What Scripting Language Does Roblox Use?

Roblox actually uses Luau, a custom version of the Lua scripting language, to program games. Discover how Luau works, why it’s great for young coders, and how your child can start using it.

Are you wondering “what scripting language does Roblox use” to power all those exciting games your kids can’t stop playing? Many parents and teens face this question, including “how do I learn the coding behind Roblox?” It can be confusing when you hear about Python, Java, and C++, but Roblox games aren’t built with those. This confusion can be frustrating for kids eager to create their own games and stressful for parents trying to guide them.

The good news is, there’s a clear answer, and it’s designed to be easy for beginners.

Roblox uses Luau (a Lua variant). Learning this language is a big part of making Roblox games. It’s simple, beginner-friendly, and the perfect starting point for kids learning to code. And with the right guidance from expert instructors like those at the Software Academy, your child can turn their Roblox dreams into playable games.

Key Takeaways

• All scripting in Roblox is done in Luau, a language derived from Lua 5.1.
• Luau is beginner-friendly. It was built for simplicity and speed, adding features like optional typing to standard Lua.
• In Roblox Studio, Luau scripts can trigger events (like when a player jumps or scores), move objects, handle scores, and much more.

Software Academy’s online Roblox camps (5 days × 3 hours/day) guide kids step-by-step to create their own Lua scripts and Roblox games.

Start Free Trial

Luau – The Language Behind Roblox Scripting

Luau is the scripting language your child will learn when they code in Roblox Studio. Lua itself is a very lightweight, high-level language famous for being easy to embed and learn.

According to Roblox, Lua was chosen years ago because it was “small, fast, easy to embed and learn”. In fact, for many Roblox developers, it was the first programming language they ever learned.

Luau builds on the foundation of the language Lua but introduces enhancements tailored specifically for the Roblox platform. Designed to support custom game mechanics and smoother development, Luau includes powerful features such as optional type annotations, string interpolation, and generalised table iteration. These improvements make Roblox scripting more efficient and reduce errors, which is especially helpful for beginners exploring coding through the Roblox Studio interface.

Compared to other programming languages, Luau offers a simpler, more approachable learning curve. It’s perfect for kids and teens looking to create their own games on Roblox.

Luau features

Luau includes modern enhancements to classic Lua. These include:

• Optional typing: You can add type hints to variables (this helps catch mistakes early).
• String interpolation: Writing strings with embedded variables is easier (using backticks).
• Simpler loops: You can loop through tables (arrays/dictionaries) more cleanly with generalised iteration.

In summary, the coding in every Roblox game is done in Luau (aka “Roblox Lua”), which is essentially Lua tailored for game development. This language powers all in-game scripts, from simple movement to complex game logic. No matter which game your child plays, when they want to create or customise something in Roblox, they’ll be writing Luau code.

Give your kids a head start in game development while having fun.

Start Free Trial

Why Lua/Luau Programming Language is Great for Young Coders

Lua (and by extension Luau) has a reputation as a super-friendly first language. It uses English-like commands and very few rules. For example, Lua does not require semicolons at the end of statements, and its syntax is very clean. It’s often cited as simpler than many mainstream languages.

If your child is new to coding, Lua’s simple syntax is “much less intimidating than C++ or Java”. Even variable naming and structures feel natural: you declare a variable with a word like local score = 0, which reads almost like English (“local score equals zero”). There are no confusing brackets or boilerplate lines to start, just clear commands.

This simplicity makes Lua/Luau ideal for kids. Software Academy puts it plainly: “Lua’s syntax is quite simple and easy to understand. Thus, Roblox programming language is recommended even for novices, more precisely for children.”. Because of this, kids can focus on learning logical thinking and creativity instead of getting bogged down by complicated code rules. They can experiment by just writing a few lines and instantly see the result.

Lua/Luau also runs extremely fast and has a small footprint, which means a kid’s code can execute in real-time within the game. This is exciting for a learner: change a number or command, hit “Run” in Roblox Studio, and boom, the game world updates right away. The instant feedback keeps learning fun and concrete. Kids learn to code by creating games they can play and share.

A few more reasons Lua/Luau stands out for beginners:

• Lightweight & versatile. Lua is designed to embed in applications (like Roblox), so it’s streamlined and fast. It’s the same language used in many games (beyond Roblox) because it easily fits into software.
• Immediate game integration. In Roblox Studio, Lua is the only language you need. You don’t have to install anything extra, as the editor understands it out of the box.
• Community and resources. Since Luau is based on Lua, your child can tap into a massive global community. Many Lua books, tutorials, and forums apply directly. If they ever get stuck, there are plenty of Lua examples online.
• Gradual learning curve. Luau supports gradual typing, meaning kids can start with plain dynamic typing and add types later as they grow. This makes learning step-by-step smooth.

Overall, Lua/Luau hits a sweet spot. It’s powerful enough to create games, yet simple enough beginners can pick it up quickly. Kids who code in Roblox are effectively learning a “real” programming language without the usual barriers.

How Roblox Studio Uses Lua/Luau in Games

In a Roblox game, every interactive feature is controlled by Lua scripts. Think of a Roblox script as a little set of instructions hidden inside the game. According to Roblox’s documentation, scripts can do nearly anything: “trigger in-game events, respond to player input, save player data, create leaderboards, spawn enemies, [and] control NPC behaviour”.

In plain terms, if your child wants something to happen in their game, like opening a door when a player walks up, or adding points when someone jumps, they write a Lua script to make that happen.

For example, a simple script might be used to change a block’s colour when it’s touched, or to give the player a power-up. 

More advanced scripts can build entire game mechanics, like keeping score or handling player inventories. Because Lua runs inside Roblox Studio, the kid can press “Play” and immediately test the script in a simulated game environment. If something breaks, the Output panel shows errors to help fix it. Scripts are the glue that make a Roblox world dynamic and fun.

Here are a few typical things Roblox scripts do (all in Lua)

• Respond to events. For instance, “When the player touches this object, do something.”
• Control characters. Make an NPC (non-player character) move, jump, or talk.
• Manage game state. Keep track of scores, inventory items, or health.
• Create and destroy objects. Spawn new enemies, tools, or effects on the fly.
• Handle multiplayer. Sync data between the server and each player (Roblox has remote events in Lua for that).

Because Lua is so tightly integrated, kids see the cause-and-effect clearly. They write a loop or an if statement in Lua, and then watch the game behave differently. This real-time feedback is great for learning.

Let your child explore the power of coding through Roblox’s immersive platform.

Start Free Trial

Learn Roblox Coding with Software Academy

If your child is excited about Roblox and eager to learn coding, Software Academy offers the perfect next step. Our Roblox coding classes are fully online and led by live tutors who specialise in youth programming. We run these courses during school holidays (Half-Term, Easter, Summer), and you simply pick the week that works for you.

Each course is a week-long camp (5 days), with 3 hours per day (9:30 AM – 1:00 PM) of interactive learning. In total, that’s 15 hours of focused instruction on Lua scripting in Roblox.

We cover everything from the basics of Lua syntax to actual game design in Roblox Studio. By the end of the camp, students have designed and coded their own Roblox mod or mini-game using Lua. This project is something they can be proud of and even share with friends.

Some key points about our Roblox coding camps:

• Age 11+: These classes are aimed at older kids and teens (11 years and up).
• No prior coding needed: Students do not need any experience. We start from day one with the basics of Lua and build up.
• Structured curriculum: Our lessons were designed by computer science educators. They are hands-on and fun, often game-themed, to keep students engaged.
• Interactive and social: Kids can ask questions, work on coding tasks together online, and get real-time help from tutors.
• Skills beyond coding: In addition to Lua, students learn problem-solving, creative thinking, and even soft skills (like perseverance) through these projects.

By joining, your child will learn Lua and also gain “impressive transferable skills” like creative problem-solving. Many parents report that their children come away more confident and excited about coding.

Ready to get started?

Visit Software Academy to check our Roblox coding course dates and enrol. If your child loves playing Roblox, turning that interest into a coding skill can be rewarding and fun, and learning Lua with expert guidance makes it even easier.

By understanding Roblox’s Lua/Luau language and giving your child the right tools like Software Academy’s classes, you’re setting them up for creative success. Let them transform from game players into game creators, and who knows, maybe even future game designers.

Start Free Trial