How to use the Scientific Graph Maker
- Paste or upload your data. Columns named SD, SE or Error are picked up as error bars.
- Choose a figure width: 3.5 in (single column), 5.5 in or 7.2 in (double column).
- Set fonts, axis ranges, log scale and a fitted model.
- Export PDF or SVG for vector figures, or PNG at 600 DPI.
Journal-style defaults
Figures use a closed frame with inward major and minor ticks on all four sides, Arial or Times text at a real point size, and no chart junk. The figure size is set in inches, so an 8 pt label stays 8 pt when you place the figure at 100% in your manuscript. This is the main difference from general chart makers, which scale everything to the screen.
Units, symbols and notation
Write units the way they are printed: m s^{-1}, cm^3, H_2SO_4, \mu M, \Delta G (kJ mol^{-1}). Large and small tick values switch to scientific notation (1.5×10⁴) automatically, and log axes are labelled in powers of ten.
Curve fitting
Fit linear, quadratic, cubic, exponential (y = ae^{bx}), logarithmic and power-law (y = ax^b) models by least squares. Fitted parameters and R² are listed in the results table so you can copy them into your report. Exponential and power fits are performed on log-transformed data, which is the standard approach for these models.
Reproduce it in Python
"Copy Python code" generates a self-contained matplotlib script with your data, labels and styles. Use it to learn plotting in Python, to make figures reproducible, or to fine-tune details the web tool does not cover.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this a free alternative to Origin or SigmaPlot?
- For common 2D plots (line, scatter, bar, histogram and box plots with error bars and fits) yes. It does not replace advanced analysis such as nonlinear fitting of custom models or 3D plots.
- What DPI do journals require?
- Typically 300 DPI for photos and colour figures and 600–1000 DPI for line art. Vector PDF or SVG avoids the issue entirely and is preferred by many publishers.
- Which fonts are available?
- Arial, Helvetica and Times New Roman: the fonts most journal style guides require.
- Is my data private?
- No. Your data never leaves your browser. Plotiq parses and plots files locally with JavaScript, so nothing is uploaded to a server.
Last updated: · by the Plotiq team