Python Turtle Module Tutorial

The Python Turtle Module is designed to learn programming in an interactive way. It helps you to draw complex graphics and pictures. 

The Turtle module mainly consists of two classes – TurtleScreen Class and RawTurtle Class.

The TurtleScreen Class helps you to create a Screen Object. 

The Screen Object is a window or drawing board on which you will draw graphics. The Python Turtle Module provides you with some methods which will help you to change the background color, check the size of the window, and also do some other things that you may want to do.

We can create a Screen Object like this :

import turtle
screen=turtle.Screen()

The RawTurtle Class helps you to create a Turtle Object. 

The Turtle Object is an arrow shape pen that will help you to draw pictures on the window. The Python Turtle Module provides you functions with the help of which you can move the turtle in different directions to draw pictures and graphics. You can also do many other things with the turtle like change its shape, change the color, etc.

We can create a Turtle Object like this :

import turtle
new_turtle=turtle.Turtle()

Basic Turtle Program

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
new_turtle=turtle.Turtle()

turtle.done()

The Turtle module is the built-in module of Python. The first line will import the Turtle module.

The second line will define the Screen Object. Now you will be able to use Screen object functions.

The third line will define a Turtle object. Now you will be able to move this object to draw pictures.

The fourth line will call turtle.done() function. This function is necessary and it must be the last statement of every turtle program otherwise your program will not work properly.

Output :

Screen Methods Of Python Turtle Module To Setup The Screen

title(string) = This function helps you to specify the title of the window.

setup(width, height, startx, starty) = With this function, you can specify the height and width of the window. You can also specify where you want to place your window on the monitor screen. The startx parameter helps you with horizontal positioning whereas starty will help with vertical positioning. All parameters are optional and should be an integer.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(250,250,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

turtle.done()

Output :

window_height() = This function will return you the current height of the window.

window_width() = This function returns you the current width of the window.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(300,250,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

print(screen.window_height())
print(screen.window_width())

turtle.done()

Output :

250
300

How To Change The Background Of The Screen

bgcolor() = This function helps you to specify the background color of the window. And if you don’t specify any color, then it will return you the color name or a tuple of three float numbers that define the color of the window.

Example – 1 :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(400,400,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial"))

screen.bgcolor('orange')

turtle.done()

Output :

Example – 2 :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(400,400,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial"))

screen.bgcolor(0.3,0.2,0.6)

turtle.done()

Output :

bgpic(picname) = This function will help you to set the background image of the window. The picname should be a string, gif image name.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(400,400,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

screen.bgpic("GB-wp1.gif")

turtle.done()

Output :

screensize(canvwidth, canvheight, bg) = This function helps you to specify the width and height of the canvas, but it will not change the size of the window. You can also set the background color of the window by passing the bg argument. But if you pass no arguments, then it will return the current width and height of the canvas.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

screen.bgpic("GB-wp1.gif")
screen.screensize(3000,3000,bg='red')

turtle.done()

Output :

How To Take Text And Numbers As Inputs In Python Turtle Program

textinput(title, prompt) = It will pop up a dialog box that will take text as input. This function requires two arguments – the title – which will display at the title bar of the dialog box and the prompt – which is the description that will what kind of info is wanted. Both arguments should be a string type.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(400,400,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

textinput=screen.textinput("Take text input","What's your name ?")
turtle.write(textinput,1,'left')

turtle.done()

Output :

numinput(title, prompt) = This function also works like the textinput() but only accepts a number as input.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(400,400,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

numinput=screen.numinput("Take number input","Type number")
turtle.write(numinput,1,'left')

turtle.done()

Output :

How To Clear And Reset Screen Of Turtle Program

clear() or clearscreen() = This function will delete all drawings and turtles from the screen. It also reset the screen to its initial stage where there is no background color or image and only the white screen left.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
new_turtle = turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

new_turtle.forward(200)
new_turtle.left(90)
new_turtle.forward(200)

screen.clear()
turtle.done()

Output :

reset() or resetscreen() = This function will reset all turtles of the screen to their initial stage.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
new_turtle = turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

new_turtle.forward(200)
new_turtle.left(90)
new_turtle.forward(200)

screen.reset()
turtle.done()

Output :

Screen Methods To Close The Turtle Program

exitonclick() = After using this function, you can close the window by clicking on the screen.

bye() = This function will close the window.

How To Write Text In Python Turtle Program

The write(arg, move, align, font) function will help you to write text at the current turtle position on the turtle screen. You can pass four arguments to this function. The arg argument is mandatory while others are optional.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
new_turtle = turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

new_turtle.write("hey, how are you ?",1,'center', font=("georgia", 20, "italic"))

turtle.done()

Output :

How To Move Turtle And Draw In Python Turtle Program

Following are some functions that will help you to move a turtle and draw something.

forward(distance) = This function will move the turtle forward by the given distance.

backward(distance) = It will move the turtle backward by the given distance.

right(angle) = It turns the turtle right by the given angle.

left(angle) = It turns the turtle left by the given angle.

Example – 1 :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.forward(200)
tt.backward(200)

tt.forward(100)
tt.right(90)

tt.forward(100)
tt.right(90)

tt.forward(100)
tt.right(90)

tt.forward(200)

turtle.done()

Output :

Example – 2 :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

for i in range(0,8):
    tt.forward(80)
    tt.right(45)

turtle.done()

Output :

setx(x) = It will set the x-coordinate of the turtle to the given x.

sety(y) = It will set the y-coordinate of the turtle to the given y.

xcor() = It returns the current x-coordinate of the turtle.

ycor() = It returns the current y-coordinate of the turtle.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.setx(200)
tt.write((tt.xcor(), tt.ycor()))

tt.sety(200)
tt.write((tt.xcor(), tt.ycor()))

tt.setx(0)
tt.write((tt.xcor(), tt.ycor()))

tt.sety(0)
tt.write((tt.xcor(), tt.ycor()))

turtle.done()

Output :

setpos(x,y) or goto(x,y) or setposition(x,y) = These functions will move the turtle without changing its orientation to the absolute position. You have to pass specific x-coordinate and y-coordinate as the arguments of these functions.

position() = This function returns a tuple of current values of the x-coordinate and y-coordinate of the turtle that is telling the location of the turtle.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.setpos(100,100) 
tt.write(tt.position())
 
tt.goto(-100,100)  
tt.write(tt.position()) 

tt.setposition(0,0)  
tt.write(tt.position()) 

turtle.done()

Output :

seth(angle) or setheading(angle) = These functions help you to change the orientation of the turtle. You have to pass angle as an argument.

heading() = It returns you an angle that defines the current orientation of the turtle. 

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.setheading(45)
tt.write(tt.heading())

tt.forward(200)

tt.seth(180)
tt.write(tt.heading())

tt.forward(200)

turtle.done()

Output :

home() = This function will move the turtle to its origin and also change the turtle orientation to its start orientation.

How To Create Dots And Stamps In Python Turtle Program

dot(size, color) = It will draw a dot at the current turtle position with the given size. You can also specify the color of the dot by passing a color name as an argument.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.goto(100,100)
tt.dot(50,'red')

tt.goto(0,200)
tt.dot(50,'green')

tt.home()
tt.dot(50,'blue')

turtle.done()

Output :

stamp() = This function will stamp a copy of the turtle at the current turtle position and returns you a stamp_id that you can use with the clearstamp() function.

clearstamp(stamp_id) = This function will delete the stamp of the given stamp_id.

clearstamps() = It will delete all the stamps from the turtle screen.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.goto(100,100)
first_stamp=tt.stamp()

tt.goto(0,200)
second_stamp=tt.stamp()

tt.home()

tt.clearstamp(first_stamp)
tt.clearstamps()

turtle.done()

Output :

How To Create Circles In Python Turtle Program

circle(radius, extent, steps) = With the help of this function, you can draw a circle on the turtle. You can pass three arguments to this function.

The radius argument is necessary while the other two are optional. 

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.goto(100,100)
first_stamp=tt.stamp()

tt.goto(0,200)
second_stamp=tt.stamp()

tt.home()

tt.clearstamp(first_stamp)
tt.clearstamps()

turtle.done()

Output :

Some Other Important Methods Of Python Turtle Module For Turtle

undo() = This function will undo the previous turtle action. 

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.goto(100,100)
tt.goto(0,200)
tt.home()

for i in range(4):
    tt.undo()

turtle.done()

distance(x,y) = This function will tell you the distance to the position defined by given x and y from the current turtle position. With this function, you can also get the distance between two turtles.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(600,600,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt1=turtle.Turtle()
tt1.setpos(100,100)

tt2=turtle.Turtle()
tt2.setpos(-100,-100)

tt.write(tt1.distance(tt2))

turtle.done()

Output :

speed(speed) = With this function, you can specify the speed of the turtle. The value should be an integer(0 to 10) or a speed string. 

Following are the speed strings and their corresponding integer values that you can use as parameters.

You can use this function like this :

tt=turtle.Turtle()
tt.speed('slowest')

hideturtle() = This function will hide the turtle so that when the turtle moves, you can only see lines drawn by the turtle.

You can use this function like this :

tt.hideturtle()

showturtle() = If the turtle is hidden, then you can use this function to make the turtle visible again.

You can use this function like this :

tt.showturtle()

Pen Methods Of Python Turtle Module

penup() = After calling this function, you can move the turtle but it will not draw any lines.

pendown() = If the pen is up, then you can call this function to again down the pen. After that, the turtle will draw lines while moving.

pensize(width) = This function will help you to specify the width of the lines drawn while moving the turtle.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(500,500,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.pensize(20)
tt.setx(200)

tt.penup()
tt.sety(200)

tt.pendown()
tt.setx(0)

turtle.done()

Output :

pencolor(color) = With this function, you can set the color of the lines. You can pass a color name or a rgb color-tuple as an argument to this function.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(500,500,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.pencolor("yellow")
tt.hideturtle()
tt.pensize(20)

tt.setx(200)

tt.penup()
tt.sety(200)

tt.pendown()
tt.setx(0)

turtle.done()

Output :

How To Fill Color Inside The Drawn Shape

You have to call the following two turtle functions to fill the color inside the shape.

begin_fill() = You have to call this function before starting to draw the shape that you want to fill.

end_fill() = This function will fill the shape that you draw after calling the begin_fill() function. You should call this function after completing the drawing.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(500,500,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.pencolor("yellow")

tt.begin_fill()

tt.pensize(20)
tt.setx(200)

tt.penup()
tt.sety(200)

tt.pendown()
tt.setx(0)

tt.end_fill()

turtle.done()

Output :

fill_color(color) = This function will help you to specify the color that you want to fill inside the shape. You can pass a color name or a rgb color-tuple as an argument to this function. You should call this function before calling begin_fill().

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(500,500,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.pencolor("yellow")
tt.fillcolor("red")

tt.begin_fill()

tt.pensize(20)
tt.setx(200)

tt.penup()
tt.sety(200)

tt.pendown()
tt.setx(0)

tt.end_fill()

turtle.done()

Output :

Short-Hand Methods For Pen

color(color1, color2) = This function helps you to specify the pencolor and fillcolor both at a time. The color1 will use as a pencolor while color2 will use as a fillcolor. If you do not pass any argument, then it returns a tuple of the current pencolor and current fillcolor.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(500,500,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.color('red','yellow')

tt.begin_fill()

tt.pensize(20)
tt.setx(200)

tt.penup()
tt.sety(200)

tt.pendown()
tt.setx(0)

tt.end_fill()

turtle.done()

Output :

pen(shown, pencolor, fillcolor, pensize, speed) = This function is the short-hand function that will help you to specify the values of all pen attributes at a time.

Following is the list of option-value pairs that you can use with this function.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()
tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.setup(500,500,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt.pen(shown=0,pencolor='orange',fillcolor='purple',pensize=30, speed=1)

tt.begin_fill()

tt.setx(200)
tt.penup()

tt.sety(200)
tt.pendown()

tt.setx(0)
tt.end_fill()

turtle.done()

Output :

Events In Python Turtle Module

We can bind both screen and turtle with the functions which will be invoked when the mouse and keyboard events occur.

Functions For Mouse Events On The Turtle

onclick(func, btn, add) = This function will invoke a given func, when the user clicks on the turtle. The func will take the x-coordinate and y-coordinate of the clicked point as the parameters. 

Along with func argument, you can also pass two other arguments to this function. 

The btn – determines the mouse button, by default value is 1(left-mouse-button), and the other parameter add – decides whether you can bind multiple functions or not, the value should be a boolean.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(500,500,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt=turtle.Turtle()
tt.speed(0)

def func(x,y):
    tt.right(x*10)
    tt.forward(y*5)

tt.onclick(func)

turtle.done()

Output :

onrelease(func, btn, add) = All parameters will get the same as the onclick(). But this time, the mouse button release on the turtle will invoke the func function.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(500,500,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt=turtle.Turtle()
tt.speed(3)

def func(x,y):
    tt.right(x*10)
    tt.forward(y*5)

tt.onrelease(func)

turtle.done()

Output :

ondrag(func, btn, add) = This function will bind the turtle with the mouse move event. Dragging the turtle with the mouse will invoke the func function.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(500,500,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt=turtle.Turtle()
tt.speed(0)

tt.ondrag(tt.goto)

turtle.done()

Output :

Functions For The Events On The Screen

onclick(func, btn, add) = This function will call the func when you click the mouse button on the screen.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(500,500,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt=turtle.Turtle()
tt.speed(0)

screen.listen()
screen.onclick(tt.goto)

turtle.done()

Output :

listen() = This function will set focus on the screen for key events.

onkeypress(func, key) = It will call the func when you press the specified key on the keyboard.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(500,500,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt=turtle.Turtle()
tt.speed(0)

def func():
    tt.reset()
    tt.circle(100)

screen.listen()
screen.onkeypress(func,'c')

turtle.done()

Output :

onkeyrelease(func, key) = It will call the func when you release after pressing the specified key on the keyboard.

ontimer(func, t) = This function will call func after every given t milliseconds.

Example :

import turtle

screen=turtle.Screen()

screen.setup(500,500,400,200)
screen.title("Turtle Tutorial")

tt=turtle.Turtle()

screen.listen()

tt.speed("fast")
tt.penup()

def func():
    
    if tt.pos()[0] == 200 and tt.pos()[1] == 0: 
        tt.setheading(90)
    if tt.pos()[0] == 200 and tt.pos()[1] == 200:
        tt.setheading(180)
    if tt.pos()[0] == 0 and tt.pos()[1] == 200: 
        tt.setheading(270)
    if tt.pos()[0] == 0 and tt.pos()[1] == 0:
        tt.clear()
    
    tt.forward(2)
    screen.ontimer(func,1)

screen.onkeyrelease(func,'s')

turtle.done()

Output :

Other General Modules