NetLogo, the programming language, is aLisp-style programming language with support forlists, “agentsets”,strings,Input/output, and plotting. Like the software itself, the programming language is also extensible using the built-in extension manager. Many extensions are available, including support forArrays,Tables,Matrices as well as integrations with popular programming languages likeR andPython.
NetLogo was designed byUri Wilensky, in the spirit of the programming languageLogo, to be "low threshold and no ceiling". It teaches programming concepts usingagents in the form ofturtles,patches,links and theobserver.[2] NetLogo was designed with multiple audiences in mind, in particular: teachingchildren in the education community, and fordomain experts without a programming background to model related phenomena.[3]Thousands of scientific articles have been published using NetLogo.[4]
The NetLogo environment enables exploration ofemergent phenomena. It comes with an extensive models library including models in a variety of domains, such aseconomics,biology,physics,chemistry,psychology, andsystem dynamics.[5] NetLogo allows exploration by modifying switches, sliders, choosers, inputs, and other interface elements.[6] Beyond exploring, NetLogo allows authoring new models and modifying extant models.
NetLogo is open source and freely available from the NetLogo website.[7] It is in use in a wide variety of educational contexts from elementary school to graduate school.[8][9][10][11] Many teachers make use of NetLogo in their curricula.[12][13] NetLogo is also widely used in scientific research having been used in several thousand research papers.[4]
NetLogo was designed and authored by Uri Wilensky,[14] director ofNorthwestern University's Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL).[15]
Several books have been published about NetLogo.[17]
Books available in print include:
Smaldino, Paul E. (2023).Modeling Social Behavior: Mathematical and Agent-Based Models of Social Dynamics and Cultural Evolution. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.ISBN978-0-691-22414-5.
Romanowska, Iza; Wren, Colin D.; Crabtree, Stefania A. (2021).Agent Based Modeling for Archaeology: Simulating the Complexity of Societies. Santa Fe, New Mexico: Santa Fe Institute Press.ISBN978-1-947864-25-2.
Wilensky, Uri; Rand, William (2015).An introduction to agent-based modeling: Modeling natural, social and engineered complex systems with NetLogo. Cambridge:MIT Press.ISBN978-0-262-73189-8.
Andersen, Britt (2014).Computational Neuroscience and Cognitive Modeling (CCL). London: Sage.ISBN978-1-4462-4930-7.
Gilbert, Nigel; Troitzsch, Klaus G. (2005).Simulation for the Social Scientist, Second Edition. London:McGraw Hill.ISBN978-0-335-21600-0.
Books available online include:
"NetLogo User Manual"(PDF).NetLogo User Manual. Center for Connected Learning and Computer Modeling, Northwestern University. 2025. Retrieved4 August 2025.
NetLogo Web is a version that runs on JavaScript, instead of the JVM, so models may be run in a web browser. However, it does not yet have all features of the desktop version.
NetLogo provides a built-in models library of over 600 models across multiple disciplines, includingsocial science,psychology,mathematics,physics,biology,economics,game theory, and more. Many of those models are part of theAn introduction to agent-based modeling: Modeling natural, social and engineered complex systems with NetLogo textbook.[21]
TheWolf-Sheep Predation model is simple multiagent model in NetLogo,[22] which is shown in the screenshot above. It models the population growth of a predator/prey system over time. It has the following characteristics:
There are two breeds of turtles, calledsheep andwolves.
Sheep and wolves move randomly and have limited energy.
Wolves and sheep lose energy by moving. If a wolf or sheep has zero energy, it dies.
Sheep gain energy by eating grass.
Wolves gain energy by eating sheep.
Both wolves and sheep can reproduce, sharing energy with their offspring.
TheTraffic Grid model[23] in NetLogo simulates vehicular movement and traffic light control on a two‑dimensional city grid. Cars accelerate, decelerate, or stop depending on traffic lights, other vehicles, and a user‑defined speed limit. The model is designed to demonstrate urban traffic dynamics and gridlock formation while allowing users to experiment with traffic management strategies.
Features:
Cars accelerate until reaching the speed limit, slow down behind other cars, and stop for red lights.
Traffic lights can be controlled either:
Manually – users select intersections and toggle lights directly.
Automatically – lights switch phases each cycle based on a user‑defined schedule.
Global variables include:
Grid size (number of horizontal and vertical streets)
Number of cars in the simulation
Speed limit andticks per cycle for light changes
Cars wrap around the world edges, enabling continuous traffic flow.
Plots and Outputs:
Stopped Cars – number of cars stopped each tick
Average Speed of Cars – tracks overall traffic flow efficiency
Average Wait Time – measures delay per vehicle
The model allows users to test scenarios such as removing lights entirely (causing frequent gridlock), optimizing light phases for maximum flow, and adjusting car density to explore congestion thresholds.
TheModeling Commons[24] is a web-based platform for sharing and collaborating on NetLogo models, hosted atmodelingcommons.org. Serving as the official NetLogo modeling forum, it allows users to upload, version, and manage NetLogo models, as well as discuss them and attach related files such as data or documentation. Users can search for models by name, author, tags, or content in the Info and Code tabs, and can create "child" variants of existing models to explore modifications while preserving lineage through a parent–child structure. The platform also supports group-based permissions to manage collaboration and access, and automatically grants coauthor status to anyone who uploads a new version of a model. The site is designed to work with all modern web browsers and is most extensively tested on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
HubNet is a technology that uses NetLogo to run participatory simulations in the classroom.[25] In a participatory simulation, a whole group of users takes part in enacting the behavior of a system. Using an individual device, such as a networked computer orTexas Instrumentsgraphing calculator, each user acts as a separate, independent agent.One example of a HubNet activity isTragedy of the Commons,[26] which models the economic problem called thetragedy of the commons.
^Wilensky, Uri (1999–2019)."Types of Agents in NetLogo".The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL). Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University. Retrieved2019-05-03.
^Kornhauser, Daniel; Rand, William; Wilensky, Uri (November 15–17, 2007).Visualization Tools for Agent-Based Modeling in NetLogo(PDF). Agent2007.The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL). Chicago, Illinois: Northwestern University. Retrieved2019-05-03.
^abWilensky, Uri (1999–2025)."NetLogo References".The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL). Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University. Retrieved2025-01-24.
^Wilensky, Uri (1999–2025)."NetLogo Models Library".The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL). Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University. Retrieved2019-05-03.
^Wilensky, Uri (1999–2025)."Interface Guide".The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL). Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University. Retrieved2020-01-24.
^Wilensky, Uri (1999–2019)."Download NetLogo".The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL). Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University. Retrieved2019-05-03.
^Wilensky, Uri (1999–2019)."NetLogo: Resources and Links".The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL). Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University. Retrieved2019-05-03.
^Wilensky, Uri; Rand, William (2015).An introduction to agent-based modeling: Modeling natural, social and engineered complex systems with NetLogo. Cambridge:MIT Press.ISBN978-0-262-73189-8.
^Wilensky, Uri (2002)."Tragedy of the Commons HubNet".The Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling (CCL). Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University. Retrieved2019-05-03.
