How to Show Plot in Matplotlib: Simple Guide

To show a plot in matplotlib, use the plt.show() function after creating your plot. This command opens a window displaying the plot so you can see the visual output.

Syntax

The basic syntax to display a plot in matplotlib is:

• plt.plot(): Creates the plot with your data.
• plt.show(): Opens a window to display the plot.

You must call plt.show() after all plotting commands to see the result.

python

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

plt.plot([1, 2, 3, 4])  # Create a simple line plot
plt.show()  # Display the plot window

Output

A window opens showing a line graph with points at y-values 1, 2, 3, 4

Example

This example creates a simple line plot and shows it using plt.show(). The plot window will display a line connecting the points.

python

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

x = [0, 1, 2, 3]
y = [10, 20, 25, 30]

plt.plot(x, y)  # Plot x vs y
plt.title('Simple Line Plot')  # Add a title
plt.xlabel('X axis')  # Label x-axis
plt.ylabel('Y axis')  # Label y-axis
plt.show()  # Show the plot

Output

A window opens showing a line plot with labeled axes and title

Common Pitfalls

One common mistake is forgetting to call plt.show(), which means the plot will not appear. Another is calling plt.show() before finishing all plot commands, which can cause incomplete plots.

Also, in some environments like Jupyter notebooks, plots may display automatically without plt.show(), but it is good practice to include it for consistency.

python

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Wrong: Missing plt.show(), plot will not display
plt.plot([1, 2, 3])

# Right: Call plt.show() to display
plt.plot([1, 2, 3])
plt.show()

Output

Only the second plot call opens a window showing the line plot

Quick Reference

Remember these tips to show plots correctly:

• Always call plt.show() after plotting commands.
• Prepare your plot fully before calling plt.show().
• In scripts, plt.show() pauses execution until you close the plot window.
• In interactive environments, plots may show automatically but use plt.show() for clarity.

Key Takeaways

Use plt.show() to display your matplotlib plot window.

Call plt.show() after all plotting commands to see the complete plot.

Forgetting plt.show() means no plot window appears in scripts.

In notebooks, plots may show automatically but plt.show() is best practice.

plt.show() pauses script execution until the plot window is closed.