Matplotlib Scatter Plot Examples

Matplotlib – Scatter Plot

In Matplotlib, we can draw a Scatter Plot using scatter() function of matplotlib.pyplot. A scatter plot is a plot of y vs. x with varying marker size and/or color.

The definition of scatter plot with all the parameters is

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scatter(x, y, s=None, c=None, marker=None, cmap=None, norm=None, vmin=None, vmax=None, alpha=None, linewidths=None, *, edgecolors=None, plotnonfinite=False, data=None, **kwargs)

Example

In the following example program, we have drawn a scatter plot for the data points represented by x, y. The values for x and y are generated randomly using numpy.random. 50 points were generated in the range (0, 50).

example.py

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import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

#data
x = np.random.randint(0, 50, 50)
y = np.random.randint(0, 50, 50)

#scatter plot
plt.scatter(x, y)

plt.show()

Output

Now, let us specify size to each of the points. To specify size to each of the markers, pass a list for named parameter s to scatter() function. Respective values from the s size list shall be applied to the markers drawn at points specified by x and y.

In the following example, the size for markers is generated randomly using numpy.random. 50 values are generated for size, in the range (10, 100).

example.py

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import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

#data
x = np.random.randint(0, 50, 50)
y = np.random.randint(0, 50, 50)
#size
size = np.random.randint(10, 100, 50)

#scatter plot
plt.scatter(x, y, s = size)

plt.show()

Output

Matplotlib Scatter Plot - Set Size — Matplotlib Scatter Plot Example – Set Size for Markers

We can set color to each of the marker in the scatter plot. Provide the list of colors as fourth parameter or named parameter c for scatter() function.

In the following example, the color for markers is generated randomly using numpy.random. 50 values are generated for color, in the range (10, 100).

example.py

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import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

#data
x = np.random.randint(0, 50, 50)
y = np.random.randint(0, 50, 50)
#size
size = np.random.randint(10, 100, 50)
#color
color = np.random.randint(10, 100, 50)

#scatter plot
plt.scatter(x, y, s = size, c = color)

plt.show()

Output

Matplotlib Scatter Plot - Set Color — Matplotlib Scatter Plot Example – Set Color for Markers

Conclusion

In this Matplotlib Tutorial, we learned how to draw a Scatter Plot using scatter() function of PyPlot API in Matplotlib.

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Matplotlib Scatter Plot Examples