A Complete Guide to Sliders in Python GUI

import tkinter as tk  

# Create main parent window
my_w = tk.Tk()  
# Set window dimensions (width x height)
my_w.geometry("200x200")  
# Set window title
my_w.title("Scale")  

# Create a Label widget
l1 = tk.Label(my_w, text="Scale")  
l1.grid(row=1, column=1)  

# Create a Scale widget (Slider) from 0 to 100
my_scale = tk.Scale(
    my_w, 
    from_=0, 
    to=100, 
    orient='horizontal'
)  
my_scale.grid(row=2, column=1, padx=10)  

# Run the Tkinter event loop to keep the window open
my_w.mainloop()  

value = my_scale.get()  # Get the current value of the Scale
print("Selected Value:", value)  # Display it in the console

my_scale.set(50)  
# Set the Scale slider to 50

Copy value from one scale to other by button click 🔝

import tkinter as tk
my_w = tk.Tk()
my_w.geometry("500x500") 

def my_upd():
    my_scale2.set(my_scale1.get()) # read and set value 
    
my_scale1 = tk.Scale(my_w, from_=0, to=100, orient='horizontal')
my_scale1.grid(row=1,column=1) 

my_scale2 = tk.Scale(my_w, from_=0, to=100, orient='horizontal')
my_scale2.grid(row=3,column=1) 

b1 = tk.Button(my_w, text='Copy', width=10,command=lambda: my_upd())
b1.grid(row=2,column=1) 

my_w.mainloop()

Synchronizing Two Tkinter Scale Widgets without any button click 🔝

This code demonstrates how to synchronize two **Scale** widgets in Tkinter, ensuring that when the first Scale is adjusted, the second one updates automatically. 🚀

import tkinter as tk  
from tkinter import *  

# Create main window  
my_w = tk.Tk()  
my_w.geometry("300x200")  

# Function to update Scale2 when Scale1 is moved  
def my_upd(value):  
    my_scale2.set(my_scale1.get())  

# First Scale (Control Scale)  
my_scale1 = tk.Scale(
    my_w,  
    from_=0,  
    to=100,  
    orient='horizontal',  
    command=my_upd  
)  
my_scale1.grid(row=1, column=1)  

# Second Scale (Mirrors First Scale)  
my_scale2 = tk.Scale(
    my_w,  
    from_=0,  
    to=100,  
    orient='horizontal'  
)  
my_scale2.grid(row=3, column=1)  

# Run the Tkinter event loop  
my_w.mainloop()  

Synchronizing Multiple Scales Using a Single Variable in Tkinter 🔝

This example demonstrates how multiple Scale widgets can be synchronized using a single IntVar variable. Here all widgets are connected by using variable attribute. When one Scale is adjusted, the other updates automatically, ensuring real-time synchronization. 🚀

my_w = tk.Tk()  
my_w.geometry("300x200")  

# Declare a Tkinter variable with an initial value
my_var = tk.IntVar(value=10)  

# First Scale widget (lightgreen background)
my_scale1 = tk.Scale(
    my_w, 
    from_=0, 
    to=100, 
    bg='lightgreen', 
    orient='horizontal', 
    variable=my_var, 
    length=200
)
my_scale1.grid(row=1, column=1, padx=50, pady=20)  

# Second Scale widget (antiquewhite background)
my_scale2 = tk.Scale(
    my_w, 
    from_=0, 
    to=100, 
    bg='antiquewhite', 
    orient='horizontal', 
    variable=my_var, 
    length=200
)
my_scale2.grid(row=2, column=1, padx=50, pady=30)  

# Run the application
my_w.mainloop()  

Inter connecting Spinbox and Scale widgets 🔝

import tkinter as tk  

# Create main window  
my_w = tk.Tk()  
my_w.geometry("300x150")  # Window size  
my_w.title("www.plus2net.com")  # Window title  

# Define font style  
font1 = ['Arial', 28, 'normal']  

# Shared Tkinter StringVar for both widgets  
sv = tk.StringVar()  

# Spinbox Widget (Linked to sv)  
sb = tk.Spinbox(
    my_w,  
    textvariable=sv,  
    width=5,  
    from_=0,  
    to=100,  
    font=font1  
)  
sb.grid(row=1, column=1, padx=50, pady=10)  

# Scale Widget (Also linked to sv)  
sc = tk.Scale(
    my_w,  
    from_=0,  
    to=100,  
    orient='horizontal',  
    variable=sv,  
    font=font1  
)  
sc.grid(row=2, column=1, padx=20)  

# Run the Tkinter event loop  
my_w.mainloop()  

Enable disable scale 🔝

sv = StringVar() #string variable 
sc = Scale(my_w, from_=0, to=100,orient=HORIZONTAL,
		state='disabled',variable=sv)
sc.grid(row=2,column=1,padx=50)

sc.config(state='normal')

Using radio button to Enable or disable a Scale 🔝

import tkinter as tk
my_w = tk.Tk() # Parent window 
my_w.geometry("300x150")  # Size of the window 
my_w.title("www.plus2net.com")  # Adding a title

font1=['Arial',22,'normal'] # higher size font 
r1_v = tk.StringVar(value='normal')  # variable for Radiobutton 
def my_upd():
    if r1_v.get()=='normal': # normal redio is clicked 
        sc.config(state='normal') # update Scale to normal
    elif r1_v.get()=='disabled':
        sc.config(state='disabled') # Disable  Scale

r1 = tk.Radiobutton(my_w, text='normal', variable=r1_v, 
        value='normal',font=font1,command=my_upd)
r1.grid(row=1,column=1) 

r2 = tk.Radiobutton(my_w, text='Disabled', variable=r1_v, 
        value='disabled',font=font1,command=my_upd)
r2.grid(row=1,column=2) 

sc = tk.Scale(my_w, from_=0, to=100,
        orient='horizontal',font=font1)
sc.grid(row=2,column=1,padx=20)

my_w.mainloop()  # Keep the window open

Options 🔝

font1=('times',18,'bold') # set font style

sc = Scale(my_w, from_=0, to=100,
variable=sv,orient='horizontal',
activebackground='red',bg='yellow',
bd=5,fg='green',font=font1,cursor='cross')

length	Dimension of the slider, it is x value if orientation is horizontal, otherwise y value of vertical orientation. sc = Scale(my_w, from_=1, to=200,variable=sv, orient='horizontal', length=180)
orient	Orientation of the scale, values can be horizontal or vertical. Default is vertical. See examples above.
relief	Style of the border. Check the button section for more about relief. It can take these values raised , sunken ,flat, ridge, solid & groove sc = Scale(my_w, from_=1, to=200,variable=sv, orient='horizontal',length=180, relief='sunken')
resolution	Step value for the slider movement.
state	normal | active | disabled , options for the state. Check the example above
sliderlength	The length of the slider sc = Scale(my_w, from_=0, to=100,variable=sv, orient='horizontal',sliderlength=10)
showvalue	Set it to 0 if you don't want the slider value to be displayed.
takefocus	Set to to 0 if you don't want it to be on focus through tab cycle along with other widgets.
variable	links the Scale to a Tkinter variable (IntVar or DoubleVar), ensuring automatic updates whenever the variable's value changes.
width	Default value is 15 pixel, Check the width in different orientation. ( see examples above )

Dynamic value for from_ and to 🔝

import tkinter as tk 
my_w = tk.Tk() # parent window 
my_w.geometry("200x200") # width and height of the window
my_w.title("Scale") # title for the window 

l1=tk.Label(my_w,text="Scale") 
l1.grid(row=1,column=1)
font1=['Arial',22,'normal']

l1=[20,45,55,43,41,59,64,69,70] # data source , update these values

if(min(l1)%10==0):
    my_from=min(l1)
else:
    my_from=(min(l1)//10)*10
if(max(l1)%10 == 0):
    my_to=max(l1)
else:
    my_to=((max(l1)//10)+1)*10
print(my_from,my_to)
sc2=tk.Scale(my_w,from_=my_from,to=my_to,resolution=5,
    length=150,orient='horizontal',font=font1)
sc2.grid(row=2,column=1)
my_w.mainloop() # Keep the window open 

RGB colour sliders 🔝

Dashboard using scale 🔝

Selection of Hour Minute and Seconds using Scale 🔝

Creating transparent background window 🔝

my_w.attributes('-alpha',my_scale.get())

import tkinter as tk # Python 3
my_w = tk.Tk()
my_w.geometry("415x200+410+100")  
my_img = tk.PhotoImage(file="top2-trans.png")  # update path as needed 
l1=tk.Label(my_w,image=my_img)
l1.grid(row=1,column=1,padx=100,pady=10)
#my_w.overrideredirect(True)
def my_upd(value):
    my_w.attributes('-alpha',my_scale.get())

my_scale=tk.Scale(my_w,from_=0.0, to=1.0,resolution=0.05,
     command=my_upd,orient='horizontal', length=200)
my_scale.grid(row=2,column=1)

my_scale.set(1.0)
my_w.bind('<Escape>',lambda e:my_w.quit()) 
#my_w.bind('<Button-3>',lambda e:my_w.quit()) # mouse right click
my_w.mainloop()

Subhendu Mohapatra

Author & Instructor at plus2net

I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

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