Pencil Code

Free plan Web

What Pencil Code is

Pencil Code is a free web-based programming site for creating projects such as art, music, games, stories, webpages, simulations, and algorithms. Its editor lets learners work with blocks or text and switch between the two. It supports CoffeeScript, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML, and its programming library includes turtle graphics functions. Projects are open for others to see and copy, so posted work is public. Users can create and run programs without registering, but need an account to save projects on the service. Pencil Code describes itself as open source and publishes its software license terms. For classroom use, its online guide points teachers to printable materials and a curriculum for middle- and high-school students. The service is intended for users of all ages, but its terms prohibit business use. The site warns that posted data is not secured from loss and says not to post private or personally identifying details. The plan is free to use at no cost.

Who it suits

Pencil Code suits learners and teachers exploring programming through creative projects, including middle- and high-school classroom work. It is not intended for business use, and saved projects are public.

What it does well

Switch between block and text editing.
Supports four listed programming languages.
Includes turtle graphics functions.
Run programs without registering.
Offers printable classroom materials and a curriculum.

What to know first

An account is required to save projects.
Posted content is public.
Posted data is not secured from loss.
Business use is prohibited by the terms.

Limits

The free plan costs nothing. Saved content is public and the site says it is not secured from loss; saving projects also requires registration.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Pencil Code	Free to use; the site says saved content is public and not secured from loss	Free

As pencilcode.net lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open https://pencilcode.net/ in a web browser
Create and run a program without registering
Choose block-based or text-based editing
Use CoffeeScript, JavaScript, CSS, or HTML
Register when you want to save projects on the service
Share projects knowing posted content is public

Verdict

Pencil Code combines creative project work with both block and text programming. Its public-content rules and business-use restriction are important to consider before saving or sharing work.

Questions

How much does Pencil Code cost?

Its Pencil Code plan is free to use at no cost.

Which platforms support Pencil Code?

Pencil Code is available on the web.

Do I need an account to use it?

You can create and run programs without registering. Registration is required to save projects on the service.

Which programming languages are supported?

The editor supports CoffeeScript, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML, with block and text editing that can be switched.

Are Pencil Code projects private?

Programs are open for others to see and copy, and posted content is public. The site warns that posted data is not secured from loss.

Facts from Pencil Code's own pages

Audience: The service is educational and its privacy policy says it is intended for users of all ages. · pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026
Editor: The editor lets learners work in blocks or text and switch between them. · pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026
Headquarters: Lincoln, Massachusetts, United States · pencilcode.net, 28 Sept 2026
Integrations: The online guide points teachers to printable classroom materials and a curriculum for middle- and high-school students. · guide.pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026
Languages: Pencil Code supports CoffeeScript, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. · pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026
Limit: The terms describe Pencil Code as an educational service and prohibit using it on behalf of or as part of a business. · pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026
Open source: Pencil Code describes itself as open source and publishes its software license terms. · pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026
Personal information: The terms prohibit posting private or personally identifiable information, including full names and contact details. · pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026
Privacy: The privacy policy says users can create and run programs without registering, but must register to save projects on the service. · pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Pencil Code is a collaborative programming site for creating art, music, games, stories, and projects involving math, webpages, simulations, and algorithms. · pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026
Security and data: The site warns that posted data is public, is not secured from loss, and should not be relied on for safekeeping. · pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026
Sharing: Programs are open for others to see and copy, and posted content is public. · pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The team page invites classroom users and open-source contributors to join the discussion group and says Slack invitations are sent within about a day after submitting contact information. · pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026
Turtle graphics: Programs preload the Pencil Code library, which provides turtle graphics functions. · pencilcode.net, 11 Oct 2026

Where Pencil Code stands on Freedom251

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