({{, (RefLink[PlotPoints, paclet:ref/PlotPoints])
is an option for plotting functions that specifies how many initial sample points to use. }})

OpenersNotesSection(Spacer1)Details

With a single variable, (RefLink[PlotPoints, paclet:ref/PlotPoints])->n specifies the total number of initial sample points to use.

With more than one variable, (RefLink[PlotPoints, paclet:ref/PlotPoints])->n specifies that n initial points should be used in each direction.

(RefLink[PlotPoints, paclet:ref/PlotPoints])->{(Subscript[n, 1]),(Subscript[n, 2]),…} specifies different numbers of initial sample points for each successive direction.

The initial sample points are usually equally spaced.

Adaptive procedures controlled by (RefLink[MaxRecursion, paclet:ref/MaxRecursion]) are used to choose more sample points.

OpenersPrimaryExamplesSection(Spacer1)Examples  (4)

OpenersExampleSection0(Spacer1)Basic Examples  (4)

Use 10 points in each direction:

Plot3D[Sin[x y],{x,0,2},{y,0,2},PlotPoints->10,Mesh->All,MaxRecursion->0]

(RefLink[MaxRecursion, paclet:ref/MaxRecursion]) will cause additional sampling beyond the initial 10 points:

Plot3D[Sin[x y],{x,0,2},{y,0,2},PlotPoints->10,Mesh->All,MaxRecursion->1]

Use 50 points along the x direction:

Plot[Sinc[x],{x,0,10},Mesh->All,MaxRecursion->0,PlotPoints->50]

Use different numbers of points for different variables:

ParametricPlot[{(r+t) Cos[t],(r+t)Sin[t]},{t,0,10},{r,0,5},MaxRecursion->0,Mesh->All,PlotPoints->{50,3}]

({{DocumentationFooterIconsRelatedFunction.png, ({{See Also}, {(RefLink[MaxRecursion, paclet:ref/MaxRecursion])  ▪  (RefLink[MaxPlotPoints, paclet:ref/MaxPlotPoints])  ▪  (RefLink[Mesh, paclet:ref/Mesh])  ▪  (RefLink[ControlActive, paclet:ref/ControlActive])}})}})

({{DocumentationFooterIconsRelatedTutorial.png, ({{Tutorials}, {▪(RefLinkPlain[Options for Graphics, paclet:tutorial/Options])}, {▪(RefLinkPlain[Graphics and Sound, paclet:tutorial/GraphicsAndSoundOverview])}})}})

({{DocumentationFooterIconsRelatedGuide.png, ({{Related Guides}, {▪(RefLinkPlain[Plotting Options, paclet:guide/PlottingOptions])}})}})