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For custom x-axis tick text at known positions, pass positions, labels and text properties together with Axes.set_xticks. For example, fontsize=12 sets the label size, while **fontdict unpacks a mapping of text properties. Matplotlib discourages using set_xticklabels on its own because the labels depend on tick positions, which can change.
Set custom labels and their font properties together
When you know where the ticks belong and what each label should say, use set_xticks(positions, labels, ...). This keeps each string paired with its intended location and lets you set properties such as font size, weight, color or rotation in the same call.
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
positions = [0, 1, 2]
labels = ["First", "Second", "Third"]
fig, ax = plt.subplots()
ax.plot([0, 1, 2], [4, 6, 5])
ax.set_xticks(positions, labels, fontsize=12, fontweight="bold")
plt.show()Here, fontsize=12 and fontweight="bold" are text properties applied to the tick labels. You can pass other supported text properties as keyword arguments, for example rotation=30.
Use a fontdict when your properties are already in a dictionary
A dictionary can keep reusable text settings together. Unpack it with ** when calling set_xticks:
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fontdict = {
"fontsize": 12,
"fontweight": "bold",
"color": "darkblue",
}
ax.set_xticks(positions, labels, **fontdict)In this pattern, fontdict is simply a Python variable containing keyword arguments. Matplotlib’s current API reference discourages the fontdict parameter to set_xticklabels in favor of individual keyword arguments or an unpacked mapping.
When set_xticklabels is necessary
Axes.set_xticklabels(labels, ...) assigns strings to the tick locations set on the axis. Matplotlib documents that it uses the labels as-is through a FixedFormatter, and cautions that use of this method is discouraged because it depends on tick positions. If you use it, set the positions first:
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ax.set_xticks(positions)
ax.set_xticklabels(labels, fontsize=12, fontweight="bold")This can be suitable for a static plot, but it only styles the current ticks. Later plotting operations or interactive pan and zoom may create, remove or modify ticks, and the styling may not persist. The current Matplotlib 3.11.1 API reference recommends using tick parameters when possible for persistent tick styling. The versioned Matplotlib 3.7.3 reference contains similar cautions; these references do not establish when the guidance changed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose between custom labels and general tick styling
| Need | Use | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Specific label strings at known locations | ax.set_xticks(positions, labels, fontsize=12) |
Sets the positions and labels together, with text properties. |
| General appearance such as label size, without replacing the text | ax.tick_params(axis="x", labelsize=12) |
Styles x-axis tick labels; it does not supply arbitrary label strings. |
Existing code that calls set_xticklabels |
Set fixed positions first, then call set_xticklabels |
Assigns strings to the current fixed tick locations; later tick changes can affect them. |
For tick_params, the documented method is set_tick_params; it is the appropriate choice when the goal is persistent tick styling rather than custom text. See the current API reference for the set_xticklabels guidance.
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Check positions, labels and Matplotlib version
- Make sure the labels sequence corresponds to the fixed tick locations; each intended position needs its matching string.
- Do not leave tick locations free to move and assume strings assigned with
set_xticklabelswill remain attached to the desired values. - If you use
set_xticks(positions, labels, ...), confirm that the installed Matplotlib version supports the call signature in your environment. The current stable reference is labeled 3.11.1, while a version-specific 3.7.3 reference is also available. - For exact behavior in an older or otherwise version-specific environment, consult that version’s API documentation; these references alone do not establish a release-by-release change history.
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