Inserting a degree symbol into python plot

Question

This is a really simple problem but its escaping me. I'm just trying to insert a degree symbol into the titles and legends of my python plot. Code is below. Thanks.

from numpy import * import numpy as np import matplotlib.pyplot as plt  theta1 = linspace(0,60,610) theta2 = linspace(0,45,460) theta3 = linspace(45,90,460)  CTS = 1/cos(radians(theta1)) CTS0 = 1/cos(radians(60-theta2)) CTS45 = 1/cos(radians(105-theta3))  plt.plot(theta1,CTS,label=u'CTS Head at 0',linewidth=2) plt.plot(theta2,CTS0,label='CTS Head at 60',linewidth=2) plt.plot(theta3,CTS45,label='CTS Head at 105',linewidth=2)  plt.xlabel('Manufactured Ply Angle (degrees)') plt.ylabel('Thickness')  plt.legend( loc='lower right', numpoints = 1 ) plt.ylim([0,2.5])  plt.grid(b=None, which='major', axis='both') plt.grid(color='k', linestyle='--', linewidth=0.5) plt.axhline(y=1.035, xmin=0, xmax=90,color='k', linestyle='-', linewidth=1)  plt.show() 

Answer 1

Use LaTeX Style. For Example: $^\circ$ Text would produce °Text

See the matplotlib documentation for more information about printing (especially mathematical expression).

In your case the code has to be: plt.xlabel('Manufactured Ply Angle $^\circ$')

The TeX part of the expression must be enclosed by dollar signs "$".

Answer 2

Use LaTeX math. On my system the best visual appearance is achieved with

label = r'$45\degree$'

and it looks exactly like the default theta labels of a polar plot.

As others have pointed out kludges like

• label = r'$45^\circ$'
• label = '$45^o$'

etc. work too but the visual appearance is not so good. On my system these workarounds render a symbol that is slightly too small. YMMV, thus one may want to try what looks best on her system.

For example on a polar contour plot where radius is sine of zenith angle one may want to use

deg_labels = np.array([5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90]) ax.set_rgrids(np.sin(np.deg2rad(deg_labels)),                    labels=(r"${:.0f}\degree$".format(_) for _ in deg_labels))