How to Make 8x32 Scrolling LED Display Using MAX7219 Display and Arduino

Scrolling LED displays are eye-catching and very useful in many DIY electronics projects. In this project, you will learn how to make a scrolling display using a MAX7219 LED matrix and Arduino in a simple and beginner-friendly way. The MAX7219 is a popular LED driver IC that allows you to control multiple LED matrix modules using very few Arduino pins, making the wiring clean and easy. With this setup, you can display scrolling text, numbers, and custom messages smoothly without flickering.

This project is ideal for making digital notice boards, name displays, shop signboards, clocks, or decorative electronics projects. You can use Arduino Nano, Arduino Uno, or ESP32 to control the display, and the concept remains almost the same for all boards. In this tutorial, everything is explained step by step, from basic understanding to final output, so even beginners can follow along and successfully build their own scrolling LED display at home.

Components Required

1. MAX7219 LED Matrix Digital Display Module – Used to display scrolling text and patterns.
2. Arduino Nano / Arduino Uno / ESP32 – Acts as the controller for the display (you can use any one of them).
3. Arduino Nano (used in this project) – I am using Arduino Nano because it is compact, affordable, and easy to work with.
4. Jumper Wires (Male to Female) – For connecting the MAX7219 module with the Arduino board.
5. USB Cable – Required to upload the code to the Arduino.
6. Power Source (USB or 5V Supply) – To power the Arduino and MAX7219 module.

Note: If you use ESP32, the process of uploading the code, wire connections, and MAX7219 enclosure fitting is slightly different compared to Arduino Nano or Uno.

In a single MAX7219 LED matrix module, 8 LEDs are arranged in rows and 8 LEDs are arranged in columns, making a total of 64 LEDs. This configuration is commonly known as an 8×8 LED display. In this project, four such 8×8 modules are connected together, which forms a combined 8×32 LED matrix display capable of showing scrolling text and graphics smoothly.

The MAX7219 module uses a simple interface and comes with five input pins: VCC for power supply, GND for ground, DIN (Data In) for receiving data from the Arduino, CS (Chip Select) for selecting the module, and CLK (Clock) for synchronizing data transfer. These pins make the module easy to connect and control using an Arduino board.

First, we need to connect the MAX7219 LED matrix display to the Arduino by following the circuit connections carefully. Proper wiring is very important for the display to work correctly. Connect the VCC pin of the MAX7219 module to the 5V pin of the Arduino and the GND pin to the Arduino GND.

Next, connect the DIN (Data In) pin to digital pin D11, the CS (Chip Select) pin to digital pin D10, and the CLK (Clock) pin to digital pin D13 of the Arduino. After completing these connections as shown in the circuit diagram, the hardware setup for the display will be ready for programming.

1. Connect the Type-B USB cable to the Arduino and plug the other end into your laptop or PC.
2. Open the Arduino IDE software on your computer.
3. Make sure your laptop/PC is connected to the internet, as we need to install a library.
4. Go to Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries.
5. The Library Manager window will open with a search bar.
6. In the search bar, type MD_MAX.
7. Find the MD_MAX72XX library from the list.
8. Choose the latest version and click on Install.
9. Wait few seconds until the library installation is completed.
10. After installation, go to Sketch → Include Library and scroll down to confirm that MD_MAX72XX is visible in the list.
11. Now go to File → Examples and scroll down to MD_MAX72XX.
12. You will see many example codes for different display effects.
13. For scrolling text, open MD_MAX72XX_Message_Serial.
14. Once the code opens, go to Tools → Board and select the board you are using (I selected Arduino Nano).
15. Go to Tools → Port and select the port to which your Arduino is connected.
16. Click on the Upload button.
17. After a few seconds, the code will upload successfully.
18. You will now see the text scrolling on the MAX7219 LED display.

After uploading the code, observe how the text scrolls on the LED display. If the text scrolls smoothly from right to left, then your hardware configuration is correct and no changes are required.

However, if the text appears flipped, mirrored, upside down, or scrolling from bottom to top, this means the hardware type selected in the code does not match your LED matrix module. To fix this, open the uploaded example code and locate the hardware type definition.

Now change the hardware type from PAROLA_HW to one of the following options:

1. GENERIC_HW
2. ICSTATION_HW
3. FC16_HW

There are mainly four common hardware types used with MAX7219 LED matrix modules. Try these hardware types one by one, upload the code each time, and check the display output. One of these hardware types will definitely match your module, and the text will then scroll in the correct direction and orientation.

Now you can edit the text message according to your choice. Simply replace the default text in the code with your name or any message that you want to display on the LED matrix. This allows you to fully customize the scrolling display.

To control the scrolling speed, you can use a 10K 3-pin potentiometer (single channel). Connect the potentiometer to one of the analog input pins of the Arduino (the complete input connections are already mentioned in the code). The potentiometer lets you increase or decrease the scrolling speed smoothly by rotating its knob. After making the changes, upload the code again. Once done, your 8×32 MAX7219 scrolling display will be ready to use. You can also explore and upload other example codes from the library to create different display effects.

To give this project a clean and professional look, I designed and 3D printed a custom enclosure for the MAX7219 scrolling display. The enclosure not only protects the circuit but also makes the display look neat, attractive, and suitable for daily use. With the enclosure, this scrolling display becomes perfect for placing on an office desk, study table, shop counter, or any indoor location.

This is the final result of the project, and it looks much more polished and professional.

NOTE: If you want to order the complete 3D printed enclosure, you can contact me through my email ID given below .

Email id - ergreat2018@gmail.com

In the next tutorial, using the same MAX7219 display, we will modify the circuit and code to change the scrolling text directly from a mobile phone using Bluetooth.

In this project, we successfully built an 8×32 scrolling LED display using a MAX7219 module and Arduino by following a simple, step-by-step approach. From understanding the LED matrix, making proper connections, installing the required library, uploading the code, and fixing display orientation, each step was explained to make the project easy even for beginners. By customizing the text and controlling the scrolling speed, this project becomes both interactive and practical.

With the addition of a 3D printed enclosure, the display looks clean, professional, and ready for real-world use on desks, notice boards, or workspaces. This project is a great foundation for learning LED matrix control and can be expanded further with advanced features like Bluetooth text control from a mobile phone, which will be covered in the next tutorial. Overall, this is a fun, useful, and scalable Arduino project that you can customize in many creative ways.