ListInterpolation [array]
constructs an InterpolatingFunction object that represents an approximate function that interpolates the array of values given.
ListInterpolation [array,{{xmin,xmax},{ymin,ymax},…}]
specifies the domain of the grid from which the values in array are assumed to come.
ListInterpolation
ListInterpolation [array]
constructs an InterpolatingFunction object that represents an approximate function that interpolates the array of values given.
ListInterpolation [array,{{xmin,xmax},{ymin,ymax},…}]
specifies the domain of the grid from which the values in array are assumed to come.
Details and Options
- You can replace {xmin,xmax} etc. by explicit lists of positions for grid lines. The grid lines are otherwise assumed to be equally spaced.
- ListInterpolation [array] assumes grid lines at integer positions in each direction.
- array can be an array in any number of dimensions, corresponding to a list with any number of levels of nesting.
- ListInterpolation [array,domain] generates an InterpolatingFunction object that returns values with the same precision as those in {array,domain}.
- ListInterpolation supports a Method option. Possible settings include "Spline" for spline interpolation and "Hermite" for Hermite interpolation.
Examples
open all close allBasic Examples (3)
Construct an approximate function that interpolates the data:
Apply the function to find interpolated values:
Plot the interpolation function:
Compare with the original data:
Construct an approximate function with the x values equally spaced on the interval :
Apply the function to find interpolated values:
Plot the interpolation function with the original data:
Construct an approximate function that interpolates the values from an array of values:
Plot the function with the original data:
Scope (4)
Interpolate between points at arbitrary x values:
The x values may be included in the data directly:
Create data with Table :
Form the interpolation:
Plot the interpolated function:
Create a list of multidimensional data:
Create an approximate interpolating function:
Plot the interpolating function:
Generalizations & Extensions (3)
Create data including derivative values:
Construct an interpolation:
Plot the interpolation:
Create 2D data that includes a gradient vector at each point:
Compare with data that does not include gradients:
Also include tensors of second derivatives:
Options (7)
InterpolationOrder (4)
Make a 0^(th)-order interpolation:
Make a linear interpolation:
Make a quadratic interpolation:
Make an interpolation linear in the first dimension and quadratic in the second:
Method (1)
Compare splines with piecewise Hermite interpolation for random data:
The curves appear close, but the spline has a continuous derivative:
PeriodicInterpolation (2)
Make an interpolating function that repeats periodically:
Make an interpolating function that repeats periodically in the second dimension only:
Properties & Relations (2)
The interpolating function always goes through the data points:
Find the integral of an interpolating function:
Plot the interpolating function and its integral:
Find a root of the integral:
Possible Issues (4)
Beyond the domain defined by the original data extrapolation is used:
A plot shows the inaccuracy of extrapolation:
With the default choice of order, at least 4 points are needed in each dimension:
With a lower order, fewer points are needed:
The interpolation function will always be continuous, but may not be differentiable:
If derivatives are specified, the interpolation function will have a continuous ^(th) derivative:
Tech Notes
Related Guides
History
Introduced in 1996 (3.0) | Updated in 2008 (7.0)
Text
Wolfram Research (1996), ListInterpolation, Wolfram Language function, https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/ListInterpolation.html (updated 2008).
CMS
Wolfram Language. 1996. "ListInterpolation." Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Wolfram Research. Last Modified 2008. https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/ListInterpolation.html.
APA
Wolfram Language. (1996). ListInterpolation. Wolfram Language & System Documentation Center. Retrieved from https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/ListInterpolation.html
BibTeX
@misc{reference.wolfram_2025_listinterpolation, author="Wolfram Research", title="{ListInterpolation}", year="2008", howpublished="\url{https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/ListInterpolation.html}", note=[Accessed: 17-November-2025]}
BibLaTeX
@online{reference.wolfram_2025_listinterpolation, organization={Wolfram Research}, title={ListInterpolation}, year={2008}, url={https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/ListInterpolation.html}, note=[Accessed: 17-November-2025]}