d4, d5, d6, d7);

void setup() {
  // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows:
  lcd.begin(16, 2);
  // Print a message to the LCD.
  lcd.print("hello, world!");
}

void loop() {
  // set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  // (note: line 1 is the second row, since counting begins with 0):
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  // print the number of seconds since reset:
  lcd.print(millis() / 1000);
}

Circuit Diagram (Method 2)

I2C Module Pin Diagram

Code

Click here to download the libraries and see other content : https://github.com/rolan37/Arduino-LCD-16×2

Use the Arduino-LiquidCrystal-I2C-library-master.zip that is easily available on the link. Refer to the below code, and enjoy the easy method. Incase you want to see the demonstration of this activity. you can watch the video below.

Please keep in mind if the code is not functioning, it only means that you need to find your correct address of the LCD. Watch the video as I have explained how to fix it.

 //Electronicssimplified - LCD I2C Module
#include <Wire.h> 
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>

LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);

void setup()
{

  lcd.begin();


  lcd.backlight();
  lcd.clear();
  lcd.setCursor(0,0);
  lcd.print("Like | Share");
  lcd.setCursor(0,3);
  lcd.print("Subscribe");
}

void loop()
{
}