Time Series Line Plot — Pygal

A time series line plot displays data points connected by lines over a datetime x-axis, with smart date formatting that automatically adjusts tick labels based on the time scale (days, months, years). This plot type is essential for temporal data analysis where proper date formatting and readability are critical. Unlike basic line plots, time series plots handle datetime parsing, timezone awareness, and intelligent tick label formatting.

Time Series Line Plot rendered with Pygal

Python source (Pygal)

""" anyplot.ai
line-timeseries: Time Series Line Plot
Library: pygal 3.1.0 | Python 3.13.13
Quality: 85/100 | Updated: 2026-05-09
"""

import os
import random
import sys
from datetime import datetime, timedelta


# Ensure site-packages is in path before current directory to avoid shadowing
site_packages = next((p for p in sys.path if "site-packages" in p), None)
if site_packages and sys.path[0] == os.path.dirname(__file__):
    sys.path.remove(sys.path[0])
    sys.path.insert(0, site_packages)

import pygal
from pygal.style import Style


# Theme tokens
THEME = os.getenv("ANYPLOT_THEME", "light")
PAGE_BG = "#FAF8F1" if THEME == "light" else "#1A1A17"
INK = "#1A1A17" if THEME == "light" else "#F0EFE8"
INK_MUTED = "#6B6A63" if THEME == "light" else "#A8A79F"

# Okabe-Ito palette
IMPRINT = ("#009E73", "#C475FD", "#4467A3", "#BD8233", "#AE3030", "#2ABCCD", "#954477")

# Seed for reproducibility
random.seed(42)

# Generate realistic daily stock price data for one year
start_date = datetime(2024, 1, 1)
dates = [start_date + timedelta(days=i) for i in range(365)]

# Simulate stock price with trend and volatility
price = 150.0
prices = []
for _ in range(365):
    change = random.gauss(0.1, 2.5)
    price = max(100, price + change)
    prices.append(round(price, 2))

# Custom style for 4800x2700 canvas
custom_style = Style(
    background=PAGE_BG,
    plot_background=PAGE_BG,
    foreground=INK,
    foreground_strong=INK,
    foreground_subtle=INK_MUTED,
    colors=IMPRINT,
    title_font_size=28,
    label_font_size=22,
    major_label_font_size=18,
    legend_font_size=16,
    value_font_size=14,
    stroke_width=6,
)

# Create line chart
chart = pygal.Line(
    width=4800,
    height=2700,
    style=custom_style,
    title="line-timeseries · pygal · anyplot.ai",
    x_title="Date",
    y_title="Stock Price (USD)",
    show_x_guides=True,
    show_y_guides=True,
    x_label_rotation=45,
    show_legend=True,
    legend_at_bottom=True,
    truncate_legend=-1,
    show_dots=False,
    margin=100,
)

# Add data series
chart.add("ACME Corp Stock", prices)

# Set x-axis labels - show first of each month only
x_labels = []
x_labels_major = []
for d in dates:
    if d.day == 1:
        x_labels.append(d.strftime("%b %Y"))
        x_labels_major.append(d.strftime("%b %Y"))
    else:
        x_labels.append("")

chart.x_labels = x_labels
chart.x_labels_major = x_labels_major

# Save as PNG and HTML
chart.render_to_file(f"plot-{THEME}.html")
chart.render_to_png(f"plot-{THEME}.png")

Part of Time Series Line Plot on anyplot.ai.

Time Series Line Plot — Pygal

Python source (Pygal)

Other implementations