mpld3
D3 Viewer for Matplotlib
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need quick interactivity on matplotlib plots and can tolerate aging maintenance. The package is stable, has no known vulnerabilities, and installs with low friction. However, verify compatibility with your Python and matplotlib versions first—classifiers suggest old version support, and the maintainer has limited availability for bug fixes. Best suited for exploratory work or prototyping rather than production systems requiring active support.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires matplotlib 2.2.2 and jinja2 2.7+; classifiers list Python 2.6–2.7 and 3.3–3.4, though requires_python is unspecified.
- Low install friction with pure-Python distribution.
- Maintenance is aging—the lead maintainer states limited availability, though pull requests are reviewed.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD 3-clause (permissive) — BSD 3-clause is permissive; you may use, modify, and distribute this package freely in commercial and private projects with minimal restrictions.
last release 2025-11-05 (282 days) · last repo commit 2026-01-02 · 2,413 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 580,157 downloads/mo, #5,914 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import mpld3
fig, ax = plt.subplots()
ax.plot([1, 2, 3], [1, 2, 3])
html = mpld3.fig_to_html(fig)
# Open html in browser or embed in IPython notebook- Whether the package actually works with modern Python versions (3.8+) despite classifiers listing only 2.6–3.4.
- Current compatibility with recent matplotlib versions beyond the stated 2.2.2 requirement.
- Whether IPython notebook integration remains functional with current Jupyter versions.
What it is and what it does
mpld3 bridges matplotlib and the web by converting static plots into interactive D3.js visualizations. It parses matplotlib figures using the mplexporter framework, outputs them as JSON, and renders them in a browser with pan, zoom, and hover interactivity. The package is pure Python and lightweight, making it straightforward to add to existing matplotlib workflows.
Typical use is embedding interactive plots in IPython notebooks or generating standalone HTML files for sharing. Many core matplotlib features are supported, though some advanced features like tick formatting, certain legend options, and twin axes remain unsupported. The package is in beta status and aging—the original author is no longer actively maintaining it, though the repository accepts pull requests.
Use it for
- Embed interactive matplotlib plots in IPython notebooks for exploratory data analysis.
- Export static matplotlib figures as standalone HTML files for sharing with non-technical stakeholders.
- Add pan, zoom, and hover tooltips to scientific plots without rewriting visualization code.
- Create web-based dashboards combining matplotlib plots with D3.js interactivity.
- Prototype interactive visualizations quickly from existing matplotlib code before building custom D3 solutions.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need quick interactivity on matplotlib plots and can tolerate aging maintenance.
The package is stable, has no known vulnerabilities, and installs with low friction. However, verify compatibility with your Python and matplotlib versions first—classifiers suggest old version support, and the maintainer has limited availability for bug fixes. Best suited for exploratory work or prototyping rather than production systems requiring active support.
Install
mpld3 on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with pure-Python distribution. Maintenance is aging—the lead maintainer states limited availability, though pull requests are reviewed. Last release was 282 days ago; repository remains active with 2413 stars.
Requires matplotlib 2.2.2 and jinja2 2.7+; classifiers list Python 2.6–2.7 and 3.3–3.4, though requires_python is unspecified.
License in practice
BSD 3-clause is permissive; you may use, modify, and distribute this package freely in commercial and private projects with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import mpld3
fig, ax = plt.subplots()
ax.plot([1, 2, 3], [1, 2, 3])
html = mpld3.fig_to_html(fig)
# Open html in browser or embed in IPython notebookVerify before relying
- Whether the package actually works with modern Python versions (3.8+) despite classifiers listing only 2.6–3.4.
- Current compatibility with recent matplotlib versions beyond the stated 2.2.2 requirement.
- Whether IPython notebook integration remains functional with current Jupyter versions.
Package facts
| License | BSD 3-clause permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 2 packagesjinja2matplotlib |
| Maintenance | Aging 282 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 580,157 / month, #5,914 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaEnvironment :: ConsoleIntended Audience :: Science/ResearchLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishProgramming Language :: Python :: 2.6Programming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4 |
Evidence: mpld3-0.5.12-py3-none-any.whl
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