Online Graphing Calculator
This online graphing calculator plots up to five functions at once, either Cartesian
y = f(x) or polar r = f(θ), and redraws the graph as you type. Drag to pan,
scroll or pinch to zoom, and set exact X and Y bounds in Graph settings. It runs in your browser with no
download and no account, and nothing you type is uploaded.
How to use the graphing calculator
- Type a function into the row marked y =, for example
x^2. The graph updates about a tenth of a second after you stop typing. - Press Add a function to overlay another one, for example
sin(x). - Drag the graph to pan, scroll the mouse wheel or pinch to zoom, or use Zoom in, Zoom out and Reset view under it.
- Open Graph settings to type exact bounds, switch the graph mode or hide the grid.
Result: a parabola through the origin, passing through (3, 9)
Add sin(x)*x: a wave that oscillates with growing amplitude
Graph several functions on one plane
Each row has its own colour dot, matching its curve. Add a function adds a row, up to 5 in total, and the X button on a row removes it. The last row always stays. A half-typed expression keeps the previous good curve on screen until the new one parses.
Pan, zoom and set the axis bounds
The hint under the graph reads Drag to pan · scroll or pinch to zoom. Scrolling or pinching
zooms about the pointer, so the point under your cursor stays put. With the graph focused, the arrow keys pan
and the + and - keys zoom. Reset view returns to x and y from
-10 to 10.
Graph settings holds four boxes, X min, X max, Y min and Y max. Type a number and the graph follows live. After you drag or zoom, the boxes show the current view. If a maximum is not larger than its minimum, the panel says Each maximum must be larger than its minimum. The Show grid lines checkbox is on by default.
How to graph a polar equation
Use theta (or θ) as the variable. Under Graph mode the default is
Auto-detect: any theta in the expression means polar, anything else is
Cartesian. The other two options force Cartesian, y = f(x) or
Polar, r = f(θ). A polar row is labelled r = instead of
y =. Theta runs from 0 to 2π, one full turn, and a negative r is drawn on the opposite
side of the origin.
Result: a rose with three petals
To plot an expression with no theta in it, such as 2, as a polar curve, choose
Polar, r = f(θ) in Graph mode.
What you can type
The leading y =, r = or f(x) = may be typed and is ignored. Numbers
follow the decimal separator of the page language, and scientific notation such as 1.5e3 works.
| You type | It means |
|---|---|
+ - * /, ^ or ** | Arithmetic and powers |
2x, 3(x+1), (x+1)(x-1), x sin x | Implicit multiplication |
pi (or π), e | The constants pi and Euler's number |
sin cos tan sec csc cot | Trigonometric functions, in radians |
asin acos atan (also arcsin arccos arctan) | Inverse trigonometric functions |
sinh cosh tanh | Hyperbolic functions |
sqrt cbrt abs exp | Square root, cube root, absolute value, e to the power |
ln, log, log2, log10 | Natural log, log base 10 (log), base 2, base 10 |
floor ceil round sign | Rounding and sign |
Brackets are optional for one-argument functions, so sin x works, but they are recommended:
sin x^2 means sin(x^2). Odd roots of negative numbers are real, so
x^(1/3) at -8 is -2.
Asymptotes, gaps and error messages
Where a function blows up, such as tan(x) at odd multiples of pi/2 or 1/x at 0, the
graph is drawn as separate branches with no line joining them. Where it is undefined, such as
sqrt(x) for negative x or ln(x) at 0, those points are left out.
An expression that cannot be read gets a red outline and a short message under its row, for example The expression ends too early, A bracket is not closed or Don't know what "foo" means. The previous good curve stays on screen until the expression parses.
What this graphing calculator does not do
It plots functions of x and polar functions of theta. It has no two-argument functions, no
|x| bars (use abs(x)), no inequalities, no implicit curves such as
x^2+y^2=1, no sliders, no degrees mode, no table of values and no image export. For a surface
of z = f(x, y) use the 3D Surface Plotter; for a function of a complex
number use the Complex Function Plotter. To find the slope of a
curve you have graphed, try the Derivative Calculator or the
Function Slope Calculator, and for a single number rather than a
graph, the Expression Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I graph a polar equation?
Type the equation with theta as the variable, for example cos(3*theta), into a function row. Any expression with theta in it is read as polar, the row label changes from y = to r =, and theta is plotted from 0 to 2π, one full turn. cos(3*theta) draws a three-petal rose. To plot an expression with no theta, such as 2, choose Polar, r = f(θ) under Graph mode in Graph settings.
How do I graph multiple functions on the same graph?
Press Add a function to start a new row, type the next function, and every row is drawn on the same axes in its own colour. You can have up to 5 rows. The X button on a row removes it, and the last remaining row stays.
How do I zoom out on the graphing calculator?
Press Zoom out under the graph, scroll the mouse wheel away from you, or pinch two fingers together on a touch screen. Zooming is centred on the pointer. Reset view returns to x and y from -10 to 10. With the graph focused, the - key zooms out and the + key zooms in.
Does the graphing calculator use radians or degrees?
Radians only. There is no degrees mode, so sin(x) means the sine of x radians. To graph the sine of x in degrees, type sin(x*pi/180). The constant pi (or π) is built in.
How do I graph tan x or 1/x without a line across the gap?
Type tan(x) or 1/x. Where the function jumps to infinity, at odd multiples of pi/2 for tan(x) and at x = 0 for 1/x, the graph is drawn as separate branches with no joining line, so the vertical asymptotes show as gaps. Points where the function is undefined, such as sqrt(x) for negative x or ln(x) at 0, are simply left out.
Is this online graphing calculator free, and do I need to download anything?
It is free, needs no download and no account, and works in a phone or desktop browser. The graph is drawn on your device with an expression parser built for this page, and nothing you type is uploaded.
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