waveshare 5" Capacitive Touch Display for Raspberry Pi

Waveshare's 5-inch capacitive touch display is a DSI-connected 800×480 touchscreen built for Raspberry Pi models, offering 5-point touch and tempered-glass durability.

Compact and purpose-made, this Waveshare 5" display connects via the Raspberry Pi DSI port to deliver a native 800×480 image with up to 60Hz refresh. Its capacitive glass supports five simultaneous touch points, while software backlight control and broad OS compatibility make it a convenient upgrade for DIY projects, kiosks, or desktop Pi setups. The tempered cover glass increases scratch resistance and helps protect the panel during handling and everyday use.

Which Raspberry Pi models work with this Waveshare 5" screen?

This display is designed to plug into the official DSI connector found on most Pi boards. It supports Raspberry Pi 5, 4B, 3B+, 3A+, 3B, 2B, B+, A+, and CM3/3+/4; note that Compute Module installations require an extra adapter board.

• Direct DSI connection to Pi 5/4B/3B+/3A+/3B/2B/B+/A+
• CM3/3+/4 compatibility with adapter board (sold separately)
• No driver needed for Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, Kali, or RetroPie

How good is the image quality and touch responsiveness?

The panel’s native 800×480 resolution yields sharp, readable text and clear UI elements on a 5-inch canvas. The capacitive layer supports five-point touch for gestures and multi-touch controls, and the display runs at up to 60Hz for smooth motion in most projects.

• Hardware resolution: 800 × 480 pixels
• Refresh capability up to 60Hz for smoother animations
• 5-point capacitive touch for multi-finger interactions
• Tempered glass with ~6H hardness for surface protection

What operating systems and features are available when used with Raspberry Pi?

When paired with a compatible Raspberry Pi, the Waveshare 5" display works out of the box with common Pi distributions, so you can use it without installing extra drivers in many cases. Software control includes adjustable backlight brightness and full touch support on supported OS builds.

• Compatible with Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, Kali, RetroPie without additional drivers
• Backlight brightness configurable through software on supported systems
• User manual available online for setup and configuration steps

How durable and easy to integrate is this touchscreen into projects?

The front glass is tempered to resist scratches and everyday wear, making the display suitable for portable devices, educational kits, or tabletop controllers. Physical integration is straightforward via the DSI port; mounting options and an available adapter for Compute Modules broaden its use.

• Tempered glass touch panel with approximately 6H surface hardness
• Compact 5" form factor for small enclosures or HAT-style mounts
• DSI interface keeps GPIO pins free for other peripherals

Who is this for? Makers, educators, hobbyists, and small-scale product developers looking for a compact, responsive touchscreen for Raspberry Pi projects will find this Waveshare 5" display a practical choice. It’s especially suited to interactive prototypes, portable Pi consoles, point-of-sale experiments, information displays, and classroom kits where a solid balance of touch functionality, ease of connection, and surface durability is required. Check the online manual before installation to confirm your Pi revision and any adapter needs.