How can I change the font size of plot tick labels?

I am trying to change the font size of the tick labels (the numbers) in my plots. (Just to be clear, I am NOT referring to the axis labels.)

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

You can change the font size of the tick labels by setting the FontSize property of the Axes object. The FontSize property affects the tick labels and any axis labels. If you want the axis labels to be a different size than the tick labels, then create the axis labels after setting the font size for the rest of the axes text.

For example, access the current Axes object using the gca function. Use dot notation to set the FontSize property for the Axes object. Then create an x-axis label with a different font size.

x = rand(1,100);
y = rand(1,100);
scatter(x,y)
ax = gca;
ax.FontSize = 16; 
xlabel('My Label','FontSize',10)

[Gene Polovy]

I tried this using R2014a first and it didn't work, but I happen to have 2014b on another computer (my department recently upgraded) and it worked there. Thank you! I hope MATLAB looks into this issue ...

[Star Strider]

My pleasure! I’m glad it worked. There are version differences, so hanging out on Answers means the Questions are always something of a moving target.

(The most sincere expression of appreciation here on MATLAB Answers is to Accept the Answer that most closely solves your problem.)

[Image Analyst]

If what you say is true, then they have looked into it. It's fixed in the new version isn't it? You said it was.

[Marzena Krzek -BIO-]

i have 2019b - it doesn't work for me either

[David Slater]

I have 2020a and it doesn't work in that version either.

[Boris Touvykine]

This should work for 2019 & 2020

x = rand(1,100);
y = rand(1,100);
scatter(x,y)
ax = gca;
ax.YAxis.FontSize = 13 %for y-axis 

In general if you want to see what properties are there for axis appearences just run

ax.YAxis

and then click on "show all propeties" in command window.

[Hamid Motallebzadeh]

I'm using 2020b on Mac (Mojave). When I use gca.YAxis.FontSize = 40, it does not change the font size, but gca.YAxis returns

gca.YAxis

ans =

struct with fields:

FontSize: 40

It looks like it has the font size but does not apply it to the figure.

[Adam Hooker]

I too am having this problem.

[Yijun Li]

same problem. I am using 2019a Windows, gca.YAxis.FontSize = 40 does not change the tick font

Answer 2

[Zaid hamamah]

I know it is too late but just for the future readers: (i am using version R2021a)

1) To change the font size of all texts included of (ax) axes, such as y- and x- axes labels in addition to the title or any other text like tick labels:

ax.FontSize =

2) To change all the text attached to one specific axis: (tick labels and label)

ax.XAxis.FontSize =

3) To change only the size of the label:

ax.XLabel.FontSize =

The same goes for y-axis using:

ax.YAxis.FontSize =

ax.YLabel.FontSize =

So if you want to change the tick labels, you can use a general command like the second one, and then readjust the label specifically using the third command.

Lastly, to control the relative difference in font size between the tick labels and axis label:

ax.LabelFontSizeMultiplier =

See Axes Properties for more info.

[nuri hakan aydin]

Very helpful, thank you!

[Zong-Jhen Ye]

Thank you very much for your sharing.

[Isacc Alpala]

Really helpful. Thanks!