matplotlib-dark is the automatic alternative to hand-picking backgrounds, grid colors, text contrast, and line palettes for every chart. Activate it in one line, then keep using the Matplotlib API you already know.

Installation

python -m pip install matplotlib-dark

Python 3.9+ and Matplotlib 3.5+ are supported.

Quick start

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import matplotlib_dark as mdk

mdk.dark_mode()  # That's it: every following chart uses dark mode.

plt.plot([1, 2, 3, 4], [1, 4, 2, 3])
plt.title("Ready for the dark")
plt.show()

No custom CSS, manual color selection, or complex design code is required.

Choose a theme

mdk.dark_mode("nord")

Six ready-to-use themes are included: default, nord, monokai, dracula, neon, and material.

print(mdk.get_available_themes())

Apply dark mode temporarily

Use the context manager when only some charts should be dark. Your previous Matplotlib configuration is restored automatically, even if plotting fails.

with mdk.dark_theme("dracula"):
    plt.plot([1, 2, 3], [3, 1, 4])
    plt.savefig("dark-chart.png")

For global mode, restore your original configuration explicitly:

mdk.dark_mode("material")
# Create charts...
mdk.light_mode()

Why matplotlib-dark?

• One-line automatic dark mode
• Six coordinated color palettes
• Works with the complete Matplotlib API
• Global mode or safe, temporary context manager
• Dark backgrounds are preserved when saving figures
• Zero dependencies beyond Matplotlib

Development

git clone https://github.com/edujbarrios/matplotlib-dark.git
cd matplotlib-dark
python -m pip install -e ".[dev]"
python -m pytest
python -m build
python -m twine check dist/*

License

MIT © Eduardo J. Barrios