interp2

Interpolation for 2-D gridded data in meshgrid format

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Syntax

Vq = interp2(X,Y,V,Xq,Yq)

Vq = interp2(V,Xq,Yq)

Vq = interp2(V)

Vq = interp2(V,k)

Vq = interp2(___,method)

Vq = interp2(___,method,extrapval)

Description

Vq = interp2(X,Y,V,Xq,Yq) returns interpolated values of a function of two variables at specific query points using linear interpolation. The results always pass through the original sampling of the function. X and Y contain the coordinates of the sample points. V contains the corresponding function values at each sample point. Xq and Yq contain the coordinates of the query points.

example

Vq = interp2(V,Xq,Yq) assumes a default grid of sample points. The default grid points cover the rectangular region, X=1:n and Y=1:m, where [m,n] = size(V). Use this syntax when you want to conserve memory and are not concerned about the absolute distances between points.

Vq = interp2(V) returns the interpolated values on a refined grid formed by dividing the interval between sample values once in each dimension.

Vq = interp2(V,k) returns the interpolated values on a refined grid formed by repeatedly halving the intervals k times in each dimension. This results in 2^k-1 interpolated points between sample values.

example

Vq = interp2(___,method) specifies an alternative interpolation method: 'linear', 'nearest', 'cubic', 'makima', or 'spline'. The default method is 'linear'.

example

Vq = interp2(___,method,extrapval) also specifies extrapval, a scalar value that is assigned to all queries that lie outside the domain of the sample points.

If you omit the extrapval argument for queries outside the domain of the sample points, then based on the method argument interp2 returns one of the following:

Extrapolated values for the 'spline' and 'makima' methods
NaN values for other interpolation methods

example

Examples

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Interpolate over a Grid Using Default Method

Open Live Script

Coarsely sample the peaks function.

[X,Y] = meshgrid(-3:3);
V = peaks(X,Y);

Plot the coarse sampling.

figure
surf(X,Y,V)
title('Original Sampling');

Figure contains an axes object. The axes object with title Original Sampling contains an object of type surface.

Create the query grid with spacing of 0.25.

[Xq,Yq] = meshgrid(-3:0.25:3);

Interpolate at the query points.

Vq = interp2(X,Y,V,Xq,Yq);

Plot the result.

figure
surf(Xq,Yq,Vq);
title('Linear Interpolation Using Finer Grid');

Figure contains an axes object. The axes object with title Linear Interpolation Using Finer Grid contains an object of type surface.

Interpolate over a Grid Using Cubic Method

Open Live Script

Coarsely sample the peaks function.

[X,Y] = meshgrid(-3:3);
V = peaks(7);

Plot the coarse sampling.

figure
surf(X,Y,V)
title('Original Sampling');

Figure contains an axes object. The axes object with title Original Sampling contains an object of type surface.

Create the query grid with spacing of 0.25.

[Xq,Yq] = meshgrid(-3:0.25:3);

Interpolate at the query points, and specify cubic interpolation.

Vq = interp2(X,Y,V,Xq,Yq,'cubic');

Plot the result.

figure
surf(Xq,Yq,Vq);
title('Cubic Interpolation Over Finer Grid');

Figure contains an axes object. The axes object with title Cubic Interpolation Over Finer Grid contains an object of type surface.

Refine Grayscale Image

Open Live Script

Load some image data into the workspace.

load flujet.mat
colormap gray

Isolate a small region of the image and cast it to single-precision.

V = single(X(200:300,1:25));

Display the image region.

imagesc(V);
axis off
title('Original Image')

Figure contains an axes object. The hidden axes object with title Original Image contains an object of type image.

Insert interpolated values by repeatedly dividing the intervals between points of the refined grid five times in each dimension.

Vq = interp2(V,5);

Display the result.

imagesc(Vq);
axis off
title('Linear Interpolation')

Figure contains an axes object. The hidden axes object with title Linear Interpolation contains an object of type image.

Evaluate Outside the Domain of X and Y

Open Live Script

Coarsely sample a function over the range, [-2, 2] in both dimensions.

[X,Y] = meshgrid(-2:0.75:2);
R = sqrt(X.^2 + Y.^2)+ eps;
V = sin(R)./(R);

Plot the coarse sampling.

figure
surf(X,Y,V)
xlim([-4 4])
ylim([-4 4])
title('Original Sampling')

Figure contains an axes object. The axes object with title Original Sampling contains an object of type surface.

Create the query grid that extends beyond the domain of X and Y.

[Xq,Yq] = meshgrid(-3:0.2:3);

Perform cubic interpolation within the domain of X and Y, and assign all queries that fall outside to zero.

Vq = interp2(X,Y,V,Xq,Yq,'cubic',0);

Plot the result.

figure
surf(Xq,Yq,Vq)
title('Cubic Interpolation with Vq=0 Outside Domain of X and Y');

Figure contains an axes object. The axes object with title Cubic Interpolation with Vq=0 Outside Domain of X and Y contains an object of type surface.

Input Arguments

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`X,Y` — Sample grid points
matrices | vectors

Sample grid points, specified as real matrices or vectors. The sample grid points must be unique.

If X and Y are matrices, then they contain the coordinates of a full grid (in meshgrid format). Use the meshgrid function to create the X and Y matrices together. Both matrices must be the same size.
If X and Y are vectors, then they are treated as grid vectors. The values in both vectors must be strictly monotonic, either increasing or decreasing.

Example: [X,Y] = meshgrid(1:30,-10:10)

Data Types: single | double

`V` — Sample values
matrix

Sample values, specified as a real or complex matrix. The size requirements for V depend on the size of X and Y:

If X and Y are matrices representing a full grid (in meshgrid format), then V must be the same size as X and Y.
If X and Y are grid vectors, then V must be a matrix containing length(Y) rows and length(X) columns.

If V contains complex numbers, then interp2 interpolates the real and imaginary parts separately.

Example: rand(10,10)

Data Types: single | double
Complex Number Support: Yes

`Xq,Yq` — Query points
scalars | vectors | matrices | arrays

Query points, specified as a real scalars, vectors, matrices, or arrays.

If Xq and Yq are scalars, then they are the coordinates of a single query point.
If Xq and Yq are vectors of different orientations, then Xq and Yq are treated as grid vectors.
If Xq and Yq are vectors of the same size and orientation, then Xq and Yq are treated as scattered points in 2-D space.
If Xq and Yq are matrices, then they represent either a full grid of query points (in meshgrid format) or scattered points.
If Xq and Yq are N-D arrays, then they represent scattered points in 2-D space.

Example: [Xq,Yq] = meshgrid((1:0.1:10),(-5:0.1:0))

Data Types: single | double

`k` — Refinement factor
`1` (default) | real, nonnegative, integer scalar

Refinement factor, specified as a real, nonnegative, integer scalar. This value specifies the number of times to repeatedly divide the intervals of the refined grid in each dimension. This results in 2^k-1 interpolated points between sample values.

If k is 0, then Vq is the same as V.

interp2(V,1) is the same as interp2(V).

The following illustration shows the placement of interpolated values (in red) among nine sample values (in black) for k=2.

Nine sample points in a grid with three interpolated points between the sample points in each dimension

Example: interp2(V,2)

Data Types: single | double

`method` — Interpolation method
`'linear'` (default) | `'nearest'` | `'cubic'` | `'spline'` | `'makima'`

Interpolation method, specified as one of the options in this table.

Method	Description	Continuity	Comments
`'linear'`	The interpolated value at a query point is based on linear interpolation of the values at neighboring grid points in each respective dimension. This is the default interpolation method.	C⁰	Requires at least two grid points in each dimension Requires more memory than `'nearest'`
`'nearest'`	The interpolated value at a query point is the value at the nearest sample grid point.	Discontinuous	Requires two grid points in each dimension. Fastest computation with modest memory requirements
`'cubic'`	The interpolated value at a query point is based on a cubic interpolation of the values at neighboring grid points in each respective dimension. The interpolation is based on a cubic convolution.	C¹	Grid must have uniform spacing in each dimension, but the spacing does not have to be the same for all dimensions Requires at least four points in each dimension Requires more memory and computation time than `'linear'`
`'makima'`	Modified Akima cubic Hermite interpolation. The interpolated value at a query point is based on a piecewise function of polynomials with degree at most three evaluated using the values of neighboring grid points in each respective dimension. The Akima formula is modified to avoid overshoots.	C¹	Requires at least 2 points in each dimension Produces fewer undulations than `'spline'` Computation time is typically less than `'spline'`, but the memory requirements are similar
`'spline'`	The interpolated value at a query point is based on a cubic interpolation of the values at neighboring grid points in each respective dimension. The interpolation is based on a cubic spline using not-a-knot end conditions.	C²	Requires at least 4 points in each dimension, falling back to linear or quadratic interpolation if 2 or 3 points are supplied, respectively Requires more memory and computation time than `'cubic'`

`extrapval` — Function value outside domain of `X` and `Y`
scalar

Function value outside domain of X and Y, specified as a real or complex scalar. interp2 returns this constant value for all points outside the domain of X and Y.

Example: 5

Example: 5+1i

Data Types: single | double
Complex Number Support: Yes

Output Arguments

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`Vq` — Interpolated values
scalar | vector | matrix

Interpolated values, returned as a real or complex scalar, vector, or matrix. The size and shape of Vq depends on the syntax you use and, in some cases, the size and value of the input arguments.

Syntaxes	Special Conditions	Size of Vq	Example
`interp2(X,Y,V,Xq,Yq)` `interp2(V,Xq,Yq)` and variations of these syntaxes that include `method` or `extrapval`	`Xq`, `Yq` are scalars	Scalar	`size(Vq) = [1 1]` when you pass `Xq` and `Yq` as scalars.
Same as above	`Xq`, `Yq` are vectors of the same size and orientation	Vector of same size and orientation as `Xq` and `Yq`	If `size(Xq) = [100 1]` and `size(Yq) = [100 1]`, then `size(Vq) = [100 1]`.
Same as above	`Xq`, `Yq` are vectors of mixed orientation	Matrix in which the number of rows is `length(Yq)`, and the number of columns is `length(Xq)`	If `size(Xq) = [1 100]` and `size(Yq) = [50 1]`, then `size(Vq) = [50 100]`.
Same as above	`Xq`, `Yq` are matrices or arrays of the same size	Matrix or array of the same size as `Xq` and `Yq`	If `size(Xq) = [50 25]` and `size(Yq) = [50 25]`, then `size(Vq) = [50 25]`.
`interp2(V,k)` and variations of this syntax that include `method` or `extrapval`	None	Matrix in which the number of rows is: `2^k * (size(V,1)-1)+1`, and the number of columns is: `2^k * (size(V,2)-1)+1`	If `size(V) = [10 20]` and `k = 2`, then `size(Vq) = [37 77]`.

More About

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Strictly Monotonic

A set of values that are always increasing or decreasing, without reversals. For example, the sequence, a = [2 4 6 8] is strictly monotonic and increasing. The sequence, b = [2 4 4 6 8] is not strictly monotonic because there is no change in value between b(2) and b(3). The sequence, c = [2 4 6 8 6] contains a reversal between c(4) and c(5), so it is not monotonic at all.

Full Grid (in meshgrid Format)

For interp2, the full grid is a pair of matrices whose elements represent a grid of points over a rectangular region. One matrix contains the x-coordinates, and the other matrix contains the y-coordinates. The values in the x-matrix are strictly monotonic and increasing along the rows. The values along its columns are constant. The values in the y-matrix are strictly monotonic and increasing along the columns. The values along its rows are constant. Use the meshgrid function to create a full grid that you can pass to interp2.

For example, the following code creates a full grid for the region, –1 ≤ x ≤ 3 and 1 ≤ y ≤ 4:

[X,Y] = meshgrid(-1:3,(1:4))

X =

    -1     0     1     2     3
    -1     0     1     2     3
    -1     0     1     2     3
    -1     0     1     2     3

Y =

     1     1     1     1     1
     2     2     2     2     2
     3     3     3     3     3
     4     4     4     4     4

Grid vectors are a more compact format to represent a grid than the full grid. The relation between the two formats and the matrix of sample values V is

The relation between full-grid representation and grid-vector representation

Grid Vectors

For interp2, grid vectors consist of a pair of vectors that define the x- and y-coordinates in a grid. The row vector defines x-coordinates, and the column vector defines y-coordinates.

Grid vectors implicitly define a full grid

For example, the following code creates the grid vectors that specify the region, –1 ≤ x ≤ 3 and 1 ≤ y ≤ 4:

x = -1:3;
y = (1:4)';

Scattered Points

For interp2, scattered points consist of a pair of arrays that define a collection of points scattered in 2-D space. One array contains the x-coordinates, and the other contains the y-coordinates.

For example, the following code specifies the points, (2,7), (5,3), (4,1), and (10,9):

x = [2 5; 4 10];
y = [7 3; 1 9];

Extended Capabilities

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C/C++ Code Generation
Generate C and C++ code using MATLAB® Coder™.

Usage notes and limitations:

Xq and Yq must be the same size. Use meshgrid to evaluate on a grid.
For best results, provide X and Y as vectors. The values in these vectors must be strictly monotonic and increasing.
Code generation does not support the 'makima' interpolation method.
For the 'cubic' interpolation method, if the grid does not have uniform spacing, an error results. In this case, use the 'spline' interpolation method.
For best results when you use the 'spline' interpolation method:
- Use meshgrid to create the inputs Xq and Yq.
- Use a small number of interpolation points relative to the dimensions of V. Interpolating over a large set of scattered points can be inefficient.

GPU Code Generation
Generate CUDA® code for NVIDIA® GPUs using GPU Coder™.

Usage notes and limitations:

Xq and Yq must be the same size. Use meshgrid to evaluate on a grid.
For best results, provide X and Y as vectors. The values in these vectors must be strictly monotonic and increasing.
Code generation does not support the 'makima' interpolation method.
For the 'cubic' interpolation method, if the grid does not have uniform spacing, an error results. In this case, use the 'spline' interpolation method.
For best results when you use the 'spline' interpolation method:
- Use meshgrid to create the inputs Xq and Yq.
- Use a small number of interpolation points relative to the dimensions of V. Interpolating over a large set of scattered points can be inefficient.

Thread-Based Environment
Run code in the background using MATLAB® `backgroundPool` or accelerate code with Parallel Computing Toolbox™ `ThreadPool`.

This function fully supports thread-based environments. For more information, see Run MATLAB Functions in Thread-Based Environment.

GPU Arrays
Accelerate code by running on a graphics processing unit (GPU) using Parallel Computing Toolbox™.

The interp2 function supports GPU array input with these usage notes and limitations:

V must be a double or single 2-D array. V can be real or complex. V cannot be a vector.
X and Y must:
- Have the same type (double or single).
- Be finite vectors or 2-D arrays with increasing and nonrepeating elements in corresponding dimensions.
- Align with Cartesian axes when X and Y are nonvector 2-D arrays (as if they were produced by meshgrid).
- Have dimensions consistent with V.
Xq and Yq must be vectors or arrays of the same type (double or single). If Xq and Yq are arrays, then they must have the same size. If they are vectors with different lengths, then they must have different orientations.
method must be 'linear', 'nearest', or 'cubic'.
The extrapolation for the out-of-boundary input is not supported.

For more information, see Run MATLAB Functions on a GPU (Parallel Computing Toolbox).

Distributed Arrays
Partition large arrays across the combined memory of your cluster using Parallel Computing Toolbox™.

This function fully supports distributed arrays. For more information, see Run MATLAB Functions with Distributed Arrays (Parallel Computing Toolbox).

Version History

Introduced before R2006a

interp2

Syntax

Description

Examples

Interpolate over a Grid Using Default Method

Interpolate over a Grid Using Cubic Method

Refine Grayscale Image

Evaluate Outside the Domain of X and Y

Input Arguments

X,Y — Sample grid points matrices | vectors

V — Sample values matrix

Xq,Yq — Query points scalars | vectors | matrices | arrays

k — Refinement factor 1 (default) | real, nonnegative, integer scalar

method — Interpolation method 'linear' (default) | 'nearest' | 'cubic' | 'spline' | 'makima'

extrapval — Function value outside domain of X and Y scalar

Output Arguments

Vq — Interpolated values scalar | vector | matrix

More About

Strictly Monotonic

Full Grid (in meshgrid Format)

Grid Vectors

Scattered Points

Extended Capabilities

C/C++ Code Generation Generate C and C++ code using MATLAB® Coder™.

GPU Code Generation Generate CUDA® code for NVIDIA® GPUs using GPU Coder™.

Thread-Based Environment Run code in the background using MATLAB® backgroundPool or accelerate code with Parallel Computing Toolbox™ ThreadPool.

GPU Arrays Accelerate code by running on a graphics processing unit (GPU) using Parallel Computing Toolbox™.

Distributed Arrays Partition large arrays across the combined memory of your cluster using Parallel Computing Toolbox™.

Version History

See Also

`X,Y` — Sample grid points
matrices | vectors

`V` — Sample values
matrix

`Xq,Yq` — Query points
scalars | vectors | matrices | arrays

`k` — Refinement factor
`1` (default) | real, nonnegative, integer scalar

`method` — Interpolation method
`'linear'` (default) | `'nearest'` | `'cubic'` | `'spline'` | `'makima'`

`extrapval` — Function value outside domain of `X` and `Y`
scalar

`Vq` — Interpolated values
scalar | vector | matrix

C/C++ Code Generation
Generate C and C++ code using MATLAB® Coder™.

GPU Code Generation
Generate CUDA® code for NVIDIA® GPUs using GPU Coder™.

Thread-Based Environment
Run code in the background using MATLAB® `backgroundPool` or accelerate code with Parallel Computing Toolbox™ `ThreadPool`.

GPU Arrays
Accelerate code by running on a graphics processing unit (GPU) using Parallel Computing Toolbox™.

Distributed Arrays
Partition large arrays across the combined memory of your cluster using Parallel Computing Toolbox™.