How to Reverse Axes in Matplotlib?

In Matplotlib we can reverse axes of a graph using multiple methods. Most common method is by using invert_xaxis() and invert_yaxis() for the axes objects.  Other than that we can also use xlim() and ylim(), and axis() methods for the pyplot object.

Method 1: Using invert_xaxis() and invert_yaxis() method

To invert X-axis and Y-axis, we can use invert_xaxis() and invert_yaxis() function. We can invert either any one of the axes or both axes using the above methods.

Code:

Python3

# importing numpy and matplotlib
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# creating an x sequence
x = np.linspace(5, 15, 35)

# equation of a straight line
y = 3*x+4

# creating graph space for two graphs
graph, (plot1, plot2) = plt.subplots(1, 2)

# plot1 graph for normal axes
plot1.plot(x, y)
plot1.set_title("Normal Plot")

# plot2 graph for inverted axes
plot2.plot(x, y)
plot2.set_title("Inverted Plot")
plot2.invert_xaxis()
plot2.invert_yaxis()

# display the graph
graph.tight_layout()
plt.show()

Output:

Normal Plot and Inverted Plot (Both axes inverted)

Method 2: Using xlim() and ylim() method

xlim() and ylim() can also be used to invert axes of a graph plot. They are generally used to set or get limits for X-axis and Y-axis respectively. But if we pass the minimum value in the axis as the upper limit and maximum value in the axis as the lower limit we can get a reverted axis.

Code:

Python3

# importing numpy and matplotlib
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# creating an x sequence
x = np.linspace(5, 15, 35)

# equation of a straight line
y = 3*x+4

# creating graph space for two graphs
graph, (plot1, plot2) = plt.subplots(1, 2)

# plot1 graph for normal axes
plot1.plot(x, y)
plot1.set_title("Normal Plot")

# plot2 graph for inverted axes
plot2.plot(x, y)
plot2.set_title("Inverted Plot")
plt.xlim(max(x), min(x))
plt.ylim(max(y), min(y))

# display the graph
graph.tight_layout()
plt.show()

Output:

Normal Plot and Inverted Plot (Both axes inverted)

Method 3: Using axis() method

Similar to xlim() and ylim(), axis() method is also used to set the minimum and maximum values of the X-axis and Y-axis. So, if we pass the minimum value in the axis as the upper limit and the maximum value in the axis as the lower limit we can get a reverted axis.

Code:

Python3

# importing numpy and matplotlib
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# creating an x sequence
x = np.linspace(5, 15, 35)

# equation of a straight line
y = 3*x+4

# creating graph space for two graphs
graph, (plot1, plot2) = plt.subplots(1, 2)

# plot1 graph for normal axes
plot1.plot(x, y)
plot1.set_title("Normal Plot")

# plot2 graph for inverted axes
plot2.plot(x, y)
plot2.set_title("Inverted Plot")
plt.axis([max(x), min(x), max(y), min(y)])

# display the graph
graph.tight_layout()
plt.show()

Output: