Constrained layout vs tight layout in Matplotlib - Visual Side-by-Side Comparison

Concept Flow - Constrained layout vs tight layout

Create Figure and Axes

↓

Plot Data on Axes

↓

Apply Layout Method

↓

Use tight_layout()

↓

Adjust Spacing

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Render Figure

This flow shows creating a plot, then choosing either tight_layout or constrained_layout to adjust spacing before rendering.

Execution Sample

Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
fig, axs = plt.subplots(2, 2)
fig.tight_layout()
plt.show()

This code creates a 2x2 grid of plots and adjusts spacing using tight_layout before showing the figure.

Execution Table

Step	Action	Layout Method	Spacing Adjustment	Result
1	Create figure and 4 subplots	None	Default spacing	4 plots with default spacing
2	Call fig.tight_layout()	tight_layout	Adjusts subplot params to minimize overlap	Subplots spaced tighter, labels visible
3	Render figure	tight_layout	Spacing applied	Figure displayed with adjusted layout
4	Create figure and 4 subplots	None	Default spacing	4 plots with default spacing
5	Set fig.constrained_layout = True	constrained_layout	Automatically adjusts spacing using layout engine	Subplots spaced with better alignment
6	Render figure	constrained_layout	Spacing applied	Figure displayed with adjusted layout
7	End	N/A	N/A	Execution stops after rendering

💡 Execution stops after figure rendering with layout adjustments applied.

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After tight_layout	After constrained_layout	Final
fig	Figure with default spacing	Figure with tight_layout spacing	Figure with constrained_layout spacing	Figure rendered
axs	Array of 4 Axes	Unchanged	Unchanged	Unchanged

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why does tight_layout sometimes fail to adjust spacing correctly?

tight_layout adjusts spacing based on subplot parameters but can fail with complex layouts or certain artists; see execution_table rows 2 and 3 where spacing is adjusted but may not be perfect.

How is constrained_layout different from tight_layout in spacing adjustment?

constrained_layout uses a layout engine that considers figure elements more globally for better spacing, as shown in execution_table rows 5 and 6 where spacing is more consistent.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, at which step is tight_layout applied?

A Step 2

B Step 5

C Step 3

D Step 6

💡 Hint

Check the 'Layout Method' column for 'tight_layout' in the execution_table.

According to variable_tracker, what changes after applying constrained_layout?

A The axs array changes shape

B Both fig and axs change

C The fig spacing changes

D No variables change

💡 Hint

Look at the 'After constrained_layout' column for 'fig' in variable_tracker.

If you skip calling tight_layout or setting constrained_layout, what happens to spacing?

A Spacing automatically adjusts perfectly

B Spacing remains default and may cause overlap

C Figure will not render

D Plots disappear

💡 Hint

Refer to execution_table rows 1 and 4 showing default spacing before layout adjustments.

Concept Snapshot

matplotlib layout adjustment methods:
- tight_layout(): adjusts subplot params to reduce overlap
- constrained_layout=True: uses layout engine for better spacing
- Use tight_layout() for simple cases
- Use constrained_layout for complex figures
- Both improve figure readability by adjusting spacing

Full Transcript

This visual execution compares matplotlib's tight_layout and constrained_layout methods. First, a figure with 4 subplots is created with default spacing. Calling fig.tight_layout() adjusts subplot parameters to reduce overlap, but may not handle complex layouts perfectly. Setting fig.constrained_layout = True uses a layout engine that considers all figure elements for better spacing and alignment. Variable tracking shows that the figure's spacing changes after applying these methods, while the axes array remains unchanged. Key moments clarify why tight_layout can fail and how constrained_layout differs. The visual quiz tests understanding of when each layout method is applied and their effects on spacing. The concept snapshot summarizes usage and differences between these two layout adjustment methods.