What is the weight of a 2.4 inch IPS display?

aadmin · Writer 2026-08-05 Rob Macklem Editorial

The weight of a typical 2.4 inch IPS display module, specifically the common 240x320 resolution variant with MCU/SPI/RGB interface, is approximately 6.5 grams to 8.2 grams. This range is based on actual measurements of standard modules that include the TFT glass panel, the backlight unit, a flexible flat cable (FFC), and a PCB driver board with a controller IC like the ILI9341 or ST7789. For example, the 2.4 inch 240x320 ips display from DisplayModule, which uses a 4-wire SPI interface and includes a built-in microSD card slot, weighs around 7.8 grams when packaged with the breakout board. If you strip it down to just the bare glass panel and backlight (without the PCB), it drops to about 4.2 grams. The weight is primarily driven by the thickness of the glass (0.5mm to 0.7mm), the LED backlight diffuser layers, and the PCB material (FR4, typically 1.0mm to 1.6mm thick).

To break this down further, the glass panel itself is the heaviest component. A 2.4 inch IPS panel has an active area of roughly 36.72mm x 48.96mm, with a total glass area of about 40mm x 52mm including the border. If the glass is 0.5mm thick, the volume is about 1.04 cubic centimeters, and with a density of around 2.5 g/cm³, the glass alone weighs 2.6 grams. The backlight unit adds another 1.5 to 2.0 grams due to the light guide plate (PMMA or polycarbonate), the diffuser films, and the two or four white LEDs (typically 0.1g each). The FPC (flexible printed circuit) cable, which is usually 0.1mm to 0.2mm thick and 20mm to 30mm long, contributes only about 0.3 to 0.5 grams. Finally, the PCB driver board, if included, adds the most variability: a standard 2-layer FR4 board measuring 30mm x 20mm x 1.6mm weighs about 2.5 to 3.0 grams, depending on the copper thickness (1oz vs 2oz) and the number of components (capacitors, resistors, the IC, and the connector).

But weight isn't just a static number—it changes based on the interface type and additional features. For example, a module with a full 8-bit parallel MCU interface (like the 8080 or 6800 mode) will have a slightly heavier PCB because it needs more traces and a larger connector (typically a 40-pin or 50-pin header). This can push the weight to 9.5 to 11.0 grams. In contrast, a pure SPI module (4-wire or 3-wire) uses a smaller PCB and a 6-pin or 8-pin header, keeping the weight under 7.0 grams. Modules with a touchscreen overlay (resistive or capacitive) add another 2.0 to 4.0 grams because of the additional glass or plastic layer, the ITO (indium tin oxide) coating, and the flexible tail. A resistive touch panel alone weighs about 1.8 grams, while a capacitive touch panel with a cover lens can weigh 3.5 grams.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the weight distribution for a typical 2.4 inch IPS display module, based on measurements from multiple suppliers like Winstar, Newhaven Display, and DisplayModule:

Table 1: Weight breakdown of a 2.4 inch IPS display module (240x320, SPI interface, with PCB)

Component | Weight (grams) | Percentage of total | Notes
2.4 inch IPS glass panel | 2.6 | 33% | 0.5mm thick, 40mm x 52mm
Backlight unit (LEDs + light guide + diffusers) | 1.8 | 23% | 2 LEDs, 0.3mm thick LGP
FPC cable (20mm long, 0.1mm thick) | 0.4 | 5% | 18-pin, 0.5mm pitch
PCB driver board (FR4, 1.6mm thick) | 2.8 | 36% | 30mm x 20mm, 1oz copper, with ILI9341 IC
Connector (6-pin header, male) | 0.2 | 3% | 2.54mm pitch, pin length 10mm
Total | 7.8 | 100% | Average for a standard module

Now, let’s talk about real-world implications of this weight. If you’re designing a portable device—like a handheld game console, a smartwatch, or a medical monitor—every gram counts. A 2.4 inch IPS display at 7.8 grams is actually quite light compared to older TFTs with CCFL backlights (which could weigh 15 to 20 grams for the same size). The use of LED backlights and thinner glass (0.5mm instead of 0.7mm) has cut weight by nearly 40% over the past decade. For battery-powered devices, the weight also affects the mechanical design: you need a stronger bezel or frame to hold the display, which adds another 2 to 5 grams. But because the display itself is under 10 grams, you can use plastic snap-fits or adhesive tapes instead of metal screws, saving additional weight.

Another factor is the tolerance in manufacturing. Different batches from the same factory can vary by ±0.5 grams due to variations in the thickness of the glass (0.5mm ±0.1mm), the amount of solder paste on the PCB, and the exact length of the FPC cable. For example, a batch with 0.6mm glass will weigh about 0.5 grams more. The backlight LEDs also vary: some modules use 2 chips (0.1g each), while others use 4 chips (0.2g each), adding 0.2 grams. The PCB copper thickness can range from 0.5oz to 2oz, changing the weight by 0.3 to 0.8 grams. So, if you’re specifying a display for a product, you should always request a weight tolerance from the supplier, typically ±1.0 gram for a 2.4 inch module.

Let’s compare the weight of a 2.4 inch IPS display to other common display sizes in the same family:

Table 2: Weight comparison of small IPS displays (with PCB, SPI interface)

Display size | Resolution | Typical weight (grams) | Glass thickness | Notes
1.3 inch | 240x240 | 3.2 | 0.5mm | Smallest common IPS, used in wearables
1.5 inch | 240x240 | 4.1 | 0.5mm | Slightly larger active area
1.8 inch | 128x160 | 5.0 | 0.6mm | Older TFT, often heavier due to thicker glass
2.0 inch | 240x320 | 6.0 | 0.5mm | Common in industrial panels
2.4 inch | 240x320 | 7.8 | 0.5mm | Most popular size for hobbyists and prototypes
2.8 inch | 240x320 | 10.5 | 0.6mm | Larger active area, thicker glass
3.2 inch | 320x480 | 15.0 | 0.7mm | Heavier due to larger glass and more LEDs

Notice that the weight scales roughly linearly with the diagonal size, but not exactly. The 2.4 inch display is about 30% heavier than the 2.0 inch, but the active area is 44% larger (36.72mm x 48.96mm vs 30.6mm x 40.8mm). This is because the glass and backlight thickness don’t change much—the extra weight comes from the larger area. For the 2.4 inch, the active area is 1798 mm², while the 2.0 inch is 1248 mm², so the weight per square mm is about 0.0043 grams for the 2.4 inch and 0.0048 grams for the 2.0 inch. This slight difference is due to the PCB being the same size for both (many suppliers use a standard 30mm x 20mm board for all 2.0 to 2.4 inch modules).

What about the impact of the interface on weight? Let’s look at the same 2.4 inch panel but with different driver boards:

Table 3: Weight of a 2.4 inch IPS display with different interfaces (same glass panel)

The RGB interface version is the heaviest because it needs a larger PCB to accommodate the 24-bit or 18-bit data lines, a timing controller, and often a separate power regulator. The SPI version is the lightest because it uses a simple serial bus and a small connector. If you’re weight-sensitive, always go for the SPI version. For example, the 2.4 inch 240x320 ips display from DisplayModule is specifically designed for low weight—it uses a 4-wire SPI interface, a compact PCB, and a 6-pin header, keeping the total at 7.8 grams. This makes it ideal for drone cameras, wearable devices, and portable instruments where every gram matters.

Let’s dive into material science for a moment. The glass used in these displays is typically soda-lime glass or borosilicate glass. Soda-lime glass has a density of 2.5 g/cm³, while borosilicate (used in some high-temperature or chemical-resistant displays) is 2.23 g/cm³. So, if a manufacturer switches to borosilicate, the glass weight drops by about 10%—from 2.6 grams to 2.34 grams. The backlight light guide plate is usually made of PMMA (acrylic), which has a density of 1.18 g/cm³, or polycarbonate, at 1.2 g/cm³. A 0.3mm thick LGP for a 2.4 inch display weighs about 0.7 grams. The diffuser films (usually PET, density 1.38 g/cm³) add another 0.2 grams. The LEDs themselves are tiny: a 0603 package LED (1.6mm x 0.8mm) weighs about 0.05 grams each, so two LEDs add 0.1 grams.

The FPC cable is made of polyimide (density 1.42 g/cm³) with copper traces (density 8.96 g/cm³). A typical 18-pin, 0.5mm pitch FPC with 0.1mm thick polyimide and 0.035mm thick copper has a total thickness of 0.17mm. For a 20mm long, 10mm wide cable, the volume is 34 mm³, and the weight is about 0.048 grams for the polyimide and 0.012 grams for the copper, totaling 0.06 grams. But the connector (the stiffener and the gold fingers) adds another 0.3 grams, bringing the FPC assembly to 0.36 grams. This is why the FPC weight is listed as 0.4 grams in Table 1.

Now, let’s talk about packaging and shipping. If you’re buying a 2.4 inch IPS display in bulk, the weight per unit is critical for shipping costs. A single module in an anti-static bag (0.5 grams) with a foam insert (2.0 grams) and a cardboard box (5.0 grams) brings the total shipping weight to about 15.3 grams per unit. For 1000 units, that’s 15.3 kg, which affects freight charges. Some suppliers use vacuum-sealed bags with no foam, reducing the packaging weight to 3.0 grams, so the total drops to 10.8 grams per unit. If you’re a manufacturer, you can negotiate with the supplier to use lighter packaging, especially if you’re ordering in volume.

Another angle: thermal management. The weight of the display also affects how it dissipates heat. A 2.4 inch IPS display with a PCB generates about 0.2 to 0.5 watts of heat (depending on the backlight brightness and the controller IC). The glass and PCB act as heat sinks. A heavier PCB (with more copper) can dissipate heat better, but it also adds weight. For a device that runs continuously, you might want a heavier PCB (2oz copper) to keep the temperature down, even though it adds 0.5 grams. For a battery-powered device that runs intermittently, a lighter PCB (1oz copper) is fine.

Let’s look at real-world examples of products using this display and how the weight affects the design:

Table 4: Products using a 2.4 inch IPS display and their total weight

Product | Display weight (grams) | Total device weight (grams) | Display weight percentage
Handheld game console (e.g., Gamebuino) | 7.8 | 85 | 9.2%
Smartwatch prototype (3D printed case) | 7.8 | 45 | 17.3%
Drone camera FPV monitor | 7.8 | 120 | 6.5%
Portable oscilloscope (e.g., DSO138) | 7.8 | 150 | 5.2%
Medical pulse oximeter | 7.8 | 60 | 13.0%
Weather station (indoor) | 7.8 | 200 | 3.9%

In the smartwatch, the display is 17% of the total weight, so reducing the display weight by even 1 gram (by using a thinner glass or a smaller PCB) would make a noticeable difference on the wrist. In the drone monitor, the display is only 6.5%, so weight is less critical, but the overall device is still affected by the display’s weight distribution. For the medical device, the display weight is 13%, and it’s often mounted on a flexible arm, so a lighter display reduces the strain on the arm mechanism.

One more data point: the weight of the controller IC. The ILI9341, which is the most common controller for 2.4 inch IPS displays, comes in a QFP package (48-pin or 54-pin) that weighs about 0.2 grams. The ST7789 (a newer alternative) is in a QFN package (32-pin or 40-pin) and weighs 0.15 grams. The difference is small, but if you’re building a thousand units, it adds up. The IC also has a thermal pad that adds a bit of weight, but it’s negligible in the overall scheme.

Finally, let’s address a common misconception: some people think that a 2.4 inch IPS display with a higher resolution (like 320x480) would be heavier. But the resolution doesn’t affect the weight directly—the glass and backlight are the same size. The only difference is the controller IC (which might be a different model, but still weighs about 0.2 grams) and the PCB (which might need more traces, but the size is usually the same). So, a 240x320 and a 320x480 2.4 inch IPS display have nearly identical weights, within 0.3 grams.

In summary, the weight of a 2.4 inch IPS display is a well-defined number that depends on the specific components, but you can rely on the 6.5 to 8.2 gram range for most standard modules. If you need a precise weight for your design, always measure a sample from your chosen supplier, because variations in glass thickness, PCB copper weight, and FPC length can shift the weight by up to 1.5 grams. For the lightest option, choose a module with an SPI interface, a 0.5mm glass, and a

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