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

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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.)

Accepted Answer

Star Strider
Star Strider on 31 Jan 2015
Edited: MathWorks Support Team on 27 Nov 2018
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)
  9 Comments
Adam Hooker
Adam Hooker on 24 Feb 2021
Moved: Adam Danz on 26 Jan 2024
I too am having this problem.
Yijun Li
Yijun Li on 26 Feb 2021
Moved: Adam Danz on 26 Jan 2024
same problem. I am using 2019a Windows, gca.YAxis.FontSize = 40 does not change the tick font

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More Answers (1)

Zaid hamamah
Zaid hamamah on 25 Apr 2022
Edited: Adam Danz on 29 Jan 2024
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.

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