Help

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

  1. 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.
  2. Press Add a function to overlay another one, for example sin(x).
  3. Drag the graph to pan, scroll the mouse wheel or pinch to zoom, or use Zoom in, Zoom out and Reset view under it.
  4. Open Graph settings to type exact bounds, switch the graph mode or hide the grid.
Example Function: x^2 (the starting graph)
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.

Polar rose Type: cos(3*theta)
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 typeIt means
+ - * /, ^ or **Arithmetic and powers
2x, 3(x+1), (x+1)(x-1), x sin xImplicit multiplication
pi (or π), eThe constants pi and Euler's number
sin cos tan sec csc cotTrigonometric functions, in radians
asin acos atan (also arcsin arccos arctan)Inverse trigonometric functions
sinh cosh tanhHyperbolic functions
sqrt cbrt abs expSquare root, cube root, absolute value, e to the power
ln, log, log2, log10Natural log, log base 10 (log), base 2, base 10
floor ceil round signRounding 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.

Recommended

Helps keep the tools free. ✨

Images are for illustration only. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.