Turtle Commands Guide

This guide provides an overview of the most common turtle graphics commands in Python, with simple examples for each.

Getting Started

Before you can use turtle commands, you need to import the turtle module and create a turtle object.

import turtle

# Create a turtle object
my_turtle = turtle.Turtle()

To keep the window open after the turtle finishes drawing, use:

turtle.exitonclick()

Movement Commands

forward(distance)

Moves the turtle forward by the specified distance (in pixels).

my_turtle.forward(100)  # Moves forward by 100 units

backward(distance)

Moves the turtle backward by the specified distance.

my_turtle.backward(50)  # Moves backward by 50 units

left(angle)

Turns the turtle counterclockwise by the specified angle (in degrees).

my_turtle.left(90)  # Turns left by 90 degrees

right(angle)

Turns the turtle clockwise by the specified angle.

my_turtle.right(45)  # Turns right by 45 degrees

goto(x, y)

Moves the turtle to the specified (x, y) coordinates.

my_turtle.goto(100, 200)  # Moves to coordinates (100, 200)

setheading(angle)

Sets the turtle’s heading (direction) to the specified angle (0 is east, 90 is north, etc.).

my_turtle.setheading(180)  # Sets heading to 180 degrees (west)

circle(radius, extent=None, steps=None)

Draws a circle with the specified radius. Optional arguments extent (portion of the circle) and steps (number of sides in the polygon) can be used to modify the circle.

my_turtle.circle(50)  # Draws a full circle with radius 50
my_turtle.circle(50, 180)  # Draws a half circle with radius 50

Pen Control Commands

penup()

Lifts the pen, so moving the turtle will not draw anything.

my_turtle.penup()  # Lifts the pen

pendown()

Lowers the pen to start drawing again after it was lifted.

my_turtle.pendown()  # Puts the pen down to resume drawing

pensize(width)

Sets the width of the turtle’s pen.

my_turtle.pensize(5)  # Sets pen width to 5 pixels

pencolor(color)

Sets the pen color. You can use color names (e.g., 'red', 'blue') or RGB values.

my_turtle.pencolor('blue')  # Sets pen color to blue
my_turtle.pencolor(0.5, 0.2, 0.7)  # Sets pen color using RGB values

fillcolor(color)

Sets the fill color used for shapes.

my_turtle.fillcolor('yellow')  # Sets fill color to yellow

begin_fill()

Marks the start of a shape to be filled.

my_turtle.begin_fill()  # Begin filling a shape

end_fill()

Fills the shape that was marked with begin_fill().

my_turtle.end_fill()  # Fill the shape

Turtle State Commands

speed(speed)

Sets the turtle’s speed. Values range from 1 (slowest) to 10 (fastest), or 0 for an instantaneous drawing.

my_turtle.speed(5)  # Sets speed to 5
my_turtle.speed(0)  # Maximum speed (instant drawing)

shape(shape)

Changes the turtle’s shape. Available shapes include 'arrow', 'turtle', 'circle', 'square', 'triangle', and 'classic'.

my_turtle.shape('turtle')  # Sets shape to turtle

stamp()

Leaves an impression of the turtle’s shape at the current location.

my_turtle.stamp()  # Leaves a stamp of the turtle's current position

clear()

Clears all drawings but does not reset the turtle’s position or heading.

my_turtle.clear()  # Clears the drawing

reset()

Clears all drawings and resets the turtle to the starting position and heading.

my_turtle.reset()  # Clears the drawing and resets turtle position

hideturtle()

Hides the turtle’s icon (it can still draw, but the turtle shape is invisible).

my_turtle.hideturtle()  # Hides the turtle icon

showturtle()

Shows the turtle’s icon if it was hidden.

my_turtle.showturtle()  # Shows the turtle icon again

Utility Commands

home()

Moves the turtle back to the origin (0, 0) and resets the heading to the default (facing east).

my_turtle.home()  # Moves back to (0, 0) and resets heading

write(text, move=False, align='left', font=('Arial', 8, 'normal'))

Writes text at the turtle’s position. Optional arguments allow you to specify if the turtle should move after writing, the alignment, and the font.

my_turtle.write("Hello, Turtle!", align="center", font=("Arial", 16, "bold"))

Ending Commands

exitonclick()

Keeps the turtle graphics window open until it is clicked. This is essential to prevent the window from closing immediately after the program finishes.

turtle.exitonclick()  # Closes the window when clicked

Full Example

Here is a complete example that demonstrates multiple commands from this guide:

import turtle

# Create a turtle object
my_turtle = turtle.Turtle()

# Set pen size and color
my_turtle.pensize(3)
my_turtle.pencolor('blue')

# Draw a square
for _ in range(4):
    my_turtle.forward(100)
    my_turtle.right(90)

# Move to a new location without drawing
my_turtle.penup()
my_turtle.goto(-150, 100)
my_turtle.pendown()

# Draw a filled circle
my_turtle.fillcolor('yellow')
my_turtle.begin_fill()
my_turtle.circle(50)
my_turtle.end_fill()

# Write text
my_turtle.penup()
my_turtle.goto(0, -50)
my_turtle.pendown()
my_turtle.write("Turtle Graphics!", align="center", font=("Arial", 24, "bold"))

# Exit on click
turtle.exitonclick()