Getting started with DesmosGraph in 5 minutes

Beginner tutorial · 5 minute read

Welcome! If this is your first time using DesmosGraph (or any online graphing calculator), this short tutorial will give you the fundamentals. By the end you'll know how to plot any function, add interactive sliders, share your graph as a link and export it as an image.

1. Typing your first function

Open the graphing calculator and you'll see an expression list on the left and a coordinate plane on the right. Click the empty input box and type:

y = sin(x)

That's it — the curve appears immediately. DesmosGraph is forgiving about notation:

You can omit y = for a quick plot. cos(x) works.
Use ^ for powers: x^2, x^(1/3).
Use * or just adjacency for multiplication: 2x, 3sin(x), (x+1)(x-1) are all fine.
Constants pi, e, tau, phi are recognised by name.
Use sqrt(x), cbrt(x), log(x) (base 10), ln(x), exp(x), abs(x) and many more functions.

2. Plotting multiple functions

Press Enter to add another expression line below the current one. Each new function is automatically given a different colour so they're easy to tell apart. Try:

y = sin(x)
y = cos(x)
y = tan(x)

You can also plot inverse functions, polar curves and implicit equations:

Inverse / sideways: x = sin(y)
Polar: r = 2 cos(2θ) (you can type theta for θ)
Implicit: x^2 + y^2 = 25 (a circle)
Inequality: y < sin(x) shades a region

3. Sliders & parameters

One of the most powerful features is parameter sliders. Type:

y = a*sin(b*x)
a = 1
b = 1

As soon as you type a = 1, DesmosGraph notices that a is a free variable and shows a slider for it. Drag it and watch your sine wave change amplitude in real time. The same thing happens for b: it controls the frequency.

Sliders are the secret to understanding a function. Instead of guessing what each parameter does, you can see it.

You can change a slider's range by editing the small min and max boxes next to it.

4. Animation

Click the small triangle play icon next to a slider. The parameter starts sweeping back and forth between its minimum and maximum, animating your graph live. This is perfect for:

Showing how a graph transforms as a parameter changes.
Demonstrating concepts like phase shift, amplitude or period.
Creating eye-catching visuals for class presentations.

5. Pan, zoom and reset

The plot area supports the gestures you'd expect:

Drag with the mouse or one finger to pan.
Scroll wheel or pinch with two fingers to zoom.
Use the +, − and home buttons in the top-right to zoom in, out and reset the view.

Hover over the plot to see the live coordinates in the bottom-left corner.

When your graph is ready, you have two options:

Share link: click Share and a URL containing your full graph state is copied to your clipboard. Paste it into chat, email or your homework.
PNG export: click PNG to download a high-resolution image. Useful for slides, reports and posters.

Your work is also auto-saved to your browser's local storage, so reopening the calculator brings back exactly what you left.

Where to go next

You now know enough to be productive. Pick the topic that interests you next: