Where is speed hiding in Scratch sprite speed?

Quick answer

In Scratch, sprite speed is hidden in the steps per second setting. It tells you how many steps a sprite moves each second, helping you control how fast or slow it moves on screen.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to compare how different steps per second values change how fast a sprite moves in Scratch.

• You can change a sprite's speed by adjusting its steps per second
• You can see how speed affects movement in a game or animation
• You can predict how fast a sprite will move with a given steps per second value
• You can compare different speeds using a simple chart or graph

Why this matters

Understanding sprite speed in Scratch helps you make your games and animations more fun and realistic. Whether you're making a race game, a dancing character, or a bouncing ball, knowing how speed works makes your project come alive. It also helps you understand how speed works in real life – like how fast you walk or run, or how fast a car moves!

How it works

When you use a sprite in Scratch, you can control how fast it moves. This is done using a setting called steps per second. The higher the number, the faster the sprite moves. The lower the number, the slower it moves.

1. Choose a sprite in Scratch
2. Find the Move block in the Motion category
3. Change the number in the Move block to set the steps per second
4. Click the green flag to see how fast it moves

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you have a cat sprite that moves across the screen. Here are different speeds you can try:

You can also draw a simple graph to show this. Imagine the x-axis is steps per second and the y-axis is how fast it looks. As the steps go up, the speed goes up too.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Speedy Sprite Challenge!

You are the designer of a fun game where a robot must collect coins. But the robot moves too fast or too slow! You need to find the perfect speed for it.

1. Start a new Scratch project
2. Choose a robot sprite
3. Set its steps per second to 10
4. Click the green flag and watch it move
5. Change the steps to 5 and see what happens
6. Try 20 steps and compare
7. Draw a chart showing your results

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that a higher steps per second number means the sprite moves in a circle. Why it happens: Confusing steps per second with direction. Fix: Remember, steps per second only changes speed, not direction.
• Mistake: Not using the same number for all moves in a sequence. Why it happens: Not paying attention to the block settings. Fix: Always check the number in each move block.
• Mistake: Believing that steps per second is the same as the time it takes to move. Why it happens: Mixing up speed and time. Fix: Speed is how many steps per second; time is how long it takes to finish moving.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help by:

• Letting your child try different steps per second numbers and see how they change the sprite’s movement
• Encouraging them to draw a chart or graph showing how speed changes
• Connecting the idea to real life – like how fast they walk or run
• Not pushing too hard – let them explore and make mistakes
• Using the Scratch project as a fun way to talk about speed and movement

Practice questions

1. What happens to a sprite’s speed if you increase its steps per second?
2. Which steps per second value would make a sprite move the slowest: 1, 5, or 10?
3. If a sprite moves 25 steps per second, how many steps will it move in 2 seconds?
4. What number would you set steps per second to for a sprite that moves like a car?
5. How can you record the speed of a sprite using a chart?

Answers:

1. The sprite moves faster.
2. 1
3. 50 steps
4. A high number like 50
5. By drawing a graph with steps per second on the x-axis and speed on the y-axis

FAQ

What does steps per second mean in Scratch?

Steps per second tells how many steps a sprite takes in one second. The more steps, the faster the sprite moves.

Can I change the speed of a sprite while it’s moving?

Yes, you can change the steps per second value at any time using blocks, and the sprite will change speed instantly.

How do I know what speed is best for my game?

Try different numbers and see how it feels. If it’s too fast, try a lower number. If it’s too slow, try a higher number.

Is there a maximum steps per second in Scratch?

There isn’t a limit, but very high numbers might make the sprite move too fast to see clearly.

How can I use speed in my own Scratch game?

You can use speed to make characters move in games, create animations, or even make a racing game where speed matters.