Introduction
Matplotlib is a powerful library in Python for creating visualizations and plots. One common task when working with matplotlib is changing the size of the figure. The figure size refers to the dimensions of the plot area where the data is displayed. In this guide, we will explore different methods to change the size of a figure in matplotlib.
Understanding the figure size in matplotlib
Before we dive into the different methods to change the figure size, let’s first understand what the figure size represents in matplotlib. The figure size is defined by the width and height of the plot area in inches. By default, the figure size in matplotlib is set to (6.4, 4.8) inches.
The figure size is important because it determines the aspect ratio of the plot and how the data is displayed. A larger figure size will result in a larger plot area, allowing for more detailed visualizations. On the other hand, a smaller figure size will result in a smaller plot area, which can be useful for creating compact plots.
Changing the figure size using the figure() function
The figure() function in matplotlib is used to create a new figure object. This function allows us to specify the figure size by passing the width and height as arguments. The width and height are specified in inches.
To change the figure size using the figure() function, we can simply pass the desired width and height as arguments. For example, to create a figure with a width of 8 inches and a height of 6 inches, we can use the following code:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.figure(figsize=(8, 6))
This will create a new figure object with the specified size. Any subsequent plots or visualizations will be displayed within this figure.
Changing the figure size using the subplots() function
The subplots() function in matplotlib is used to create a figure object and a set of subplots. This function also allows us to specify the figure size by passing the figsize argument.
To change the figure size using the subplots() function, we can simply pass the desired width and height as the figsize argument. For example, to create a figure with a width of 10 inches and a height of 8 inches, we can use the following code:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(10, 8))
This will create a new figure object with the specified size and a set of subplots. The ax variable represents the axes object, which can be used to plot data or customize the visualization.
Changing the figure size using the set_size_inches() function
The set_size_inches() function in matplotlib is used to change the size of an existing figure. This function allows us to specify the new width and height of the figure in inches.
To change the figure size using the set_size_inches() function, we first need to obtain a reference to the figure object. We can do this by calling the gcf() function, which stands for «get current figure». Once we have the figure object, we can call the set_size_inches() function and pass the desired width and height as arguments.
Here’s an example:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
# Create a figure
plt.figure()
# Get the current figure
fig = plt.gcf()
# Set the new figure size
fig.set_size_inches(12, 10)
This will change the size of the existing figure to the specified dimensions.
Changing the figure size using the rcParams dictionary
The rcParams dictionary in matplotlib is used to customize various aspects of the plot. It contains a wide range of configuration options, including the figure size.
To change the figure size using the rcParams dictionary, we can simply update the value of the «figure.figsize» key. The value should be a tuple of the desired width and height in inches.
Here’s an example:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
# Update the figure size in rcParams
plt.rcParams["figure.figsize"] = (14, 12)
# Create a plot
plt.plot([1, 2, 3, 4], [1, 4, 9, 16])
# Display the plot
plt.show()
This will change the default figure size for all subsequent plots in the current session.
Conclusion
In this guide, we have explored different methods to change the size of a figure in matplotlib. We have learned how to change the figure size using the figure() function, the subplots() function, the set_size_inches() function, and the rcParams dictionary. By understanding these methods, you can easily customize the figure size to create visually appealing and informative plots in matplotlib.
