Difference Between cla(), clf() and close() Methods in Matplotlib

Matplotlib is a library in Python. It is a mathematical extension of the Numpy Library. It is a comprehensive library for creating static, animated, and interactive visualizations in Python. Pyplot is a state-based interface to a Matplotlib module. The Pyplot can create many types of plots such as line graphs, bar graphs, histograms, etc. The cla(), clf() and close() are different methods and functions of Matplotlib.

What is cla() in Matplotlib

This cla()method in the Pyplot module of the Matplotlib library is used to clear the current axes.

Example:

Python3

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

t = np.linspace(0.0, 2.0, 401)
s = np.sin(2 * np.pi * t)

fig, [ax, ax1] = plt.subplots(2, 1)

ax.set_ylabel('y-axis')
ax.plot(t, s)
ax.grid(True)

ax1.set_ylabel('y-axis')
ax1.set_xlabel('x-axis')
ax1.plot(t, s)
ax1.grid(True)
# Function call
ax1.cla()

fig.suptitle('matplotlib.pyplot.cla Example')
plt.show()

Output:

The subplot ax1 content is cleared.

What is clf() in Matplotlib

The clf() method in the Pyplot module of the Matplotlib library is used to clear the entire current figure. It even clears the subplot. It leaves the window space open so that it can be reused by other plots.

Example:

Python3

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

t = np.linspace(0.0, 2.0, 201)
s = np.sin(2 * np.pi * t)

fig, [ax, ax1] = plt.subplots(2, 1)

ax.set_ylabel('y-axis')
ax.plot(t, s)
ax.grid(True)

ax1.set_ylabel('y-axis')
ax1.set_xlabel('x-axis')
ax1.plot(t, s)
ax1.grid(True)

# Func. call
plt.clf()

fig.suptitle('matplotlib.pyplot.clf Example')
plt.show()

Output:

The clf() function cleared the entire figure and only space is left.

What is close() Matplotlib 

The close() method in the Pyplot module of the Matplotlib library is used to close the window of the plot. By default, it closes the current window. Since the window is closed there will no output in this method.

Example:

Python3

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

t = np.linspace(0.0, 2.0, 201)
s = np.sin(2 * np.pi * t)

fig, [ax, ax1] = plt.subplots(2, 1)

ax.set_ylabel('y-axis')
ax.plot(t, s)
ax.grid(True)

ax1.set_ylabel('y-axis')
ax1.set_xlabel('x-axis')
ax1.plot(t, s)
ax1.grid(True)

# Function call
plt.close()

fig.suptitle('matplotlib.pyplot.close Example')
plt.show()

Difference Between cla() vs. clf() vs. close()

cla()	clf()	close()
Used to clear the current axes	Used to clear the entire current figure	Used to close the window of the plot
It only clears the currently active plot	Leaves the window space open so that it can be reused by other plots	Terminates the plot completely
Doesn’t affect any other subplot	It even clears the subplot.	Closes the plots entirely