Set axis limits and aspect ratios (2024)

Set axis limits and aspect ratios

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Syntax

axis(limits)

axis style

axis mode

axis ydirection

axis visibility

lim = axis

___ = axis(ax,___)

Description

example

axis(limits) specifiesthe limits for the current axes. Specify the limits as vector of four,six, or eight elements.

example

axis style uses apredefined style to set the limits and scaling. For example, specifythe style as equal to use equal data unit lengthsalong each axis.

example

axis mode sets whether MATLAB^® automaticallychooses the limits or not. Specify the mode as manual, auto,or one of the semiautomatic options, such as 'auto x'.

example

axis ydirection, where ydirection is ij,places the origin at the upper left corner of the axes. The y valuesincrease from top to bottom. The default for ydirection is xy,which places the origin at the lower left corner. The y valuesincrease from bottom to top.

example

axis visibility, where visibility is off,turns off the display of the axes background. Plots in the axes stilldisplay. The default for visibility is on,which displays the axes background.

example

lim = axis returnsthe x-axis and y-axis limitsfor the current axes. For 3-D axes, it also returns the z-axislimits. For polar axes, it returns the theta-axisand r-axis limits.

example

___ = axis(ax,___) usesthe axes or polar axes specified by ax insteadof the current axes. Specify ax as the first inputargument for any of the previous syntaxes. Use single quotes aroundinput arguments that are character vectors, such as axis(ax,'equal').

Examples

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Set Axis Limits

Open Live Script

Plot the sine function.

x = linspace(0,2*pi);y = sin(x);plot(x,y,'-o')

Change the axis limits so that the x-axis ranges from $0$ to $2 π$ and the y-axis ranges from -1.5 to 1.5.

axis([0 2*pi -1.5 1.5])

Add Padding Around Stairstep Plot

Open Live Script

Create a stairstep plot, and use the axis padded command to add a margin of padding between the plot and the plot box.

x = 0:12;y = sin(x);stairs(x,y)axis padded

Use Semiautomatic Axis Limits

Open Live Script

Create a plot. Set the limits for the x-axis and set the minimum y-axis limit. Use an automatically calculated value for the maximum y-axis limit.

x = linspace(-10,10,200);y = sin(4*x)./exp(.1*x);plot(x,y)axis([-10 10 0 inf])

Set Axis Limits for Multiple Axes

Open Live Script

Starting in R2019b, you can display a tiling of plots using the tiledlayout and nexttile functions. Call the tiledlayout function to create a 2-by-1 tiled chart layout. Call the nexttile function to create the axes objects ax1 and ax2. Plot data in each axes. Then set the axis limits for both axes to the same values.

tiledlayout(2,1)x1 = linspace(0,10,100);y1 = sin(x1);ax1 = nexttile;plot(ax1,x1,y1)x2 = linspace(0,5,100);y2 = sin(x2);ax2 = nexttile;plot(ax2,x2,y2)axis([ax1 ax2],[0 10 -1 1])

Display Plot Without Axes Background

Open Live Script

Plot a surface without displaying the axes lines and background.

surf(peaks)axis off

Use Tight Axis Limits and Return Values

Open Live Script

Plot a surface. Set the axis limits to equal the range of the data so that the plot extends to the edges of the axes.

surf(peaks)axis tight

Return the values of the current axis limits.

l = axis

l = 1×6 1.0000 49.0000 1.0000 49.0000 -6.5466 8.0752

Change Direction of Coordinate System

Open Live Script

Create a checkerboard plot and change the direction of the coordinate system.

First, create the plot using the summer colormap. By default, the x values increase from left to right and the y values increase from bottom to top.

C = eye(10);pcolor(C)colormap summer

Reverse the coordinate system so that the y values increase from top to bottom.

axis ij

Retain Current Axis Limits When Adding New Plots

Open Live Script

Plot a sine wave.

x = linspace(0,10);y = sin(x);plot(x,y)

Add another sine wave to the axes using hold on. Keep the current axis limits by setting the limits mode to manual.

y2 = 2*sin(x);hold onaxis manualplot(x,y2)hold off

If you want the axes to choose the appropriate limits, set the limits mode back to automatic.

axis auto

Input Arguments

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`limits` — Axis limits
four-element vector | six-element vector | eight-element vector

Axis limits, specified as a vector of four, six, or eight elements.

For Cartesian axes, specify the limits in one of these forms:

[xmin xmax ymin ymax] — Set the x-axis limits to range from xmin to xmax. Set the y-axis limits to range from ymin to ymax.
[xmin xmax ymin ymax zmin zmax] — Also set the z-axis limits to range from zmin to zmax.
[xmin xmax ymin ymax zmin zmax cmin cmax] — Also set the color limits. cmin is the data value that corresponds to the first color in the colormap. cmax is the data value that corresponds to the last color in the colormap.

The XLim, YLim, ZLim, and CLim properties for the Axes object store the limit values.

For polar axes, specify the limits in this form:

[thetamin thetamax rmin rmax] — Set the theta-axis limits to range from thetamin to thetamax. Set the r-axis limits to range from rmin to rmax.

The ThetaLim and RLim properties for the PolarAxes object store the limit values.

For partially automatic limits, use inf or -inf forthe limits you want the axes to choose automatically. For example, axis([-inf10 0 inf]) lets the axes choose the appropriate minimum x-axislimit and maximum y-axis limit. It uses the specifiedvalues for the maximum x-axis limit and minimum y-axislimit.

Note

If the x-axis, y-axis,or z-axis displays categorical, datetime, orduration values, then use the xlim, ylim, and zlim functionsto set the limits instead.

Example: axis([0 1 0 1])

Example: axis([0 1 0 1 0 1])

Example: axis([0 inf 0 inf])

`mode` — Manual, automatic, or semiautomatic selection of axis limits
`manual` | `auto` | `'auto x'` | `'auto y'` | `'auto z'` | `'auto xy'` | `'auto xz'` | `'auto yz'`

Manual, automatic, or semiautomatic selection of axis limits, specified as one of the values in this table. All of the auto mode values use the tickaligned style to calculate the limits for the particular axis or set of axes you specify.

Value	Description	Axes Properties That Change
`manual`	Freeze all axis limits at their current values.	Sets `XLimMode`, `YLimMode`, and `ZLimMode` to `'manual'`. If you are working with polar axes, then this option sets `ThetaLimMode` and `RLimMode` to `'manual'`.
`auto`	Automatically choose all axis limits.	Sets `XLimMode`, `YLimMode`, and `ZLimMode` to `'auto'`. If you are working with polar axes, then this option sets `ThetaLimMode` and `RLimMode` to `'auto'`.
`'auto x'`	Automatically choose the x-axis limits.	Sets `XLimMode` to `'auto'`.
`'auto y'`	Automatically choose the y-axis limits.	Sets `YLimMode` to `'auto'`.
`'auto z'`	Automatically choose the z-axis limits.	Sets `ZLimMode` to `'auto'`.
`'auto xy'`	Automatically choose the x-axis and y-axis limits.	Sets `XLimMode` and `YLimMode` to `'auto'`.
`'auto xz'`	Automatically choose the x-axis and z-axis limits.	Sets `XLimMode` and `ZLimMode` to `'auto'`.
`'auto yz'`	Automatically choose the y-axis and z-axis limits.	Sets `YLimMode` and `ZLimMode` to `'auto'`.

Note

You cannot use these options with polar axes.

`style` — Axis limits and scaling
`tight` | `padded` | `fill` | `equal` | `image` | `square` | `vis3d` | `normal`

Axis limits and scaling, specified as one of these values.

Value	Description	Axes Properties That Change
`tickaligned`	In general, align the edges of the axes box with the tick marks that are closest to your data without excluding any data. The appearance might vary depending on the type of data you plot and the type of chart you create.	`XLimMode`, `YLimMode`, and `ZLimMode` change to `'auto'`. `XLimitMethod`, `YLimitMethod`, and `ZLimitMethod` change to `'tickaligned'`. `XLim`, `YLim`, and `ZLim` automatically update to incorporate new data added to the axes. To keep the limits from changing when using `hold on`, use `axis tickaligned manual`.
`tight`	Fit the axes box tightly around the data by setting the axis limits equal to the range of the data.	`XLimMode`, `YLimMode`, and `ZLimMode` change to `'auto'`. If you are working with polar axes, then `ThetaLimMode` and `RLimMode` change. `XLimitMethod`, `YLimitMethod`, and `ZLimitMethod` change to `'tight'`. `XLim`, `YLim`, and `ZLim` automatically update to incorporate new data added to the axes. To keep the limits from changing when using `hold on`, use `axis tight manual`.
`padded`	Fit the axes box around the data with a thin margin of padding on all sides. The width of the margin is approximately 7% of your data range.	`XLimMode`, `YLimMode`, and `ZLimMode` change to `'auto'`. `XLimitMethod`, `YLimitMethod`, and `ZLimitMethod` change to `'padded'`. `XLim`, `YLim`, and `ZLim` automatically update to incorporate new data added to the axes. To keep the limits from changing when using `hold on`, use `axis padded manual`.
`equal`	Use the same length for the data units along each axis.	Sets `DataAspectRatio` to `[1 1 1]` and sets `DataAspectRatioMode` and `PlotBoxAspectRatioMode` to `'manual'`. For 2-D views, it also sets the `XLimMode` and `YLimMode` appropriately so that the axes fills its allotted space within the parent figure or other container. For 3-D Views, `XLimMode`, `YLimMode`, and `ZLimMode` are set to `'auto'` and `XLimitMethod`, `YlimitMethod`, and `ZLimitMethod` are set to `'tight'`. This style disables the default “stretch-to-fill” behavior.
`image`	Use the same length for the data units along each axis andfit the axes box tightly around the data.	Sets `DataAspectRatio` to `[1 1 1]`, `DataAspectRatioMode` to `'manual'`, and `PlotBoxAspectRatioMode` to `'auto'`. It also sets `XLimMode`, `YLimMode`, and `ZLimMode` to `'auto'` and `XLimitMethod`, `YlimitMethod`, and `ZLimitMethod` to `'tight'`. This style disables the default “stretch-to-fill” behavior.
`square`	Use axis lines with equal lengths. Adjust the increments betweendata units accordingly.	Sets `PlotBoxAspectRatio` to `[1 1 1]` and sets the associated mode property to manual. This style disables the default “stretch-to-fill” behavior.
`fill`	Enable the “stretch-to-fill” behavior (the default). The lengths of each axis line fill the position rectangle defined in the Position property of the axes.	Sets `DataAspectRatioMode` and `PlotBoxAspectRatioMode` to `'auto'`.
`vis3d`	Freeze the aspect ratio properties.	Sets `DataAspectRatioMode`, `PlotBoxAspectRatioMode`, and `CameraViewAngleMode` to `'manual'`.
`normal`	Restore the default behavior.	Sets `DataAspectRatioMode` and `PlotBoxAspectRatioMode` to `'auto'`.

For more information on the plot box aspect ratio and the dataaspect ratio, see the PlotBoxAspectRatio and DataAspectRatio properties.

Note

You cannot use these options with polar axes, except for the axistight and axis normal commands.

`ydirection` — y-axis direction
`xy` (default) | `ij`

y-axis direction, specified as one of thesevalues:

xy — Default direction.For axes in a 2-D view, the y-axis is verticalwith values increasing from bottom to top.
ij — Reverse direction.For axes in a 2-D view, the y-axis is verticalwith values increasing from top to bottom.

Note

You cannot use these options with polar axes.

`visibility` — Axes lines and background visibility
`"on"` | `"off"` | `true` or `1` | `false` or `0` | `OnOffSwitchState` value

Axes lines and background visibility, specified any of these values:

"on" or "off" — A value of "on" displays the axes lines and background, and "off" hides them. You can also specify the character vectors 'on' or 'off'.
Numeric or logical 1 (true) or 0 (false) — A value of 1 or true displays the axes lines and background, and 0 or false hides them. (since R2024a)
A matlab.lang.OnOffSwitchState value — A value of matlab.lang.OnOffSwitchState.on displays the axes lines and background, and matlab.lang.OnOffSwitchState.off hides them. (since R2024a)

Note

Use parentheses to specify 1, 0, true, false, or an OnOffSwitchState value. For example, axis(0) and axis(false) hide the axes.

Parentheses are optional for the values "on" and "off". For example, axis off hides the axes.

Specifying the visibility sets the Visible property of the Axes object or PolarAxes object to the specified value.

`ax` — Target axes
one or more axes

Target axes, specified as one or more axes. You can specify Axes objectsor PolarAxes objects. If you do not specify theaxes, then axis sets the limits for the currentaxes (gca).

When you specify the axes, use single quotes around other inputarguments that are character vectors.

Example: axis(ax,'tight')

Example: axis(ax,limits)

Example: axis(ax,'manual')

Output Arguments

collapse all

`lim` — Current limit values
four-element vector | six-element vector

Current limit values, returned as a four-element or six-elementvector.

For Cartesian axes in a 2-D view, lim is of the form [xmin xmax ymin ymax]. For axes in a 3-D view, lim is of the form [xmin xmax ymin ymax zmin zmax]. The XLim, YLim, and ZLim properties for the Axes object store the limit values.
For polar axes, lim is of the form [thetamin thetamax rmin rmax]. The ThetaLim and RLim properties for the PolarAxes object store the limit values.

Tips

You can combine multiple input arguments together, for example, axis image ij. The options are evaluated from left to right. Subsequent options can overwrite properties set by prior ones.
If axes do not exist, the axis functioncreates them.
Use hold on to keep plotting functionsfrom overriding preset axis limits.

Version History

Introduced before R2006a

expand all

R2024a: Display or hide axes by specifying logical or `OnOffSwitchState` value

Display or hide the axes by specifying the visibility input argument as a logical value or as a matlab.lang.OnOffSwitchState value. The values 1 and true are equivalent to "on", and 0 and false are equivalent to "off".

The values "on" and "off" are still supported.

R2015a: Querying limit selection mode, visibility, and y-axis direction will no longer be supported

This syntax, which returns the axis limit selection mode (m), visibility (v), and y-axis direction (d) issues a warning that it will be removed in a future release.

[m,v,d] = axis('state')

You can get the same information by querying these Axes properties:

Axis limit selection mode — XLimMode, YLimMode, and ZLimMode properties
Visibility — Visible property
x- and y-axis direction — XDir and YDir properties

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Set axis limits and aspect ratios (2024)

Syntax

Description

Examples

Set Axis Limits

Add Padding Around Stairstep Plot

Use Semiautomatic Axis Limits

Set Axis Limits for Multiple Axes

Display Plot Without Axes Background

Use Tight Axis Limits and Return Values

Change Direction of Coordinate System

Retain Current Axis Limits When Adding New Plots

Input Arguments

`limits` — Axis limits
four-element vector | six-element vector | eight-element vector

`mode` — Manual, automatic, or semiautomatic selection of axis limits
`manual` | `auto` | `'auto x'` | `'auto y'` | `'auto z'` | `'auto xy'` | `'auto xz'` | `'auto yz'`

`style` — Axis limits and scaling
`tight` | `padded` | `fill` | `equal` | `image` | `square` | `vis3d` | `normal`

`ydirection` — y-axis direction
`xy` (default) | `ij`

`visibility` — Axes lines and background visibility
`"on"` | `"off"` | `true` or `1` | `false` or `0` | `OnOffSwitchState` value

`ax` — Target axes
one or more axes

Output Arguments

`lim` — Current limit values
four-element vector | six-element vector

Tips

Version History

R2024a: Display or hide axes by specifying logical or `OnOffSwitchState` value

R2015a: Querying limit selection mode, visibility, and y-axis direction will no longer be supported

See Also

Functions

Properties

Topics

MATLAB Command

Americas

Europe

Asia Pacific

Set axis limits and aspect ratios (2024)

Syntax

Description

Examples

Set Axis Limits

Add Padding Around Stairstep Plot

Use Semiautomatic Axis Limits

Set Axis Limits for Multiple Axes

Display Plot Without Axes Background

Use Tight Axis Limits and Return Values

Change Direction of Coordinate System

Retain Current Axis Limits When Adding New Plots

Input Arguments

limits — Axis limits four-element vector | six-element vector | eight-element vector

mode — Manual, automatic, or semiautomatic selection of axis limits manual | auto | 'auto x' | 'auto y' | 'auto z' | 'auto xy' | 'auto xz' | 'auto yz'

style — Axis limits and scaling tight | padded | fill | equal | image | square | vis3d | normal

ydirection — y-axis direction xy (default) | ij

visibility — Axes lines and background visibility "on" | "off" | true or 1 | false or 0 | OnOffSwitchState value

ax — Target axes one or more axes

Output Arguments

lim — Current limit values four-element vector | six-element vector

Tips

Version History

R2024a: Display or hide axes by specifying logical or OnOffSwitchState value

R2015a: Querying limit selection mode, visibility, and y-axis direction will no longer be supported

See Also

Functions

Properties

Topics

MATLAB Command

Americas

Europe

Asia Pacific

`limits` — Axis limits
four-element vector | six-element vector | eight-element vector

`mode` — Manual, automatic, or semiautomatic selection of axis limits
`manual` | `auto` | `'auto x'` | `'auto y'` | `'auto z'` | `'auto xy'` | `'auto xz'` | `'auto yz'`

`style` — Axis limits and scaling
`tight` | `padded` | `fill` | `equal` | `image` | `square` | `vis3d` | `normal`

`ydirection` — y-axis direction
`xy` (default) | `ij`

`visibility` — Axes lines and background visibility
`"on"` | `"off"` | `true` or `1` | `false` or `0` | `OnOffSwitchState` value

`ax` — Target axes
one or more axes

`lim` — Current limit values
four-element vector | six-element vector

R2024a: Display or hide axes by specifying logical or `OnOffSwitchState` value