Matplotlib save figure to image file

Save figure Matplotlib can save plots directly to a file using savefig(). The method can be used like this:

fig.savefig('plot.png')

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Complete example:

import matplotlib
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
y = [2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20]
x = np.arange(10)
fig = plt.figure()
ax = plt.subplot(111)
ax.plot(x, y, label='$y = numbers')
plt.title('Legend inside')
ax.legend()
#plt.show()
fig.savefig('plot.png')

To change the format, simply change the extension like so:

fig.savefig('plot.pdf')

You can open your file using

display plot.png

or open it in an image or pdf viewer,

A plot saved to a pdf

Prevent cropped labels and borders

Sometimes saved plot files cut off axis labels or legends around the edge. To fix this, pass bbox_inches='tight':

fig.savefig('plot.png', bbox_inches='tight')

Save high resolution images

By default Matplotlib saves images at 100 DPI. For publications, reports, or high-DPI screens, increase the resolution with the dpi parameter:

fig.savefig('plot_high_res.png', dpi=300, bbox_inches='tight')

Matplotlib high resolution figure export at 300 DPI

Save with transparent background

To save an image without a white background so it fits into dark websites or slide presentations, set transparent=True:

fig.savefig('plot_transparent.png', transparent=True)

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