cmocean
Colormaps for Oceanography
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you work with oceanographic data or need colormaps for scientific visualization. The package is lightweight, has no known vulnerabilities, and integrates cleanly with matplotlib. The dormant maintenance status is not a blocker—the colormaps themselves are stable research artifacts. However, verify the license terms before use, as the license is currently unclear in the metadata.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python >=3.8.
- Low install friction with three common dependencies (matplotlib, numpy, packaging).
- Dormant maintenance status—last release was 860 days ago, though the repository remains active with a recent commit on 2024-11-18.
License · maintenance · safety
(unclear) — License status is unclear; no SPDX identifier or raw license text is available in the metadata. Verify the actual license terms before use in proprietary or restricted contexts.
last release 2024-04-06 (860 days) · last repo commit 2024-11-18 · 267 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 152,864 downloads/mo, #10,891 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install cmocean
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import cmocean.cm as cm
plt.scatter([2, 3], [2, 3], c=[2, 3], cmap=cm.thermal)- Whether the package is actively maintained or in long-term stable state despite dormant status.
- Actual license terms, given the unclear license_treatment in metadata.
- Whether colormaps are suitable for color vision deficiency accessibility.
What it is and what it does
cmocean is a library of colormaps specifically designed for oceanographic visualization. It provides color schemes that work with matplotlib, allowing scientists and data analysts to create plots of ocean data. The package is grounded in research on color perception for oceanographic applications.
The package depends on matplotlib, numpy, and packaging, making it a lightweight addition to standard scientific Python workflows. It integrates directly into matplotlib's colormap system, so you can use cmocean colormaps anywhere you would use a standard matplotlib colormap. An optional plots submodule is available if you install with extras, which adds viscm and colorspacious for advanced color analysis.
Use it for
- Visualizing oceanographic measurements in plots alongside matplotlib.
- Creating consistent color schemes across multiple scientific figures.
- Generating heatmaps and contour plots of ocean data.
- Using colormaps in other tools via the cmocean ecosystem across MATLAB, R, Julia, and other platforms.
- Applying research-backed color selection for oceanographic applications.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you work with oceanographic data or need colormaps for scientific visualization.
The package is lightweight, has no known vulnerabilities, and integrates cleanly with matplotlib. The dormant maintenance status is not a blocker—the colormaps themselves are stable research artifacts. However, verify the license terms before use, as the license is currently unclear in the metadata.
Install
cmocean on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with three common dependencies (matplotlib, numpy, packaging). Dormant maintenance status—last release was 860 days ago, though the repository remains active with a recent commit on 2024-11-18.
Requires Python >=3.8.
License in practice
License status is unclear; no SPDX identifier or raw license text is available in the metadata. Verify the actual license terms before use in proprietary or restricted contexts.
Quickstart
pip install cmocean
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import cmocean.cm as cm
plt.scatter([2, 3], [2, 3], c=[2, 3], cmap=cm.thermal)Verify before relying
- Whether the package is actively maintained or in long-term stable state despite dormant status.
- Actual license terms, given the unclear license_treatment in metadata.
- Whether colormaps are suitable for color vision deficiency accessibility.
Package facts
| License | Not declared unclear |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.8 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 3 packagesmatplotlibnumpypackaging |
| Maintenance | Dormant 860 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 152,864 / month, #10,891 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 3 - Alpha |
Evidence: cmocean-4.0.3-py3-none-any.whl
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