`gca`

Returns the handle of the current axes, creating one if needed.

Category: Graphics > Graphics Objects

Syntax

ax = gca

Returns the current axes of the current figure.

Description

Most plotting commands act on the current axes. gca gives you a handle to it, so you can use dot notation (ax.XLim = [0 5]) or get and set. If there is no figure or axes yet, one is created.

Output arguments

ax: Axes object, used to read or set properties such as limits and labels.

Example

Read and change axes properties

plot(1:3)
ax = gca;
ax.XLim = [0 5];
disp(ax.XLim)
disp(get(ax, 'Type'))

Output

     0     5
axes

See also

gcf axes get set gco