is an option for graphics functions that specifies what range of coordinates to include in a plot.
PlotRange
is an option for graphics functions that specifies what range of coordinates to include in a plot.
Details
- PlotRange can be used for both two- and three-dimensional graphics.
- The following settings can be used:
-
All all points are includedAutomatic outlying points are droppedFull include full range of original datamax explicit limit for each function (see below ){min,max} explicit limits for y (2D), z (3D), or array values{{xmin,xmax},{ymin,ymax}} explicit limits for x and y{{xmin,xmax},{ymin,ymax},{zmin,zmax}} explicit limits for x, y, and z (3D)
- When no explicit limits are given for a particular coordinate, a setting of Automatic is assumed.
- With the Automatic setting, the distribution of coordinate values is found, and any points sufficiently far out in the distribution are dropped. Such points are often produced as a result of singularities in functions being plotted.
- Any explicit limit or pair {min,max} can be replaced by a specification such as All or Automatic .
- A setting such as {min,Automatic } gives a particular minimum value for a coordinate, with a maximum value to be determined automatically.
- If a particular minimum or maximum is specified as {Automatic ,α}, this means that the range should in effect be cut off beyond a fraction α of points in the plot. When smooth curves or surfaces are plotted, the measure of points is based on projected length or area.
- The setting Full can be used in Plot and related functions to specify that a range determined by the original input to the plotting function should be used. »
- Plot [f,{x,xmin,xmax},PlotRange->Full ] specifies that the full range {xmin,xmax} should be used, even if no actual values of f are plotted in part of that range.
- With the setting PlotRange->s, the following ranges are used: »
-
- AbsoluteOptions gives the explicit form of PlotRange specifications when Automatic settings are given.
- The final absolute range of coordinates to include in a plot is determined by PlotRangePadding as well as PlotRange itself.
Examples
open all close allBasic Examples (3)
Automatically drop outlying points:
Explicitly choose and ranges:
Explicitly choose a range:
Choose the range to show all the existing points:
Use the full , range:
Scope (8)
Normally, plot functions drop outlying points, which is equivalent to PlotRange->Automatic :
PlotRange->All shows all of the points:
PlotRange for Graphics and Graphics3D is All , by default:
Drop outlying points, by setting PlotRange->Automatic :
Use PlotRange->All to include all points:
Use PlotRange->Full to include all the points and the original domain:
An explicit range can be given in each direction by {min,max}:
One value of the explicit range can be a symbol such as All or Automatic :
The interpretation of PlotRange->max depends on the function:
Any valid range specification can be given to each direction:
Applications (1)
Plot the CDF of the normal distribution with , :
Properties & Relations (7)
Use ClippingStyle to style the region clipped by PlotRange :
In ordinary graphics, objects can extend beyond the plot range:
Use PlotRangeClipping->True to clip objects to the range:
Normally, plot functions clip objects to the range:
By default, 2% of padding is added to the plot range in each direction:
Prevent padding by setting PlotRangePadding to None :
Include 1 coordinate unit of padding on all sides:
No padding is added if the plot range is explicit:
Scaled coordinates are given by fractions of the plot range:
Neat Examples (3)
An elementary function with pole singularities:
A function with a curve singularity:
A function with random poles:
Tech Notes
History
Introduced in 1988 (1.0) | Updated in 2007 (6.0) ▪ 2017 (11.2)
Text
Wolfram Research (1988), PlotRange, Wolfram Language function, https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/PlotRange.html (updated 2017).
CMS
Wolfram Language. 1988. "PlotRange." Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Wolfram Research. Last Modified 2017. https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/PlotRange.html.
APA
Wolfram Language. (1988). PlotRange. Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Retrieved from https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/PlotRange.html
BibTeX
@misc{reference.wolfram_2025_plotrange, author="Wolfram Research", title="{PlotRange}", year="2017", howpublished="\url{https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/PlotRange.html}", note=[Accessed: 05-December-2025]}
BibLaTeX
@online{reference.wolfram_2025_plotrange, organization={Wolfram Research}, title={PlotRange}, year={2017}, url={https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/PlotRange.html}, note=[Accessed: 05-December-2025]}