Matplotlib Markers
Markers
You can use the keyword argument marker
to
emphasize each point with a specified marker:
Example
Mark each point with a circle:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
ypoints = np.array([3, 8, 1, 10])
plt.plot(ypoints, marker = 'o')
plt.show()
Result:
Try it Yourself »
Example
Mark each point with a star:
...
plt.plot(ypoints, marker = '*')
...
Result:
Try it Yourself »
Marker Reference
You can choose any of these markers:
Marker | Description | |
---|---|---|
'o' | Circle | Try it » |
'*' | Star | Try it » |
'.' | Point | Try it » |
',' | Pixel | Try it » |
'x' | X | Try it » |
'X' | X (filled) | Try it » |
'+' | Plus | Try it » |
'P' | Plus (filled) | Try it » |
's' | Square | Try it » |
'D' | Diamond | Try it » |
'd' | Diamond (thin) | Try it » |
'p' | Pentagon | Try it » |
'H' | Hexagon | Try it » |
'h' | Hexagon | Try it » |
'v' | Triangle Down | Try it » |
'^' | Triangle Up | Try it » |
'<' | Triangle Left | Try it » |
'>' | Triangle Right | Try it » |
'1' | Tri Down | Try it » |
'2' | Tri Up | Try it » |
'3' | Tri Left | Try it » |
'4' | Tri Right | Try it » |
'|' | Vline | Try it » |
'_' | Hline | Try it » |
Format Strings fmt
You can also use the shortcut string notation parameter to specify the marker.
This parameter is also called fmt
, and is written with this syntax:
marker|line|color
Example
Mark each point with a circle:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
ypoints = np.array([3, 8, 1, 10])
plt.plot(ypoints, 'o:r')
plt.show()
Result:
Try it Yourself »
The marker value can be anything from the Marker Reference above.
The line value can be one of the following:
Line Reference
Line Syntax | Description | |
---|---|---|
'-' | Solid line | Try it » |
':' | Dotted line | Try it » |
'--' | Dashed line | Try it » |
'-.' | Dashed/dotted line | Try it » |
Note: If you leave out the line value in the fmt parameter, no line will be plotted.
The short color value can be one of the following:
Color Reference
Color Syntax | Description | |
---|---|---|
'r' | Red | Try it » |
'g' | Green | Try it » |
'b' | Blue | Try it » |
'c' | Cyan | Try it » |
'm' | Magenta | Try it » |
'y' | Yellow | Try it » |
'k' | Black | Try it » |
'w' | White | Try it » |
Marker Size
You can use the keyword argument markersize
or the
shorter version, ms
to set the size of the markers:
Example
Set the size of the markers to 20:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
ypoints = np.array([3, 8, 1, 10])
plt.plot(ypoints, marker = 'o', ms = 20)
plt.show()
Result:
Try it Yourself »
Marker Color
You can use the keyword argument markeredgecolor
or
the shorter mec
to set the color of the
edge of the markers:
Example
Set the EDGE color to red:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
ypoints = np.array([3, 8, 1, 10])
plt.plot(ypoints, marker = 'o', ms = 20, mec = 'r')
plt.show()
Result:
Try it Yourself »
You can use the keyword argument markerfacecolor
or
the shorter mfc
to set the color inside the edge of the markers:
Example
Set the FACE color to red:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
ypoints = np.array([3, 8, 1, 10])
plt.plot(ypoints, marker = 'o', ms = 20, mfc = 'r')
plt.show()
Result:
Try it Yourself »
Use both the mec
and mfc
arguments to color the entire marker:
Example
Set the color of both the edge and the face to red:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
ypoints = np.array([3, 8, 1, 10])
plt.plot(ypoints, marker = 'o', ms = 20, mec = 'r', mfc = 'r')
plt.show()
Result:
Try it Yourself »
You can also use Hexadecimal color values:
Example
Mark each point with a beautiful green color:
...
plt.plot(ypoints, marker = 'o', ms = 20, mec = '#4CAF50', mfc = '#4CAF50')
...
Result:
Try it Yourself »
Or any of the 140 supported color names.
Example
Mark each point with the color named "hotpink":
...
plt.plot(ypoints, marker = 'o', ms = 20, mec = 'hotpink', mfc = 'hotpink')
...
Result:
Try it Yourself »