Axis Label Justification (hjust, vjust)

The hjust and vjust parameters control the horizontal and vertical justification of axis labels in lets-plot.

• hjust (Horizontal Justification):
  Adjusts the horizontal alignment of the label relative to its default position.
  • hjust = 0.0 aligns the label to the left.
  • hjust = 0.5 centers the label.
  • hjust = 1.0 aligns the label to the right.

• vjust (Vertical Justification):
  Adjusts the vertical alignment of the label relative to its default position.
  • vjust = 0.0 aligns the label to the bottom.
  • vjust = 0.5 centers the label vertically.
  • vjust = 1.0 aligns the label to the top.

Both parameters accept values between 0.0 and 1.0 for precise positioning, allowing for fine-tuned control over label placement in your plots.

from lets_plot import *
import pandas as pd

LetsPlot.setup_html()

# Load the mpg dataset
mpg = pd.read_csv("https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JetBrains/lets-plot-docs/master/data/mpg.csv")
mpg.head(3)

	Unnamed: 0	manufacturer	model	displ	year	cyl	trans	drv	cty	hwy	fl	class
0	1	audi	a4	1.8	1999	4	auto(l5)	f	18	29	p	compact
1	2	audi	a4	1.8	1999	4	manual(m5)	f	21	29	p	compact
2	3	audi	a4	2.0	2008	4	manual(m6)	f	20	31	p	compact

# Base plot with manufacturer on x-axis
p = ggplot(mpg, aes(x=as_discrete('manufacturer'), y='hwy')) + \
    geom_boxplot(fill='#7CF', color='#888') + \
    ggtitle("Manufacturer vs Highway MPG") + \
    xlab("Manufacturer") + ylab("Highway MPG")

p + ggtitle("Default Tick Labels")

p + ggtitle("90° Rotation, Center-Aligned Vertically") + \
    theme(axis_text_x=element_text(angle=90, vjust=0.5))

p + ggtitle("30° Rotation, Aligned to the Ticks") + \
    theme(axis_text_x=element_text(angle=30, hjust=1.0, vjust=1.0))

p + ggtitle("40° Rotation, at the Bottom, Center-aligned Horizontally") + \
    theme(axis_text_x=element_text(angle=40, hjust=0.5, vjust=0))

cdata = pd.DataFrame({
    'category': [
        'Highly Recommended',
        'Moderately Satisfactory',
        'Needs Improvement',
        'Exceeds Expectations',
        'Barely Acceptable Quality'
    ],
    'value': [25, 40, 15, 35, 10]
})

cp = ggplot(cdata, aes(x='value', y='category')) + \
    geom_bar(stat='identity', fill='#FB7') + \
    ggtitle("Y-Axis Label Justification Demo") + \
    xlab("Value") + ylab("Category")

• Left-aligning long labels creates a consistent starting edge, improving readability, while aligning with natural left-to-right reading patterns.

cp + theme(axis_text_y=element_text(angle=0, hjust=1))