diff --git a/src/raspi_poe_mon/ctrl.py b/src/raspi_poe_mon/ctrl.py
index e81bfdb..b2a0a42 100644
--- a/src/raspi_poe_mon/ctrl.py
+++ b/src/raspi_poe_mon/ctrl.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ def __init__(
         fan_on_temp=60.0,
         fan_off_temp=50.0,
         frame_time=2.0,
+        brightness=100,
         dry_run=False,
         profiling=False,
     ):
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.fan_off_temp = fan_off_temp
         self.frame_time = frame_time
         self.profiling = profiling
-        self.poe_hat = PoeHat(dry_run=dry_run)
+        self.poe_hat = PoeHat(dry_run=dry_run, brightness=brightness)
         self.display = IpDisplay(self.poe_hat)
         self._frame_counter = 0
         self._terminate = False
diff --git a/src/raspi_poe_mon/main.py b/src/raspi_poe_mon/main.py
index 2d38bba..ee5c16f 100644
--- a/src/raspi_poe_mon/main.py
+++ b/src/raspi_poe_mon/main.py
@@ -62,6 +62,10 @@ def run(
         float,
         typer.Option(help="update the display every n seconds")
     ] = 2.0,
+    brightness: Annotated[
+        int,
+        typer.Option(min=0, max=100, help="brightness level of the display in percent")
+    ] = 50,
     verbose: Annotated[
         bool,
         typer.Option(help="log detailed status information")
@@ -88,6 +92,7 @@ def run(
         fan_on_temp=fan_on_temp,
         fan_off_temp=fan_off_temp,
         frame_time=frame_time,
+        brightness=brightness,
         dry_run=dry,
         profiling=profiling,
     )
diff --git a/src/raspi_poe_mon/poe_hat.py b/src/raspi_poe_mon/poe_hat.py
index 336d64d..6e3b588 100644
--- a/src/raspi_poe_mon/poe_hat.py
+++ b/src/raspi_poe_mon/poe_hat.py
@@ -11,8 +11,9 @@
 
 class PoeHat:
 
-    def __init__(self, dry_run=False) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, dry_run=False, brightness=100) -> None:
         self.dry_run = dry_run
+        self.brightness = brightness
         self.i2c_fan: Optional[serial.i2c] = None
         self.i2c_display: Optional[serial.i2c] = None
         self.display: Optional[device.ssd1306] = None
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ def display_connect(self, force=False):
             self.i2c_display = serial.i2c(port=1, address=0x3C)
         if force or self.display is None:
             self.display = device.ssd1306(serial_interface=self.i2c_display, width=128, height=32)
+            self.display.contrast(int(255 * self.brightness / 100))
 
     def display_clear(self):
         self.display_connect()