Tkinter in Python

If you want to create GUI (Graphical User Interface) applications in Python, Tkinter is the most popular and beginner-friendly library. It is built into Python, so you don't need to install anything separately. This article explains Tkinter with examples, widgets, layout managers, aand inbuilt functions, making it perfect for students, beginners, and exam aspirants.

What is Tkinter?

TKinter is Python's standard GUI package used to create desktop applications.
It provides windows, buttons, labels, text fields, dialogues, menus, and more.

Tkinter is:

Built-in (comes with Python)
Easy to use
Cross-platform
Used to create apps like
✔ Calculator
✔ Notepad
✔ Form applications
✔ Games

Creating Your First Tkinter Window

Example 1: Basic Window

import tkinter as tk

root = tk.Tk()
root.title("My First Tkinter App")
root.geometry("300x200")

root.mainloop()

Explanation

Tk() → creates main window
title() → sets window title
geometry() → width x height
mainloop() → keeps the window open

Tkinter Widgets (Components)

Tkinter provides several built-in widgets. Below are the most commonly used ones with examples.

1. Label Widget

Displays text or images.

label = tk.Label(root, text="Hello Tkinter!", font=("Arial", 16))
label.pack()

2. Button Widget

Clickable button.

def click_me():
    print("Button Clicked!")

button = tk.Button(root, text="Click Me", command=click_me)
button.pack()

3. Entry Widget

Used to take input from the user.

entry = tk.Entry(root, width=20)
entry.pack()

4. Text Widget

Multiline text editor.

text = tk.Text(root, height=5, width=30)
text.pack()

5. Checkbutton

check = tk.Checkbutton(root, text="Accept Terms")
check.pack()

6. Radio button

var = tk.StringVar()

tk.Radiobutton(root, text="Male", value="Male", variable=var).pack()
tk.Radiobutton(root, text="Female", value="Female", variable=var).pack()

7. Listbox

listbox = tk.Listbox(root)
listbox.insert(1, "Python")
listbox.insert(2, "Java")
listbox.pack()

Layout Managers in Tkinter

Tkinter provides 3 layout managers:

1. pack()

Arranges widgets vertically or horizontally.

2. grid()

Arranges widgets in rows and columns.

Example:

tk.Label(root, text="Name:").grid(row=0, column=0)
tk.Entry(root).grid(row=0, column=1)

3. place()

Place widgets at specific x and y coordinates.

Example:

button.place(x=100, y=50)

Common Inbuilt Tkinter Functions

Function	Description
`title()`	Sets window title
`geometry()`	Sets window size
`resizable()`	Enables/disables resizing
`config()`	Changes widget properties
`destroy()`	Closes window
`pack()`	Layout manager
`grid()`	Grid layout
`place()`	Coordinate layout
`mainloop()`	Starts GUI loop

Mini Project: Simple Tkinter Login Form

import tkinter as tk

root = tk.Tk()
root.title("Login Form")
root.geometry("300x200")

tk.Label(root, text="Username").pack()
username = tk.Entry(root)
username.pack()

tk.Label(root, text="Password").pack()
password = tk.Entry(root, show="*")
password.pack()

def login():
    print("Username:", username.get())
    print("Password:", password.get())

tk.Button(root, text="Login", command=login).pack()

root.mainloop()

Advantages of Tkinter

✔ Easy to learn
✔ Built into Python
✔ Cross-platform
✔ Large community support
✔ Fast prototyping

Applications Built Using Tkinter

Desktop calculators
Notepad/Text editor
Simple games
Registration forms
Attendance systems
Data visualization tools

Conclusion

Tkinter is one of the most powerful yet easiest libraries for creating GUI applications in Python. By understanding widgets, layout managers, and event handling, anyone can quickly build functional desktop apps.

Python Programming for Everyone