Matplotlib Axis Labels

Matplotlib Axis Labels

In this article, we will explore how to add axis labels to plots created using Matplotlib.

1. Basic usage of axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label')
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

2. Customizing axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('Custom X-axis label', color='blue', fontsize=14)
plt.ylabel('Custom Y-axis label', color='red', fontsize=14)
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

3. Rotating axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label', rotation=45)
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label', rotation=45)
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

4. Adding units to axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('Time (s)')
plt.ylabel('Distance (m)')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

5. Formatting axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

x = np.linspace(0, 10, 100)
y = np.sin(x)

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label', style='italic')
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label', style='italic')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

6. Adding a title to axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label')
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label')
plt.title('Example Plot with Axis Labels')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

7. Changing the font style of axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label', fontstyle='italic')
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label', fontstyle='italic')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

8. Adjusting the position of axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label', x=0.5)
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label', y=0.5)
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

9. Changing the color of axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label', color='green')
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label', color='orange')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

10. Adding a border to axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label', bbox=dict(facecolor='red', alpha=0.5))
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label', bbox=dict(facecolor='blue', alpha=0.5))
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

11. Changing the font size of axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label', fontsize=16)
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label', fontsize=16)
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

12. Adding subscript to axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label$_1$')
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label$_2$')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

13. Adding superscript to axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label$^1$')
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label$^2$')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

14. Using LaTeX in axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel(r'$\alpha$', fontsize=16)
plt.ylabel(r'$\beta$', fontsize=16)
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

15. Adding symbols to axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label \u03B1')
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label \u03B2')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

16. Using subscript and superscript together in axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label$_1^2$')
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label$_2^2$')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

17. Adding math equations to axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel(r'$\int_0^{\infty} e^{-x} \,dx$')
plt.ylabel(r'$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{n^2}$')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

18. Adding multiple lines to axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis line 1\nX-axis line 2')
plt.ylabel('Y-axis line 1\nY-axis line 2')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

19. Adding special characters to axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
y = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis label $\u20AC$')
plt.ylabel('Y-axis label $\u00A2$')
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

20. Adding units with formatting to axis labels

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

x = np.linspace(0, 10, 100)
y = np.sin(x)

plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('Time (s)', fontsize=12)
plt.ylabel('Amplitude (V)', fontsize=12)
plt.show()

Output:

Matplotlib Axis Labels

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored various ways to customize and add axis labels to plots created using Matplotlib. By adjusting the style, position, color, font size, and content of the axis labels, we can make our plots more informative and visually appealing. Experiment with the provided examples to create visually stunning plots with customized axis labels.

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