Create a Real‑Time Analog Clock with Python Turtle

Program Introduction

Python provides a simple way to create graphical programs using the built‑in Turtle module. Turtle can draw lines, circles, and text, making it ideal for beginners to learn basic graphics programming.

Core Concepts

A Turtle object is created when the module is imported. Its initial position is at the center of the window (0,0) facing right. When the pen is down, moving the turtle draws a line from the previous position to the new one.

In this tutorial we will build an analog clock that shows the current time.

Key Functions

Skip(step) – lifts the pen, moves forward by step, then puts the pen down.

def Skip(step):
    turtle.penup()
    turtle.forward(step)
    turtle.pendown()

mkHand(name, length) – registers a custom shape for a clock hand.

def mkHand(name, length):
    turtle.reset()
    Skip(-length * 0.1)
    turtle.begin_poly()
    turtle.forward(length * 1.1)
    turtle.end_poly()
    handForm = turtle.get_poly()
    turtle.register_shape(name, handForm)

Init() – creates three hand turtles (second, minute, hour) and a printer turtle for text.

def Init():
    global secHand, minHand, hurHand, printer
    turtle.mode("logo")
    mkHand("secHand", 135)
    mkHand("minHand", 125)
    mkHand("hurHand", 90)
    secHand = turtle.Turtle()
    secHand.shape("secHand")
    minHand = turtle.Turtle()
    minHand.shape("minHand")
    hurHand = turtle.Turtle()
    hurHand.shape("hurHand")
    printer = turtle.Turtle()
    printer.hideturtle()
    printer.penup()

Week(t) and Date(t) format the current weekday and date.

def Week(t):
    week = ["Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday", "Sunday"]
    return week[t.weekday()]

def Date(t):
    y = t.year
    m = t.month
    d = t.day
    return "%s %02d-%02d" % (y, m, d)

Tick() updates the hands and displays the time.

def Tick():
    t = datetime.today()
    second = t.second + t.microsecond * 0.000001
    minute = t.minute + second / 60.0
    hour = t.hour + minute / 60.0
    secHand.setheading(6 * second)
    minHand.setheading(6 * minute)
    hurHand.setheading(30 * hour)
    turtle.tracer(False)
    printer.forward(65)
    printer.write(Week(t), align="center", font=("Courier", 14, "bold"))
    printer.back(130)
    printer.write(Date(t), align="center", font=("Courier", 14, "bold"))
    printer.home()
    turtle.tracer(True)
    turtle.ontimer(Tick, 100)

SetupClock(radius) draws the clock face with hour marks.

def SetupClock(radius):
    turtle.reset()
    turtle.pensize(7)
    for i in range(60):
        Skip(radius)
        if i % 5 == 0:
            turtle.forward(20)
            Skip(-radius - 20)
            Skip(radius + 20)
            if i == 0:
                turtle.write(12, align="center", font=("Courier", 14, "bold"))
            elif i == 30:
                Skip(25)
                turtle.write(int(i/5), align="center", font=("Courier", 14, "bold"))
                Skip(-25)
            elif i == 25 or i == 35:
                Skip(20)
                turtle.write(int(i/5), align="center", font=("Courier", 14, "bold"))
                Skip(-20)
            else:
                turtle.write(int(i/5), align="center", font=("Courier", 14, "bold"))
            Skip(-radius - 20)
        else:
            turtle.dot(5)
            Skip(-radius)
        turtle.right(6)

Finally, combine the functions to start the clock:

Init()
SetupClock(200)
Tick()

Feel free to modify the Turtle drawing to create more interesting graphics.