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How to Change Tick Direction in Python Matplotlib

Set tick direction for a Matplotlib Axes with tick_params, or configure persistent defaults with xtick.direction and ytick.direction.
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For a Matplotlib Axes object, set tick direction with ax.tick_params(direction='in'). Use 'out' for ticks pointing outside the plot or 'inout' to draw them both ways.

Set tick direction on an Axes

Call tick_params on the Axes you want to change:

ax.tick_params(direction='in')

Matplotlib documents three accepted values: 'in' places ticks inside the Axes, 'out' places them outside, and 'inout' draws them in both directions. See the Matplotlib 3.10.6 Axes.tick_params API reference.

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Choose the axis and tick group

By default, the call applies to both axes and major ticks. Set axis to 'x', 'y', or 'both', and which to 'major', 'minor', or 'both' to narrow or expand its scope.

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For example, to point only the y-axis minor ticks inward:

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ax.tick_params(axis='y', which='minor', direction='in')

This changes tick marks, not tick-label placement. Label settings and which sides display ticks are separate properties.

Keep other tick settings intact

A direction-only call leaves tick properties you did not specify unchanged. Set reset=True only if you want Matplotlib to reset other tick settings before applying the supplied parameters. The API reference documents this behavior.

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Set a persistent default

To make inward ticks the default across plots using your Matplotlib configuration, set the x- and y-axis rcParams:

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xtick.direction: in
ytick.direction: in

These configuration keys also accept 'out' and 'inout'. Use xtick.direction for x ticks and ytick.direction for y ticks. The stable Matplotlib configuration documentation lists the available settings. For a change limited to one Axes, use ax.tick_params instead.

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Check documentation for your Matplotlib version

The API details here are documented in Matplotlib 3.10.6, while the stable configuration documentation identifies itself as version 3.11.2. If your installed version behaves differently, consult the documentation for that version. The stable Axis.set_tick_params reference points readers to Axes.tick_params for keyword documentation.

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