Ticks in Matplotlib

Ticks in Matplotlib

Ticks are the value on the axis to show the coordinates on the graph. It is the value on the axes by which we can visualize where will a specific coordinate lie on a graph. Whenever we plot a graph, ticks values are adjusted according to the data, which is sufficient in common situations, but it is not ideal whenever we plot data on a graph. So we will discuss the ticks in matplotlib and how we can customize it.

How to Add Ticks in Matplotlib?

By default, ticks are generated automatically when plotting data in matplotlib. First, we discuss the parameter and syntax of the function related to ticks.

Syntax:

1. matplotlib.pyplot.xticks(ticks=None, labels=None, **kwargs)
2. Axes.set_xticklabels(labels, *, fontdict=None, minor=False, **kwargs)
3. Axes.tick_params(axis='both', **kwargs)

Parameters:

1. matplotlib.pyplot.xticks()

   • ticks (optional parameter): The list of tick location
   • label (optional parameter): The labels to place at a given ticks location.
   • **kwargs: Text properties can be used to control the appearance of the labels.

2. Axes.set_xticklabels()

   • label (optional parameter): The labels to place at a given ticks location.
   • fontdict (optional parameter): A dictionary controls the appearance of the tick labels.
   • minor (optional parameter): Whether to set the minor tick labels rather than the major ones.
   • kwargs: Text properties can be used to control the appearance of the labels.

3. Axes.tick_params()

   • axis: The axis to which parameters are applied
   • kwargs: Text properties can be used to control the appearance of the labels.

How to Customize Axis Tick Labels in Matplotlib?

Sometimes we need to change the properties of the tick labels on the axis to make it more readable and clear, like we can change color, font size, etc.

Font Size of Tick Labels

We can change the font size of the tick labels by using these functions.

• matplotlib.pyplot.xticks(fontsize= )
• ax.set_xticklabels(xlabels, Fontsize= )
• matplotlib.pyplot.setp(ax.get_xticklabels(), Fontsize=)
• ax.tick_params(axis='x', Labelsize= )

Example1: Changing tick labels fontsize using xticks()

Output:

Example2: Changing tick labels fontsize using set_xticklabels()

Output:

Example3: Changing tick labels font size using setp()

Output:

Example4: Changing tick labels fontsize using tick_params()

Output:

Color of Tick Labels

We can also change the color of the tick labels. There are three ways to do it.

• matplotlib.pyplot.xticks(color= )
• ax.set_xticklabels(xlabels, color= )
• ax.tick_params(axis='x', colors= )

Example1: Changing color of tick labels using sticks()

Output:

Example2: Changing tick labels color using set_xticklabels()

Output:

Example3: Changing tick labels color using tick_params()

Output:

Controlling Tick Spacing

Ticks are generated automatically when we plot data in matplotlib, but we can also change the frequency of the tick labels using the functions xticks() and yticks().

Example:

Output:

Controlling Tick Labeling

We can also label the ticks. Here is an example.

Output:

Rotation of Tick Labels

Sometimes tick labels overlap, so we can rotate them to make them more readable. There are three functions to do it.

• matplotlib.pyplot.xticks() and matplotlib.pyplot.yticks()
• matplotlib.pyplot.subplot().set_xticklabels() and matplotlib.pyplot.subplot().set_yticklabels()
• matplotlib.pyplot.tick_params()

Example1: Rotating the tick labels using xticks() and yticks()

Output:

Example 2: Rotating the tick labels using set_xticklabels()

Output:

Example3: Rotating the tick labels using tick_params

Output:

Dates as Tick Labels

We can also use the date as a tick label on x-axis. matplotlib.pyplot.plot_date() is the function to plot date on graph. The autofmt xdate() is used to format the date on x-axis.

Example:

Output:

Labelpad of Tick Labels

By adding the pad parameter, we can change the spacing between the axis and the tick labels using the tick_params() function. Example:

Output:

Setting Visibility of Tick Labels

We can change the visibility of tick and axis labels in the graph. There are three ways to do it.

• Using NullLocator() function
• Using set_visibile() function
• Passing empty list in xtick() and yticks() function

Example1: Using NullLocator() function

Output:

Example2: Using set_visibile() function This function also removes grid and axis labels along with tick labels

Output:

Example3: Passing empty list in xtick() and yticks() function

Output:

Making the Tick Labels Bold

We can be also bold the tick labels. There are two ways to do it.

• By using xticks() and yticks() functions.
• By using set_xticklabels() and set_yticklabels() functions.

Example1: By using xticks() and yticks() functions

Output:

Example2: By using xticklabels() and yticklabels() functions.

Output:

Overlapping in Tick Labels

When we plot data in a graph, sometimes the label of the x or y-axis overlaps. To make the graph look neat, we have to format the labels. We can use setp() function to rotate and align the labels to avoid overlapping.

Example1: Before using the function:

Output:

Example 2: Using the function setp() to adjust the x-axis labels

Output:

How to Set the Number of Ticks?

We can also specify the number of ticks on the axis. There is a function in pyplot by which we can change the number of ticks.

Syntax:

Output:

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