Matplotlib Different Size Subplots

Deeper Down The Rabbit Hole: GridSpec and rowspan/colspan

When GridSpec feels limiting, remember it packs a punch with rowspan and colspan for superior subplot control. Let's see it in action with a tasteful layout below:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from matplotlib.gridspec import GridSpec

fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(10, 6))
gs = GridSpec(2, 3, figure=fig, width_ratios=[3, 1, 1], height_ratios=[1, 2])

# First subplot spanning the full width of the top row
ax1 = fig.add_subplot(gs[0, :])
# Second subplot spanning the first 2 columns of the bottom row
ax2 = fig.add_subplot(gs[1, 0:2])
# Third and the largest subplot in the bottom-right corner
ax3 = fig.add_subplot(gs[1, 2])  # Because everybody loves a corner seat!

plt.tight_layout()  # Pulling up the pants of our plot
plt.show()


Fine-tuning Your Subplots

Manually Controlling Subplot Dimensions

Get hands-y with your subplots and manually adjust their dimensions using the axes object parameters, not efficient, but hey you call the shots!

fig = plt.figure()
ax1 = fig.add_axes([0.1, 0.1, 0.8, 0.4])   # Making room for a big fat plot
ax2 = fig.add_axes([0.3, 0.6, 0.4, 0.3])   # Squeezed in, but still pretty fly!

plt.show()


The Power of Python: subplot2grid

Invoke the power of Python's grid control with subplot2grid for precise cell access and size control, feeling like a plotting wizard yet?

ax1 = plt.subplot2grid((3, 3), (0, 0), colspan=2)  # Stretching across 2 columns like a boss!
ax2 = plt.subplot2grid((3, 3), (1, 0), colspan=2, rowspan=2)  # Rowspan and Colspan, double trouble!
ax3 = plt.subplot2grid((3, 3), (0, 2), rowspan=3)  # One lean column for me, thank you!

plt.show()


Size Matters: Control Figure Size

figsize, a nifty parameter, controls the overall figure size. A larger figsize can give your beautiful subplots the space they deserve.

Plot and Share

You've orchestrated a masterpiece with subplot positioning. Time to show it off! Save your figures as a PDF using fig.savefig, perfect for print or digital sharing.

fig.savefig('my_subplots.pdf')   # Your plots, wherever you go!


Doctor's Orders: Tips, Tricks, and Fixes

Quickfire Shortcuts for Speed-Demons

• Lightning-fast grid layout: fig, axs = plt.subplots(2, 2)
• Sync axis limits with: sharex=True or sharey=True

Watch Your Step!

• Subplots can overlap: plt.tight_layout() to the rescue!
• Beware of messed up ratios: if it looks stretched, rework subplot dimensions.

Pythonic Plotting Practices

• Complex plots? Go object-oriented.
• fig.add_subplot() adds plots to specific grid positions.