matplotlib: alignment of legend title

Question

In matplotlib, how can I adjust the alignment of the legend title? It is always centered, but I need it to be left aligned with the legend box. I tried to change the al

Answer 1

I think you need to displace the Text object, using the set_position((x, y)) method. The units of x and y are pixels, so you'll have to experiment with what values look right, or use a Transform. I'm not sure off hand which combination of Transforms might be most useful.

So in short, something like this might work:

l.get_title().set_position((-10, 0)) # -10 is a guess

Answer 2

You may align the complete legend box setting leg._legend_box.align. This aligns everything inside the legend box, but the effect is the desired one to have the title on either side of the box instead of the center.

• Left aligned

  leg = plt.legend(title="Title")
  leg._legend_box.align = "left"
  

• Right aligned

  leg = plt.legend(title="Title")
  leg._legend_box.align = "right"