Python Turtle commands move a cursor around a graphics window, draw with its pen, and control the window and input events. This cheat sheet groups the Turtle and Screen methods by task, gives runnable examples, and includes a print-friendly reference table. The command names and API coverage below follow the Python 3.12.15 Turtle documentation; check documentation matching your Python version when using another release.
Start with a working Turtle script
Use the module namespace in scripts so it is clear where each function comes from and you avoid importing names into the global namespace.
import turtle as t
t.forward(100)
t.left(90)
t.color("blue")
t.width(3)
t.penup()
t.goto(0, 0)
t.pendown()
t.begin_fill()
t.circle(40)
t.end_fill()
t.mainloop()forward(100) moves 100 units in the direction the turtle faces. A turn changes that direction. The pen-up move to (0, 0) does not draw; the circle is filled when end_fill() is called. In a standalone script, mainloop() keeps the window open until the user closes it.
What are the Python turtle commands?
The API includes methods on Turtle objects for movement, drawing, pen state, queries, and turtle events, plus Screen methods for the window, animation, input, and screen events. The tables below are a task-oriented reference to the documented inventory. The official Python 3.12.15 reference gives full signatures and parameter details.
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Move and turn
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
forward(distance), fd(distance) |
Move forward by distance in the current heading. |
backward(distance), back(distance), bk(distance) |
Move backward by distance. |
right(angle), rt(angle) |
Turn right by angle. |
left(angle), lt(angle) |
Turn left by angle. |
goto(x, y), setpos(x, y), setposition(x, y) |
Move to a position. |
teleport(x, y) |
Move to a position without drawing a connecting line. |
setx(x), sety(y) |
Set one coordinate while preserving the other. |
setheading(angle), seth(angle) |
Set the turtle’s heading. |
home() |
Return to the origin and default heading. |
circle(radius) |
Draw a circle or arc using the specified radius. |
Draw, change the pen, and manage marks
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
pendown(), pd(), down() |
Put the pen down so movement draws. |
penup(), pu(), up() |
Lift the pen so movement does not draw. |
isdown() |
Return whether the pen is down. |
color(...) |
Set pen and fill color together, or query color state. |
pencolor(...) |
Set or query the pen color. |
fillcolor(...) |
Set or query the fill color. |
width(width), pensize(width) |
Set or query pen width. |
begin_fill(), end_fill() |
Mark the start and completion of a filled shape. |
filling() |
Return whether a fill sequence is active. |
shape(name) |
Set or query the turtle cursor shape. |
shapesize(...), turtlesize(...) |
Set or query the turtle shape’s stretch and outline. |
shapetransform(...), shearfactor(...) |
Transform or shear the turtle shape. |
tilt(angle), tiltangle(...), settiltangle(...) |
Change or query the shape’s tilt. |
resizemode(...) |
Set or query how the turtle shape responds to pen size and stretch. |
speed(speed) |
Set or query animation speed. |
dot(size, color) |
Draw a dot. |
stamp(), clearstamp(stampid), clearstamps(...) |
Stamp the turtle shape and remove one or more stamps. |
undo() |
Undo the most recent action where undo history is available. |
Read turtle position and state
| Command | What it returns |
|---|---|
position(), pos() |
Current position. |
xcor(), ycor() |
Current x or y coordinate. |
heading() |
Current heading. |
towards(x, y) |
Heading from the turtle toward a point. |
distance(x, y) |
Distance to a point or turtle. |
pencolor(), fillcolor(), width(), speed() |
Current pen or speed settings when called without a new value. |
Turtle events, polygons, and object methods
onclick(fun),onrelease(fun), andondrag(fun)connect a turtle to mouse events.begin_poly(),end_poly(), andget_poly()record and retrieve a polygon.clone()creates a copy of a turtle.getpen()andgetscreen()access the associated pen and screen.get_shapepoly()reads a shape’s polygon.setundobuffer(size)andundobufferentries()configure or inspect undo history.
Screen and window commands
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
bgcolor(...) |
Set or query the background color. |
bgpic(...) |
Set or query the background image. |
clearscreen() |
Clear the screen and reset turtles. |
resetscreen() |
Reset the turtles on the screen. |
screensize(...) |
Set or query the canvas dimensions. |
setworldcoordinates(llx, lly, urx, ury) |
Set the coordinate system for the screen. |
setup(...) |
Set up the window size and placement. |
title(titlestring) |
Set the window title. |
bye() |
Close the Turtle graphics window. |
exitonclick() |
Close the window after a click. |
window_height(), window_width() |
Query screen window dimensions. |
getcanvas() |
Access the underlying canvas. |
Animation, events, and input
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
delay(milliseconds) |
Set or query animation delay. |
tracer(n, delay) |
Control screen update frequency and delay. |
update() |
Update the screen. |
listen() |
Give the screen focus for keyboard events. |
onkey(fun, key), onkeyrelease(fun, key) |
Bind a function to a key event. |
onkeypress(fun, key) |
Bind a function to a key press. |
onclick(fun), onscreenclick(fun) |
Bind a function to a screen click. |
ontimer(fun, t) |
Schedule a function after a time interval. |
mainloop(), done() |
Start the event loop. |
textinput(title, prompt) |
Show a text input dialog. |
numinput(title, prompt, ...) |
Show a numeric input dialog. |
Settings and shapes
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
mode(mode) |
Set or query standard, logo, or world mode. |
colormode(cmode) |
Set or query the color interpretation mode. |
getshapes() |
List registered shape names. |
register_shape(name, ...), addshape(name, ...) |
Register a shape for use by turtles. |
turtles() |
Return turtles on the screen. |
Several commands are aliases: for example, forward() and fd() are equivalent, as are left() and lt(). Prefer long names in explanations and short aliases when compact code is useful. The linked reference provides parameter options and distinctions not expanded in this summary.
How do I move the turtle forward and draw a shape?
For a square, repeat one side and one right-angle turn four times:
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import turtle as t
for _ in range(4):
t.forward(100)
t.left(90)
t.mainloop()The loop uses the same movement commands as the starter script. The turtle draws while its pen is down, which is the default state; use penup() before repositioning without a line and pendown() to resume drawing.
How do I change the pen color or line width?
Use color() to set pen and fill color together, or pencolor() and fillcolor() independently. width(3) changes the pen width. To fill a shape, call begin_fill() before tracing its boundary and end_fill() afterward; the fill operation completes at the latter call.
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Procedural functions or Turtle and Screen objects?
| Style | Best fit | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural functions | A quick first experiment | Functions act on the default turtle and screen, so setup is brief but the target object is implicit. |
Turtle and Screen objects |
Scripts that need clearer ownership or multiple turtles | Commands are called on the object they affect, making larger programs easier to organize. |
The module supports both interfaces. A namespace-qualified import such as import turtle as t keeps calls explicit without importing every name. The Python documentation describes Turtle as a way for learners to see programming concepts through immediate visual feedback.
How do I keep the Turtle window open?
Call mainloop() (also named done()) after drawing in a standalone script. With an object-oriented setup, call the screen’s event loop, as in screen.mainloop(). The event loop lets the window remain available to receive events rather than ending with the drawing commands.
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Why does Python say _tkinter is missing?
Turtle graphics uses Tk for its window. The Python documentation notes that an unavailable _tkinter component means the Tk interface package may need to be installed. Whether Tk is included depends on the Python distribution and platform, so consult the installation guidance for the Python build you use rather than assuming the Turtle module itself is absent.
Print-friendly reference
For a compact printable reference, print this page and use the task tables as the command index. For exact signatures and version-specific details, use the Python 3.12.15 Turtle reference.
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