ggplot2 Basics
Explore the grammar of graphics and create your first ggplot using aesthetic mappings.
ggplot2 Basics is a free R Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 3. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the R Academy learning path, one of 3 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
1
Introduction to ggplot2
ggplot2 is a powerful visualization package in R that follows the grammar of graphics approach.
2
Installing and Loading ggplot2
Before using ggplot2, install and load the package.
install.packages('ggplot2')
library(ggplot2)3
Creating a Basic Plot
Use ggplot() to create a simple scatter plot.
ggplot(mtcars, aes(x=mpg, y=hp)) + geom_point()4
Understanding Aesthetics
ggplot2 maps data to visual properties like color, shape, and size using aes().
ggplot(mtcars, aes(x=mpg, y=hp, color=cyl)) + geom_point()5
Adding Layers
Layers like geom_line() and geom_bar() add more visual elements.
ggplot(mtcars, aes(x=factor(cyl), fill=factor(cyl))) + geom_bar()6
Customizing Themes
Modify the appearance of a plot using theme().
ggplot(mtcars, aes(x=mpg, y=hp)) + geom_point() + theme_minimal()7
Faceting
Faceting allows you to create multiple plots based on categories.
ggplot(mtcars, aes(x=mpg, y=hp)) + geom_point() + facet_wrap(~cyl)8
9
Saving ggplot2 Plots
Use ggsave() to export plots.
ggsave('ggplot_example.png')10
Summary
In this lesson, you learned:
- How to create plots using ggplot2.
- How to customize aesthetics, themes, and facets.
- How to save plots for future use.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “ggplot2 Basics” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “ggplot2 Basics” is free to read here on the web, and the R Academy course includes 3 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the R Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “ggplot2 Basics”?
Explore the grammar of graphics and create your first ggplot using aesthetic mappings. You practise R Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start R Academy?
No prior experience is required. R Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 3, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “ggplot2 Basics” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this R Academy lesson?
Yes. Every R Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- ggplot2 Basics
- Layers and Geoms
- Theme Customization