? NumPy’s np.diff()
function calculates the difference between subsequent values in a NumPy array. For example, np.diff([1, 2, 4])
returns the difference array [1 2]
.
Here is a simple example to calculate the Fibonacci number differences:
import numpy as np # Fibonacci Sequence with first 8 numbers fibs = np.array([0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21]) diff_fibs = np.diff(fibs) print(diff_fibs) # [1 0 1 1 2 3 5 8]
This code snippet shows the most simple form of the np.diff()
method: how to use it on a one-dimensional NumPy array. It calculates the difference between two subsequent values of a NumPy array. Hence, an array with n
elements results in a diff array with n-1
elements.
Formal Syntax
numpy.diff(a, n=1, axis=-1, prepend=<no value>, append=<no value>)
Calculate the n-th discrete difference along the given axis.
- First difference:
out[i] = a[i+1] - a[i]
along the given axis. - Higher differences: use
np.diff()
recursively.
Argument | Data Type | Explanation |
---|---|---|
a | array-like | Array or list for which the differences should be calculated. |
n | int | Optional, per default n=1 . The order, i.e., number of repeated difference computations. If zero, returns a . |
axis | int | Optional, per default the last axis=-1 . The axis along which to calculate differences. |
prepend | array-like | Values to prepend to array a along axis before calculating the difference.Scalar value or array matching dimension and shape of a. |
append | ndarray | Values to append to array a along axis before calculating the difference.Scalar value or array matching dimension and shape of a. |
Executing the NumPy Diff Method Multiple Times

np.diff()
to calculate the i-th order differences.We can also run the NumPy diff
function multiple times by setting the second optional argument n
:
import numpy as np a = np.array([2, 4, 7, 4, 1, 8, 11, 12]) print(np.diff(a, n=1)) # [ 2 3 -3 -3 7 3 1] print(np.diff(a, n=2)) # [ 1 -6 0 10 -4 -2] print(np.diff(a, n=3)) # [ -7 6 10 -14 2] print(np.diff(a, n=4)) # [ 13 4 -24 16] print(np.diff(a, n=5)) # [ -9 -28 40] print(np.diff(a, n=6)) # [-19 68] print(np.diff(a, n=7)) # [87] print(np.diff(a, n=8)) # []
By defining the argument n
, you can execute the diff
function multiple times on the respective output of the last execution. Hence, the call np.diff(x, n=2)
results in the same output as np.diff(np.diff(x))
.
>>> np.diff([1, 2, 4], 2) array([1]) >>> np.diff(np.diff([1, 2, 4])) array([1])
NumPy Diff with Two Axes
But what happens if you have a two-dimensional NumPy array? In other words, how does the diff
function work with multiple axes?
Here is an example of how you can use the diff
function to calculate the differences along the columns (axis=1
):
import numpy as np a = np.array([[0, 1, 1], [2, 3, 5], [8, 13, 21]]) diffs = np.diff(a, axis=1) print(diffs) """ [[1 0] [1 2] [5 8]] """
You can see that each row with three columns is collapsed into a row with only two columns (the differences).
Let’s make it even more complex and combine the axis
with the n
argument for multiple diff
executions in a single function call:
import numpy as np a = np.array([[0, 1, 1], [2, 3, 5], [8, 13, 21]]) diffs = np.diff(a, n=2, axis=1) print(diffs) """ [[-1] [ 1] [ 3]] """
In this puzzle, we use the axis argument axis=1
which means that we calculate the differences along the columns. For example, the first column results in the diff array [0 1]
.
When defining the parameter n
, the diff
function is applied n
times to the output of the previous function execution. Thus, the first column undergoes the following transformations:
[0 1 1] diff--> [1 0] diff--> [-1]
Where to Go From Here?
Having a proficient Python education is critical for your success as a developer. You cannot hope to master data science if you do not even know the most basic Python and computer science concepts.
To this end, I have created a free Python email course (+ Bonus Cheat Sheet series). Subscribe if you need to refresh your basic Python knowledge! It’s fun!
If you’re already proficient in Python, study the NumPy library in-depth and kickstart your data science career with our LeanPub bestselling book “Coffee Break NumPy”!

While working as a researcher in distributed systems, Dr. Christian Mayer found his love for teaching computer science students.
To help students reach higher levels of Python success, he founded the programming education website Finxter.com that has taught exponential skills to millions of coders worldwide. He’s the author of the best-selling programming books Python One-Liners (NoStarch 2020), The Art of Clean Code (NoStarch 2022), and The Book of Dash (NoStarch 2022). Chris also coauthored the Coffee Break Python series of self-published books. He’s a computer science enthusiast, freelancer, and owner of one of the top 10 largest Python blogs worldwide.
His passions are writing, reading, and coding. But his greatest passion is to serve aspiring coders through Finxter and help them to boost their skills. You can join his free email academy here.
short and simple
Thanks!