If you connect your Raspberry Pi to a display, you’re probably using HDMI. After all, it’s the current standard for device-to-display connections. But did you know there are various other ways that you can connect your Raspberry Pi to a monitor or TV?

HDMI, DSI, GPIO, and other options are available. Some are limited to specific Raspberry Pi models; some are suitable for every Raspberry Pi computer. Let’s take a look at all the ways you can connect a Raspberry Pi to a TV, monitor, or compact display.

1. All Raspberry Pis Have HDMI

Raspberry Pi B, Raspberry Pi 3, and Raspberry Pi Zero WH

Unless you’re using your Raspberry Pi in headless mode (that is, without a display) you’ll need a monitor. One of the most important cables you can use with the Pi is a good quality HDMI cable.

Each Model A, B, and Zero Raspberry Pi board comes equipped with an HDMI connector. Consequently, anyone can easily connect the device to their living room television or any other modern desktop monitor.

Note that on the Raspberry Pi Zero, you will need a mini HDMI adapter. This isn’t the only version that requires an adapter to use HDMI, however.

2. Dual Display HDMI with Pi 4/400

The Raspberry Pi 400 ports

If you own a Raspberry Pi 4 or the Raspberry Pi 400 (that’s the one that looks like a keyboard) you probably know HDMI is via one or two micro-HDMI ports.

But why two ports?

Well, it’s simple. Raspberry Pi 4/400 computers support dual display setups, and up to 4K at 60FPS. That means you can easily use the little computer as a dual display desktop replacement.

Note that when using the Raspberry Pi 4 and 400 computers in single display mode, only one output works. Connect your display to the micro-HDMI port closest to the USB Type-C power input.

3. Connect a Touchscreen Display via DSI

Raspberry Pi touchscreen mounted

While HDMI is the obvious means of connecting a display to your Raspberry Pi, various alternatives are available. Perhaps most popular is the Display Serial Interface, or DSI.

Designed to enable touch controls, DSI is a feature of smartphones and tablets, and is present on all Raspberry Pi A and B models (but not Raspberry Pi Zero). Connectivity is with a ribbon cable, which transfers video data to the display and touch data to the Raspberry Pi.

Various Raspberry Pi touchscreens are available, including the official 7-inch display. It’s straightforward to connect this display, although it can get fiddly if you have larger hands. Our guide to setting up the Raspberry Pi Touchscreen provides you with full instructions.

4. Some Raspberry Pi Displays Connect Over GPIO

Raspberry Pi GPIO display

The General Purpose Input/Output pin array (known as GPIO) on the Raspberry Pi can also handle video signals. Various LCDs are available with a GPIO interface. Typically, these are smaller displays, usually 3.5 inches, but with touchscreen support.

Setting up a GPIO display is a little trickier than simply connecting the devices. You’ll need a standard HDMI monitor to get started, along with a mouse and keyboard to install the device driver. (You can also connect over SSH if you’ve pre-configured your Raspberry Pi’s network settings.) A standard Raspberry Pi Model B board will require risers to mount the display, and an extended GPIO header adapter.

With the software driver installed, and the orientation set correctly, you’ll be ready to use your GPIO Raspberry Pi display.

Note that this solution isn’t suitable for a Raspberry Pi 400 without a GPIO breakout board or adapter.

5. Original Raspberry Pis Have an RCA Port

Original Raspberry Pi with RCA port

Released in 2012, the original Raspberry Pi featured an RCA port. This composite video out is an alternative to the Pi’s HDMI port, offering compatibility with older TVs and displays.

While HDMI adapters can be employed (such as HDMI to VGA), composite video on an RCA jack can be connected to TVs going back decades.

So, if you have an original Raspberry Pi, the RCA port is another way you can connect to a display.

6. All in One Audio and Video: The TRRS Port

Raspberry Pi TRRS port

The RCA port was retired with the Raspberry Pi B+, released in 2014. Every B board since then has featured a 3.5 mm TRRS port. TRRS refers to “Tip, Ring, Ring, Sleeve” the three parts of a phone connector. (Note that the original Raspberry Pi also had a 3.5 mm port, but this was audio only.)

Raspberry Pis use the CTIA-style AV TRRS standard, similar to older MP3 players (e.g. iPod, Zune), and Xbox 360. Looking at compatible TRRS connector, the tip handles the left channel, ring 1 the right channel audio, ring 2 the ground, and the sleeve carries composite (CVBS) video.

TRRS provides multiple media output options, not least the easy use of a TRRS to RCA cable or adapter.

On a Raspberry Pi B+ to Raspberry Pi 3 B+, the TRRS port is between the CSI ribbon port and the Ethernet port. On the Raspberry Pi 4, the TRRS is situated between the CSI port and the USB 2.1 ports.

7. Use the Raspberry Pi Zero's TV-out

Raspberry Pi Zero RCA

Raspberry Pi Zero boards appear to be short of options for video out. There is no GPIO, for example, and no TRRS port. But it’s not as bad as you think.

For starters, you can add a GPIO pin array to the Pi Zero boards. This can either be soldered, or you can use solderless, hammer-in pin headers. Meanwhile, there is also a TV out feature. This is a pair of contact points that an RCA cable or jack can be connected to.

On the Raspberry Pi Zero 1.2 and 1.3, the TV contacts are found near Raspberry Pi logo:

TV pin out on Raspberry Pi Zero

Meanwhile, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 has two contacts on the flip side of the mini-HDMI port:

TV solder pad on Raspberry Pi Zero 2

With the Raspberry Pi Zero 1.2 and 1.3, it is more straightforward to simply solder a pair of pins. For the Raspberry Pi Zero 2, however, you will need to solder onto the contact points, without pins.

Our guide to connecting a Raspberry Pi Zero to a TV without HDMI provides full steps.

Connect a Raspberry Pi to Any Display You Own

By now, you should be aware of the various options you have for connecting a Raspberry Pi to almost any display of your choosing.

To recap, those options are as follows:

  • HDMI
  • Dual Display HDMI with Pi 4/400
  • DSI
  • GPIO
  • RCA
  • TRRS
  • TV-out

It’s quite a range of options, and is testament to the complete flexibility of the Raspberry Pi. You might connect it to a TV one day, switch to a touchscreen display the next, or even an older TV with RCA inputs.

Every purpose from standard computer to media center to retro gaming system is covered, and probably more besides.