How do I graph a 3D equation?

Choose Surface and enter an explicit expression for z using x and y, such as x^2 + y^2. Set the x and y domains and the number of samples per axis, then choose Plot expressions. Drag the plot to rotate, scroll to zoom or use the labelled camera buttons.

Can I plot a parametric 3D curve?

Yes. Choose Parametric curve and enter x(t), y(t) and z(t), plus a t interval. For example, cos(t), sin(t), t describes a helix. Trigonometric functions use radians. Curves support 2 to 2,000 samples and can appear alongside surfaces.

What happens at division by zero or outside a function's domain?

Undefined and nonfinite sampled points are omitted, along with triangles or segments that would use those points. Connections also check midpoints for undefined values. The plot reports omitted samples and connections. A finite grid can still miss a discontinuity between checks, so the picture does not establish exact topology.

Which expressions and functions are supported?

Use +, -, *, /, ^, parentheses, pi and e. Surface variables are x and y; curve variables use t. The syntax panel lists the supported trigonometric, logarithmic and other math functions. Use explicit multiplication such as 2*x. Properties, scripts, equations with equals signs and unlisted functions are rejected.

How do coordinate inspection and sampling differ?

The mesh uses samples selected by your resolution. Inspect point evaluates the selected equation directly at the coordinates you enter inside its domain. For z = x^2 + y^2, inspecting x = 1 and y = 1 returns z = 2, whether or not that exact point is a mesh vertex.

Can I save or share the graph?

Download PNG saves the current canvas view, including its axes. Export project JSON saves the expressions, domains, sample counts, colors and current camera. Import that file and choose Plot expressions to recreate the graph. Projects and images are prepared in your browser; no account is needed.

What are the plotting limits?

A project holds up to four plots. Each expression supports 500 characters, 400 tokens and 40 nesting levels. Surfaces use at most 151 samples per axis; curves use at most 2,000. Domain endpoints stay within ±1 million and plotted coordinates within ±1 billion. The tool stops work that exceeds its calculation budget or 15-second time limit.

3D Grapher

Turn explicit z = f(x, y) equations and parametric x(t), y(t), z(t) curves into an interactive 3D view. Set each domain and sampling resolution, compare up to four plots, inspect an equation at a point and export the current view or a reusable project.

Equations1 / 4 plots

Plot 1

TypeColorz(x, y)x minimumx maximumy minimumy maximumSamples per axis (2–151)

Use * for multiplication, ^ for powers and radians for angles. Each surface samples a square grid; curves sample the t interval.

Spatial viewLocal calculation

z = f(x, y)

A surface, a curve, or both. Plot an equation and explore it from any angle.

Import a project

Try an example

Supported math and plotting limits

Variables: x and y for surfaces; t for curves. Constants: pi and e. Operators: +, -, *, / and ^. Powers associate right to left, so 2^3^2 means 2^(3^2). Write multiplication explicitly, such as 2*x.

Functions: sin, cos, tan, asin, acos, atan, atan2, sqrt, abs, exp, ln, log, log10, sinh, cosh, tanh, floor, ceil, round, min and max. Log and ln are natural logarithms. Atan2, min and max take two arguments; the other listed functions take one. Angles use radians.

Up to four plots, 500 characters per expression, 400 tokens and 40 nesting levels. Surface grids use 2–151 samples per axis; curves use 2–2000 samples. Domain endpoints are limited to ±1 million and plotted coordinates to ±1 billion. Large calculations stop after 15 seconds or the arithmetic budget, with the input preserved.

Surface triangles and curve segments are omitted when their sampled endpoints or checked midpoints are undefined. Finite sampling cannot find every discontinuity. Inspect a point to calculate its coordinates directly from the expression. The grid lies at the lowest sampled z value; axis labels show the sampled bounds.

Accuracy. A sampled numerical view of explicit surfaces and parametric curves. Undefined or nonfinite samples remain gaps, and coordinates outside ±1 billion are omitted. Sampling cannot establish exact topology or engineering suitability.

Common questions

How do I graph a 3D equation?: Choose Surface and enter an explicit expression for z using x and y, such as x^2 + y^2. Set the x and y domains and the number of samples per axis, then choose Plot expressions. Drag the plot to rotate, scroll to zoom or use the labelled camera buttons.
Can I plot a parametric 3D curve?: Yes. Choose Parametric curve and enter x(t), y(t) and z(t), plus a t interval. For example, cos(t), sin(t), t describes a helix. Trigonometric functions use radians. Curves support 2 to 2,000 samples and can appear alongside surfaces.
What happens at division by zero or outside a function's domain?: Undefined and nonfinite sampled points are omitted, along with triangles or segments that would use those points. Connections also check midpoints for undefined values. The plot reports omitted samples and connections. A finite grid can still miss a discontinuity between checks, so the picture does not establish exact topology.
Which expressions and functions are supported?: Use +, -, *, /, ^, parentheses, pi and e. Surface variables are x and y; curve variables use t. The syntax panel lists the supported trigonometric, logarithmic and other math functions. Use explicit multiplication such as 2*x. Properties, scripts, equations with equals signs and unlisted functions are rejected.
How do coordinate inspection and sampling differ?: The mesh uses samples selected by your resolution. Inspect point evaluates the selected equation directly at the coordinates you enter inside its domain. For z = x^2 + y^2, inspecting x = 1 and y = 1 returns z = 2, whether or not that exact point is a mesh vertex.
Can I save or share the graph?: Download PNG saves the current canvas view, including its axes. Export project JSON saves the expressions, domains, sample counts, colors and current camera. Import that file and choose Plot expressions to recreate the graph. Projects and images are prepared in your browser; no account is needed.
What are the plotting limits?: A project holds up to four plots. Each expression supports 500 characters, 400 tokens and 40 nesting levels. Surfaces use at most 151 samples per axis; curves use at most 2,000. Domain endpoints stay within ±1 million and plotted coordinates within ±1 billion. The tool stops work that exceeds its calculation budget or 15-second time limit.

A sampled numerical view of explicit surfaces and parametric curves. Undefined or nonfinite samples remain gaps, and coordinates outside ±1 billion are omitted. Sampling cannot establish exact topology or engineering suitability.