diff --git a/doc/api/prev_api_changes/api_changes_3.1.0.rst b/doc/api/prev_api_changes/api_changes_3.1.0.rst
index 90d4fc3548bd..51aaa26f3836 100644
--- a/doc/api/prev_api_changes/api_changes_3.1.0.rst
+++ b/doc/api/prev_api_changes/api_changes_3.1.0.rst
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ back on the linear `.AutoLocator` to pick reasonable tick positions.
 `.Figure.add_subplot` with no arguments
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Calling `.Figure.add_subplot()` with no positional arguments used to do
-nothing; this now is equivalent to calling ``add_subplot(111)`` instead.
+nothing; this now is equivalent to calling ``add_subplot(1, 1, 1)`` instead.
 
 `~.Axes.bxp` and rcparams
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
diff --git a/doc/api/prev_api_changes/api_changes_3.2.0/behavior.rst b/doc/api/prev_api_changes/api_changes_3.2.0/behavior.rst
index 52103b625a09..de780b0bf746 100644
--- a/doc/api/prev_api_changes/api_changes_3.2.0/behavior.rst
+++ b/doc/api/prev_api_changes/api_changes_3.2.0/behavior.rst
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ mplot3d auto-registration
 `mpl_toolkits.mplot3d` is always registered by default now. It is no
 longer necessary to import mplot3d to create 3d axes with ::
 
-  ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection="3d")
+  ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection="3d")
 
 `.SymLogNorm` now has a *base* parameter
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
diff --git a/doc/devel/documenting_mpl.rst b/doc/devel/documenting_mpl.rst
index dcc3a2411c04..a7e7e9733bf1 100644
--- a/doc/devel/documenting_mpl.rst
+++ b/doc/devel/documenting_mpl.rst
@@ -820,7 +820,7 @@ example is generated from
     s = 1 + np.sin(2 * np.pi * t)
 
     # Note that using plt.subplots below is equivalent to using
-    # fig = plt.figure and then ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    # fig = plt.figure and then ax = fig.add_subplot()
     fig, ax = plt.subplots()
     ax.plot(t, s)
 
diff --git a/doc/faq/howto_faq.rst b/doc/faq/howto_faq.rst
index 52dbe45b52ab..3c261352a67a 100644
--- a/doc/faq/howto_faq.rst
+++ b/doc/faq/howto_faq.rst
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ any property on them directly (*facecolor*, *edgecolor*, *linewidth*,
 
     fig = plt.figure()
     fig.patch.set_alpha(0.5)
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.patch.set_alpha(0.5)
 
 If you need *all* the figure elements to be transparent, there is
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ labels::
 
     fig = plt.figure()
     fig.subplots_adjust(bottom=0.2)
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
 
 You can control the defaults for these parameters in your
 :file:`matplotlibrc` file; see :doc:`/tutorials/introductory/customizing`.  For
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ The Axes property :meth:`~matplotlib.axes.Axes.set_aspect` controls the
 aspect ratio of the axes.  You can set it to be 'auto', 'equal', or
 some ratio which controls the ratio::
 
-  ax = fig.add_subplot(111, aspect='equal')
+  ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, aspect='equal')
 
 .. only:: html
 
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ locators as desired because the two axes are independent.
     import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax1 = fig.add_subplot()
     t = np.arange(0.01, 10.0, 0.01)
     s1 = np.exp(t)
     ax1.plot(t, s1, 'b-')
diff --git a/doc/users/event_handling.rst b/doc/users/event_handling.rst
index dac78d463d2f..d74a350adb48 100644
--- a/doc/users/event_handling.rst
+++ b/doc/users/event_handling.rst
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ is created every time a mouse is pressed::
             self.line.figure.canvas.draw()
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.set_title('click to build line segments')
     line, = ax.plot([0], [0])  # empty line
     linebuilder = LineBuilder(line)
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ Here is the solution::
             self.rect.figure.canvas.mpl_disconnect(self.cidmotion)
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     rects = ax.bar(range(10), 20*np.random.rand(10))
     drs = []
     for rect in rects:
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ Extra credit solution::
             self.rect.figure.canvas.mpl_disconnect(self.cidmotion)
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     rects = ax.bar(range(10), 20*np.random.rand(10))
     drs = []
     for rect in rects:
@@ -383,8 +383,8 @@ background that the mouse is over::
 
     fig1 = plt.figure()
     fig1.suptitle('mouse hover over figure or axes to trigger events')
-    ax1 = fig1.add_subplot(211)
-    ax2 = fig1.add_subplot(212)
+    ax1 = fig1.add_subplot(2, 1, 1)
+    ax2 = fig1.add_subplot(2, 1, 2)
 
     fig1.canvas.mpl_connect('figure_enter_event', enter_figure)
     fig1.canvas.mpl_connect('figure_leave_event', leave_figure)
@@ -393,8 +393,8 @@ background that the mouse is over::
 
     fig2 = plt.figure()
     fig2.suptitle('mouse hover over figure or axes to trigger events')
-    ax1 = fig2.add_subplot(211)
-    ax2 = fig2.add_subplot(212)
+    ax1 = fig2.add_subplot(2, 1, 1)
+    ax2 = fig2.add_subplot(2, 1, 2)
 
     fig2.canvas.mpl_connect('figure_enter_event', enter_figure)
     fig2.canvas.mpl_connect('figure_leave_event', leave_figure)
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ properties of the line.  Here is the code::
     import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.set_title('click on points')
 
     line, = ax.plot(np.random.rand(100), 'o', picker=5)  # 5 points tolerance
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ Exercise solution::
     ys = np.std(X, axis=1)
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.set_title('click on point to plot time series')
     line, = ax.plot(xs, ys, 'o', picker=5)  # 5 points tolerance
 
diff --git a/doc/users/history.rst b/doc/users/history.rst
index 5294382b951e..75b71f0bc75b 100644
--- a/doc/users/history.rst
+++ b/doc/users/history.rst
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ Matplotlib's original logo (2003 -- 2008).
    # 0.0005 is the sample interval
    t = 0.0005 * np.arange(len(x))
    plt.figure(1, figsize=(7, 1), dpi=100)
-   ax = plt.subplot(111, facecolor='y')
+   ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1, facecolor='y')
    plt.plot(t, x)
    plt.text(0.5, 0.5, 'matplotlib', color='r',
             fontsize=40, fontname=['Courier', 'DejaVu Sans Mono'],
diff --git a/doc/users/navigation_toolbar.rst b/doc/users/navigation_toolbar.rst
index 86849ab38354..e1270cfd50a2 100644
--- a/doc/users/navigation_toolbar.rst
+++ b/doc/users/navigation_toolbar.rst
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ example code for GTK+ 3::
     win.add(vbox)
 
     fig = Figure(figsize=(5,4), dpi=100)
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot([1,2,3])
 
     canvas = FigureCanvas(fig)  # a Gtk.DrawingArea
diff --git a/doc/users/prev_whats_new/changelog.rst b/doc/users/prev_whats_new/changelog.rst
index 08f034a60bde..6dca91a1c807 100644
--- a/doc/users/prev_whats_new/changelog.rst
+++ b/doc/users/prev_whats_new/changelog.rst
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ the `API changes <../../api/api_changes.html>`_.
            Uses a default range(n) when the first arg not provided.
            Damon McDougall
 
-2012-11-09 Make plt.subplot() without arguments act as subplot(111) - PI
+2012-11-09 Make plt.subplot() without arguments act as subplot(1, 1, 1) - PI
 
 2012-11-08 Replaced plt.figure and plt.subplot calls by the newer, more
            convenient single call to plt.subplots() in the documentation
@@ -2289,8 +2289,8 @@ the `API changes <../../api/api_changes.html>`_.
                   fig1 = figure()
                   fig2 = figure()
 
-                   ax1 = fig1.add_subplot(111)
-                   ax2 = fig2.add_subplot(111, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
+                   ax1 = fig1.add_subplot()
+                   ax2 = fig2.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
 
            - linestyles now include steps-pre, steps-post and
              steps-mid.  The old step still works and is equivalent to
diff --git a/examples/animation/double_pendulum_sgskip.py b/examples/animation/double_pendulum_sgskip.py
index 1dac5e171a0a..72dc9c79b668 100644
--- a/examples/animation/double_pendulum_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/animation/double_pendulum_sgskip.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def derivs(state, t):
 y2 = -L2*cos(y[:, 2]) + y1
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, autoscale_on=False, xlim=(-2, 2), ylim=(-2, 2))
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, autoscale_on=False, xlim=(-2, 2), ylim=(-2, 2))
 ax.set_aspect('equal')
 ax.grid()
 
diff --git a/examples/animation/unchained.py b/examples/animation/unchained.py
index fbcce8337ee9..5fb80d588d70 100644
--- a/examples/animation/unchained.py
+++ b/examples/animation/unchained.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 fig = plt.figure(figsize=(8, 8), facecolor='black')
 
 # Add a subplot with no frame
-ax = plt.subplot(111, frameon=False)
+ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1, frameon=False)
 
 # Generate random data
 data = np.random.uniform(0, 1, (64, 75))
diff --git a/examples/axes_grid1/demo_axes_grid.py b/examples/axes_grid1/demo_axes_grid.py
index d97780827704..ffce84755873 100644
--- a/examples/axes_grid1/demo_axes_grid.py
+++ b/examples/axes_grid1/demo_axes_grid.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def demo_simple_grid(fig):
     A grid of 2x2 images with 0.05 inch pad between images and only
     the lower-left axes is labeled.
     """
-    grid = ImageGrid(fig, 141,  # similar to subplot(141)
+    grid = ImageGrid(fig, 141,  # similar to subplot(1, 4, 1)
                      nrows_ncols=(2, 2),
                      axes_pad=0.05,
                      label_mode="1",
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ def demo_grid_with_single_cbar(fig):
     """
     A grid of 2x2 images with a single colorbar
     """
-    grid = ImageGrid(fig, 142,  # similar to subplot(142)
+    grid = ImageGrid(fig, 142,  # similar to subplot(1, 4, 2)
                      nrows_ncols=(2, 2),
                      axes_pad=0.0,
                      share_all=True,
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def demo_grid_with_each_cbar(fig):
     """
     A grid of 2x2 images. Each image has its own colorbar.
     """
-    grid = ImageGrid(fig, 143,  # similar to subplot(143)
+    grid = ImageGrid(fig, 143,  # similar to subplot(1, 4, 3)
                      nrows_ncols=(2, 2),
                      axes_pad=0.1,
                      label_mode="1",
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ def demo_grid_with_each_cbar_labelled(fig):
     """
     A grid of 2x2 images. Each image has its own colorbar.
     """
-    grid = ImageGrid(fig, 144,  # similar to subplot(144)
+    grid = ImageGrid(fig, 144,  # similar to subplot(1, 4, 4)
                      nrows_ncols=(2, 2),
                      axes_pad=(0.45, 0.15),
                      label_mode="1",
diff --git a/examples/axes_grid1/demo_axes_grid2.py b/examples/axes_grid1/demo_axes_grid2.py
index e6f1f0b2f7f5..97a878663fae 100644
--- a/examples/axes_grid1/demo_axes_grid2.py
+++ b/examples/axes_grid1/demo_axes_grid2.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ def add_inner_title(ax, title, loc, **kwargs):
 extent = extent[0], extent[1]/3., extent[2], extent[3]
 
 # *** Demo 1: colorbar at each axes ***
-grid = ImageGrid(fig, 211,  # similar to subplot(211)
+grid = ImageGrid(fig, 211,  # similar to subplot(2, 1, 1)
                  nrows_ncols=(1, 3),
                  axes_pad=0.05,
                  label_mode="1",
diff --git a/examples/axes_grid1/demo_edge_colorbar.py b/examples/axes_grid1/demo_edge_colorbar.py
index 629d9e8e05fe..cbfbd71d659d 100644
--- a/examples/axes_grid1/demo_edge_colorbar.py
+++ b/examples/axes_grid1/demo_edge_colorbar.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def demo_bottom_cbar(fig):
     """
     A grid of 2x2 images with a colorbar for each column.
     """
-    grid = AxesGrid(fig, 121,  # similar to subplot(121)
+    grid = AxesGrid(fig, 121,  # similar to subplot(1, 2, 1)
                     nrows_ncols=(2, 2),
                     axes_pad=0.10,
                     share_all=True,
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ def demo_right_cbar(fig):
     """
     A grid of 2x2 images. Each row has its own colorbar.
     """
-    grid = AxesGrid(fig, 122,  # similar to subplot(122)
+    grid = AxesGrid(fig, 122,  # similar to subplot(1, 2, 2)
                     nrows_ncols=(2, 2),
                     axes_pad=0.10,
                     label_mode="1",
diff --git a/examples/axes_grid1/inset_locator_demo.py b/examples/axes_grid1/inset_locator_demo.py
index 5fd0bc926794..dadcb0cb0b0c 100644
--- a/examples/axes_grid1/inset_locator_demo.py
+++ b/examples/axes_grid1/inset_locator_demo.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
 #
 
 fig = plt.figure(figsize=[5.5, 2.8])
-ax = fig.add_subplot(121)
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 1)
 
 # We use the axes transform as bbox_transform. Therefore the bounding box
 # needs to be specified in axes coordinates ((0, 0) is the lower left corner
@@ -80,10 +80,10 @@
 # Note how the two following insets are created at the same positions, one by
 # use of the default parent axes' bbox and the other via a bbox in axes
 # coordinates and the respective transform.
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(222)
+ax2 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 2)
 axins2 = inset_axes(ax2, width="30%", height="50%")
 
-ax3 = fig.add_subplot(224)
+ax3 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 4)
 axins3 = inset_axes(ax3, width="100%", height="100%",
                     bbox_to_anchor=(.7, .5, .3, .5),
                     bbox_transform=ax3.transAxes)
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@
 #
 
 fig = plt.figure(figsize=[5.5, 2.8])
-ax = fig.add_subplot(131)
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 3, 1)
 
 # Create an inset outside the axes
 axins = inset_axes(ax, width="100%", height="100%",
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@
                     bbox_transform=ax.transAxes, loc=3, borderpad=0)
 
 
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(133)
+ax2 = fig.add_subplot(1, 3, 3)
 ax2.set_xscale("log")
 ax2.set(xlim=(1e-6, 1e6), ylim=(-2, 6))
 
diff --git a/examples/axes_grid1/parasite_simple.py b/examples/axes_grid1/parasite_simple.py
index c76f70ee9d74..430544311e5e 100644
--- a/examples/axes_grid1/parasite_simple.py
+++ b/examples/axes_grid1/parasite_simple.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 from mpl_toolkits.axes_grid1 import host_subplot
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
-host = host_subplot(111)
+host = host_subplot(1, 1, 1)
 
 par = host.twinx()
 
diff --git a/examples/axes_grid1/simple_axesgrid.py b/examples/axes_grid1/simple_axesgrid.py
index fdd94cd32244..0fe3f50b2094 100644
--- a/examples/axes_grid1/simple_axesgrid.py
+++ b/examples/axes_grid1/simple_axesgrid.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 im4 = np.fliplr(im2)
 
 fig = plt.figure(figsize=(4., 4.))
-grid = ImageGrid(fig, 111,  # similar to subplot(111)
+grid = ImageGrid(fig, 111,  # similar to subplot(1, 1, 1)
                  nrows_ncols=(2, 2),  # creates 2x2 grid of axes
                  axes_pad=0.1,  # pad between axes in inch.
                  )
diff --git a/examples/axes_grid1/simple_axesgrid2.py b/examples/axes_grid1/simple_axesgrid2.py
index 1ff3433141d6..4e2394a625ae 100644
--- a/examples/axes_grid1/simple_axesgrid2.py
+++ b/examples/axes_grid1/simple_axesgrid2.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ def get_demo_image():
 
 
 fig = plt.figure(figsize=(5.5, 3.5))
-grid = ImageGrid(fig, 111,  # similar to subplot(111)
+grid = ImageGrid(fig, 111,  # similar to subplot(1, 1, 1)
                  nrows_ncols=(1, 3),
                  axes_pad=0.1,
                  label_mode="L",
diff --git a/examples/axes_grid1/simple_axisline4.py b/examples/axes_grid1/simple_axisline4.py
index 91b76cf3e956..a0e7fc361dc5 100644
--- a/examples/axes_grid1/simple_axisline4.py
+++ b/examples/axes_grid1/simple_axisline4.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 from mpl_toolkits.axes_grid1 import host_subplot
 import numpy as np
 
-ax = host_subplot(111)
+ax = host_subplot(1, 1, 1)
 xx = np.arange(0, 2*np.pi, 0.01)
 ax.plot(xx, np.sin(xx))
 
diff --git a/examples/axes_grid1/simple_colorbar.py b/examples/axes_grid1/simple_colorbar.py
index 2c561644840f..d3021f515ca2 100644
--- a/examples/axes_grid1/simple_colorbar.py
+++ b/examples/axes_grid1/simple_colorbar.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 from mpl_toolkits.axes_grid1 import make_axes_locatable
 import numpy as np
 
-ax = plt.subplot(111)
+ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1)
 im = ax.imshow(np.arange(100).reshape((10, 10)))
 
 # create an axes on the right side of ax. The width of cax will be 5%
diff --git a/examples/axisartist/demo_parasite_axes2.py b/examples/axisartist/demo_parasite_axes2.py
index 3c23e37b7ae7..0e7032e444b8 100644
--- a/examples/axisartist/demo_parasite_axes2.py
+++ b/examples/axisartist/demo_parasite_axes2.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 from mpl_toolkits import axisartist
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
-host = host_subplot(111, axes_class=axisartist.Axes)
+host = host_subplot(1, 1, 1, axes_class=axisartist.Axes)
 plt.subplots_adjust(right=0.75)
 
 par1 = host.twinx()
diff --git a/examples/event_handling/trifinder_event_demo.py b/examples/event_handling/trifinder_event_demo.py
index 9c4a05058fb3..3290cf09de62 100644
--- a/examples/event_handling/trifinder_event_demo.py
+++ b/examples/event_handling/trifinder_event_demo.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def on_mouse_move(event):
 trifinder = triang.get_trifinder()
 
 # Setup plot and callbacks.
-plt.subplot(111, aspect='equal')
+plt.subplot(1, 1, 1, aspect='equal')
 plt.triplot(triang, 'bo-')
 polygon = Polygon([[0, 0], [0, 0]], facecolor='y')  # dummy data for (xs, ys)
 update_polygon(-1)
diff --git a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/eventcollection_demo.py b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/eventcollection_demo.py
index abdb6e6c05f5..daa937ccf41a 100644
--- a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/eventcollection_demo.py
+++ b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/eventcollection_demo.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 
 # plot the data
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+ax = fig.add_subplot()
 ax.plot(xdata1, ydata1, color='tab:blue')
 ax.plot(xdata2, ydata2, color='tab:orange')
 
diff --git a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/psd_demo.py b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/psd_demo.py
index 9c3cb78c0c2d..5b381f807254 100644
--- a/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/psd_demo.py
+++ b/examples/lines_bars_and_markers/psd_demo.py
@@ -26,9 +26,9 @@
 cnse = cnse[:len(t)]
 s = 0.1 * np.sin(2 * np.pi * t) + cnse
 
-plt.subplot(211)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
 plt.plot(t, s)
-plt.subplot(212)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 2)
 plt.psd(s, 512, 1 / dt)
 
 plt.show()
@@ -44,9 +44,9 @@
 #     cnse = cnse(1:length(t));
 #     s = 0.1*sin(2*pi*t) + cnse;
 #
-#     subplot(211)
+#     subplot(2, 1, 1)
 #     plot(t, s)
-#     subplot(212)
+#     subplot(2, 1, 2)
 #     psd(s, 512, 1/dt)
 #
 # Below we'll show a slightly more complex example that demonstrates
diff --git a/examples/misc/agg_buffer_to_array.py b/examples/misc/agg_buffer_to_array.py
index 93c80f13b907..22dc2f0e543a 100644
--- a/examples/misc/agg_buffer_to_array.py
+++ b/examples/misc/agg_buffer_to_array.py
@@ -25,6 +25,6 @@
 
 # now display the array X as an Axes in a new figure
 fig2 = plt.figure()
-ax2 = fig2.add_subplot(111, frameon=False)
+ax2 = fig2.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, frameon=False)
 ax2.imshow(X)
 plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/misc/custom_projection.py b/examples/misc/custom_projection.py
index 3994d0ffbd4a..a7421cead5bc 100644
--- a/examples/misc/custom_projection.py
+++ b/examples/misc/custom_projection.py
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ class HammerAxes(GeoAxes):
 
     # The projection must specify a name. This will be used by the
     # user to select the projection,
-    # i.e. ``subplot(111, projection='custom_hammer')``.
+    # i.e. ``subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='custom_hammer')``.
     name = 'custom_hammer'
 
     class HammerTransform(Transform):
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ def _get_core_transform(self, resolution):
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
     # Now make a simple example using the custom projection.
-    plt.subplot(111, projection="custom_hammer")
+    plt.subplot(1, 1, 1, projection="custom_hammer")
     p = plt.plot([-1, 1, 1], [-1, -1, 1], "o-")
     plt.grid(True)
 
diff --git a/examples/misc/customize_rc.py b/examples/misc/customize_rc.py
index 51873d631932..62b07705b70e 100644
--- a/examples/misc/customize_rc.py
+++ b/examples/misc/customize_rc.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def set_pub():
 Then as you are working interactively, you just need to do::
 
     >>> set_pub()
-    >>> subplot(111)
+    >>> subplot(1, 1, 1)
     >>> plot([1, 2, 3])
     >>> savefig('myfig')
     >>> rcdefaults()  # restore the defaults
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def set_pub():
 
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
-plt.subplot(311)
+plt.subplot(3, 1, 1)
 plt.plot([1, 2, 3])
 
 # the axes attributes need to be set before the call to subplot
@@ -40,13 +40,13 @@ def set_pub():
 # using aliases for color, linestyle and linewidth; gray, solid, thick
 plt.rc('grid', c='0.5', ls='-', lw=5)
 plt.rc('lines', lw=2, color='g')
-plt.subplot(312)
+plt.subplot(3, 1, 2)
 
 plt.plot([1, 2, 3])
 plt.grid(True)
 
 plt.rcdefaults()
-plt.subplot(313)
+plt.subplot(3, 1, 3)
 plt.plot([1, 2, 3])
 plt.grid(True)
 plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/misc/patheffect_demo.py b/examples/misc/patheffect_demo.py
index 618877b1a48e..1b54ce7f0404 100644
--- a/examples/misc/patheffect_demo.py
+++ b/examples/misc/patheffect_demo.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 import numpy as np
 
 plt.figure(figsize=(8, 3))
-ax1 = plt.subplot(131)
+ax1 = plt.subplot(1, 3, 1)
 ax1.imshow([[1, 2], [2, 3]])
 txt = ax1.annotate("test", (1., 1.), (0., 0),
                    arrowprops=dict(arrowstyle="->",
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
                              foreground="w")]
 ax1.grid(True, linestyle="-", path_effects=pe)
 
-ax2 = plt.subplot(132)
+ax2 = plt.subplot(1, 3, 2)
 arr = np.arange(25).reshape((5, 5))
 ax2.imshow(arr)
 cntr = ax2.contour(arr, colors="k")
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
     patheffects.withStroke(linewidth=3, foreground="w")])
 
 # shadow as a path effect
-ax3 = plt.subplot(133)
+ax3 = plt.subplot(1, 3, 3)
 p1, = ax3.plot([0, 1], [0, 1])
 leg = ax3.legend([p1], ["Line 1"], fancybox=True, loc='upper left')
 leg.legendPatch.set_path_effects([patheffects.withSimplePatchShadow()])
diff --git a/examples/mplot3d/3d_bars.py b/examples/mplot3d/3d_bars.py
index ba6cc228ae48..9361fe607d06 100644
--- a/examples/mplot3d/3d_bars.py
+++ b/examples/mplot3d/3d_bars.py
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 
 # setup the figure and axes
 fig = plt.figure(figsize=(8, 3))
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(121, projection='3d')
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(122, projection='3d')
+ax1 = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 1, projection='3d')
+ax2 = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 2, projection='3d')
 
 # fake data
 _x = np.arange(4)
diff --git a/examples/mplot3d/bars3d.py b/examples/mplot3d/bars3d.py
index 7ce1740db49c..83e4374a658b 100644
--- a/examples/mplot3d/bars3d.py
+++ b/examples/mplot3d/bars3d.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
 
 colors = ['r', 'g', 'b', 'y']
 yticks = [3, 2, 1, 0]
diff --git a/examples/mplot3d/hist3d.py b/examples/mplot3d/hist3d.py
index 0ec003d61fdd..4ae58f8f7af2 100644
--- a/examples/mplot3d/hist3d.py
+++ b/examples/mplot3d/hist3d.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
 x, y = np.random.rand(2, 100) * 4
 hist, xedges, yedges = np.histogram2d(x, y, bins=4, range=[[0, 4], [0, 4]])
 
diff --git a/examples/mplot3d/pathpatch3d.py b/examples/mplot3d/pathpatch3d.py
index d632d3969b03..677fb8225ed8 100644
--- a/examples/mplot3d/pathpatch3d.py
+++ b/examples/mplot3d/pathpatch3d.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def text3d(ax, xyz, s, zdir="z", size=None, angle=0, usetex=False, **kwargs):
 
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
 
 # Draw a circle on the x=0 'wall'
 p = Circle((5, 5), 3)
diff --git a/examples/mplot3d/rotate_axes3d_sgskip.py b/examples/mplot3d/rotate_axes3d_sgskip.py
index add73fba99b9..9b9f23d44bd1 100644
--- a/examples/mplot3d/rotate_axes3d_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/mplot3d/rotate_axes3d_sgskip.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
 
 # load some test data for demonstration and plot a wireframe
 X, Y, Z = axes3d.get_test_data(0.1)
diff --git a/examples/mplot3d/scatter3d.py b/examples/mplot3d/scatter3d.py
index e977dfe43adb..5197ed961f63 100644
--- a/examples/mplot3d/scatter3d.py
+++ b/examples/mplot3d/scatter3d.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def randrange(n, vmin, vmax):
     return (vmax - vmin)*np.random.rand(n) + vmin
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
 
 n = 100
 
diff --git a/examples/mplot3d/surface3d_2.py b/examples/mplot3d/surface3d_2.py
index 8254ab4b8cfc..d7c186d0a3e3 100644
--- a/examples/mplot3d/surface3d_2.py
+++ b/examples/mplot3d/surface3d_2.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
 
 # Make data
 u = np.linspace(0, 2 * np.pi, 100)
diff --git a/examples/mplot3d/surface3d_radial.py b/examples/mplot3d/surface3d_radial.py
index 617bcba3557b..f97577f966fb 100644
--- a/examples/mplot3d/surface3d_radial.py
+++ b/examples/mplot3d/surface3d_radial.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
 
 # Create the mesh in polar coordinates and compute corresponding Z.
 r = np.linspace(0, 1.25, 50)
diff --git a/examples/mplot3d/wire3d.py b/examples/mplot3d/wire3d.py
index d8e33327663e..abc4607b4792 100644
--- a/examples/mplot3d/wire3d.py
+++ b/examples/mplot3d/wire3d.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
 
 # Grab some test data.
 X, Y, Z = axes3d.get_test_data(0.05)
diff --git a/examples/mplot3d/wire3d_animation_sgskip.py b/examples/mplot3d/wire3d_animation_sgskip.py
index 9e63c8d2b7b3..d016ec303fae 100644
--- a/examples/mplot3d/wire3d_animation_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/mplot3d/wire3d_animation_sgskip.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ def generate(X, Y, phi):
 
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
 
 # Make the X, Y meshgrid.
 xs = np.linspace(-1, 1, 50)
diff --git a/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/bar_of_pie.py b/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/bar_of_pie.py
index bf5c438c176a..ac37f67cd74e 100644
--- a/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/bar_of_pie.py
+++ b/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/bar_of_pie.py
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 
 # make figure and assign axis objects
 fig = plt.figure(figsize=(9, 5))
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(121)
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(122)
+ax1 = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 1)
+ax2 = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 2)
 fig.subplots_adjust(wspace=0)
 
 # pie chart parameters
diff --git a/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_bar.py b/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_bar.py
index 2d9a8dee3252..0dd191e06258 100644
--- a/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_bar.py
+++ b/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_bar.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 width = np.pi / 4 * np.random.rand(N)
 colors = plt.cm.viridis(radii / 10.)
 
-ax = plt.subplot(111, projection='polar')
+ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='polar')
 ax.bar(theta, radii, width=width, bottom=0.0, color=colors, alpha=0.5)
 
 plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_demo.py b/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_demo.py
index 1ba897a9fa48..c7a0e267becc 100644
--- a/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_demo.py
+++ b/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_demo.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 r = np.arange(0, 2, 0.01)
 theta = 2 * np.pi * r
 
-ax = plt.subplot(111, projection='polar')
+ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='polar')
 ax.plot(theta, r)
 ax.set_rmax(2)
 ax.set_rticks([0.5, 1, 1.5, 2])  # Less radial ticks
diff --git a/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_scatter.py b/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_scatter.py
index 350369ed3557..7e890fbee530 100644
--- a/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_scatter.py
+++ b/examples/pie_and_polar_charts/polar_scatter.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 colors = theta
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='polar')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='polar')
 c = ax.scatter(theta, r, c=colors, s=area, cmap='hsv', alpha=0.75)
 
 ###############################################################################
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 # rotate the plot.
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, polar=True)
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, polar=True)
 c = ax.scatter(theta, r, c=colors, s=area, cmap='hsv', alpha=0.75)
 
 ax.set_rorigin(-2.5)
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 # theta start and end limits, producing a sector instead of a full circle.
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, polar=True)
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, polar=True)
 c = ax.scatter(theta, r, c=colors, s=area, cmap='hsv', alpha=0.75)
 
 ax.set_thetamin(45)
diff --git a/examples/pyplots/annotation_polar.py b/examples/pyplots/annotation_polar.py
index 534bb54a7760..fb085105d428 100644
--- a/examples/pyplots/annotation_polar.py
+++ b/examples/pyplots/annotation_polar.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, polar=True)
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, polar=True)
 r = np.arange(0, 1, 0.001)
 theta = 2 * 2*np.pi * r
 line, = ax.plot(theta, r, color='#ee8d18', lw=3)
diff --git a/examples/pyplots/fig_axes_labels_simple.py b/examples/pyplots/fig_axes_labels_simple.py
index b7d3bd25b74c..6f4f2a3f586e 100644
--- a/examples/pyplots/fig_axes_labels_simple.py
+++ b/examples/pyplots/fig_axes_labels_simple.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
 fig = plt.figure()
 fig.subplots_adjust(top=0.8)
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(211)
+ax1 = fig.add_subplot(2, 1, 1)
 ax1.set_ylabel('volts')
 ax1.set_title('a sine wave')
 
diff --git a/examples/pyplots/pyplot_two_subplots.py b/examples/pyplots/pyplot_two_subplots.py
index 9a2f1ada246c..4d7b1dfc9e49 100644
--- a/examples/pyplots/pyplot_two_subplots.py
+++ b/examples/pyplots/pyplot_two_subplots.py
@@ -17,11 +17,11 @@ def f(t):
 t2 = np.arange(0.0, 5.0, 0.02)
 
 plt.figure()
-plt.subplot(211)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
 plt.plot(t1, f(t1), color='tab:blue', marker='o')
 plt.plot(t2, f(t2), color='black')
 
-plt.subplot(212)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 2)
 plt.plot(t2, np.cos(2*np.pi*t2), color='tab:orange', linestyle='--')
 plt.show()
 
diff --git a/examples/pyplots/text_commands.py b/examples/pyplots/text_commands.py
index 931f549f417e..e144baea1988 100644
--- a/examples/pyplots/text_commands.py
+++ b/examples/pyplots/text_commands.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 fig = plt.figure()
 fig.suptitle('bold figure suptitle', fontsize=14, fontweight='bold')
 
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+ax = fig.add_subplot()
 fig.subplots_adjust(top=0.85)
 ax.set_title('axes title')
 
diff --git a/examples/pyplots/whats_new_98_4_legend.py b/examples/pyplots/whats_new_98_4_legend.py
index 6995fe281ac7..9dc26c557ad4 100644
--- a/examples/pyplots/whats_new_98_4_legend.py
+++ b/examples/pyplots/whats_new_98_4_legend.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 import numpy as np
 
 
-ax = plt.subplot(111)
+ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1)
 t1 = np.arange(0.0, 1.0, 0.01)
 for n in [1, 2, 3, 4]:
     plt.plot(t1, t1**n, label=f"n={n}")
diff --git a/examples/recipes/create_subplots.py b/examples/recipes/create_subplots.py
index 3c641a8f9d56..f7d3389c03e1 100644
--- a/examples/recipes/create_subplots.py
+++ b/examples/recipes/create_subplots.py
@@ -19,10 +19,10 @@
 
 # old style
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(221)
-ax2 = fig.add_subplot(222, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
-ax3 = fig.add_subplot(223, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
-ax3 = fig.add_subplot(224, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
+ax1 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 1)
+ax2 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 2, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
+ax3 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 3, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
+ax3 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 4, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
 
 ###############################################################################
 # Fernando Perez has provided the nice top-level function
diff --git a/examples/recipes/share_axis_lims_views.py b/examples/recipes/share_axis_lims_views.py
index 852ee744a939..0802808307ae 100644
--- a/examples/recipes/share_axis_lims_views.py
+++ b/examples/recipes/share_axis_lims_views.py
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@
 
 t = np.arange(0, 10, 0.01)
 
-ax1 = plt.subplot(211)
+ax1 = plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
 ax1.plot(t, np.sin(2*np.pi*t))
 
-ax2 = plt.subplot(212, sharex=ax1)
+ax2 = plt.subplot(2, 1, 2, sharex=ax1)
 ax2.plot(t, np.sin(4*np.pi*t))
 
 plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/scales/symlog_demo.py b/examples/scales/symlog_demo.py
index 69266be29065..15c4adedc3e8 100644
--- a/examples/scales/symlog_demo.py
+++ b/examples/scales/symlog_demo.py
@@ -12,19 +12,19 @@
 x = np.arange(-50.0, 50.0, dt)
 y = np.arange(0, 100.0, dt)
 
-plt.subplot(311)
+plt.subplot(3, 1, 1)
 plt.plot(x, y)
 plt.xscale('symlog')
 plt.ylabel('symlogx')
 plt.grid(True)
 plt.gca().xaxis.grid(True, which='minor')  # minor grid on too
 
-plt.subplot(312)
+plt.subplot(3, 1, 2)
 plt.plot(y, x)
 plt.yscale('symlog')
 plt.ylabel('symlogy')
 
-plt.subplot(313)
+plt.subplot(3, 1, 3)
 plt.plot(x, np.sin(x / 3.0))
 plt.xscale('symlog')
 plt.yscale('symlog', linthresh=0.015)
diff --git a/examples/specialty_plots/skewt.py b/examples/specialty_plots/skewt.py
index f77afcc49f10..907f8a24c5c9 100644
--- a/examples/specialty_plots/skewt.py
+++ b/examples/specialty_plots/skewt.py
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ def _adjust_location(self):
 # spines and axes instances as appropriate.
 class SkewXAxes(Axes):
     # The projection must specify a name.  This will be used be the
-    # user to select the projection, i.e. ``subplot(111,
+    # user to select the projection, i.e. ``subplot(1, 1, 1,
     # projection='skewx')``.
     name = 'skewx'
 
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ def upper_xlim(self):
 
     # Create a new figure. The dimensions here give a good aspect ratio
     fig = plt.figure(figsize=(6.5875, 6.2125))
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='skewx')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='skewx')
 
     plt.grid(True)
 
diff --git a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/axes_margins.py b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/axes_margins.py
index 41347f715d4d..2f76a16b76b7 100644
--- a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/axes_margins.py
+++ b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/axes_margins.py
@@ -21,16 +21,16 @@ def f(t):
 
 t1 = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
 
-ax1 = plt.subplot(212)
+ax1 = plt.subplot(2, 1, 2)
 ax1.margins(0.05)           # Default margin is 0.05, value 0 means fit
 ax1.plot(t1, f(t1))
 
-ax2 = plt.subplot(221)
+ax2 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 1)
 ax2.margins(2, 2)           # Values >0.0 zoom out
 ax2.plot(t1, f(t1))
 ax2.set_title('Zoomed out')
 
-ax3 = plt.subplot(222)
+ax3 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 2)
 ax3.margins(x=0, y=-0.25)   # Values in (-0.5, 0.0) zooms in to center
 ax3.plot(t1, f(t1))
 ax3.set_title('Zoomed in')
diff --git a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/axes_zoom_effect.py b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/axes_zoom_effect.py
index 3f156eba35a4..7f7b651c8e52 100644
--- a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/axes_zoom_effect.py
+++ b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/axes_zoom_effect.py
@@ -112,14 +112,14 @@ def zoom_effect02(ax1, ax2, **kwargs):
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
 plt.figure(figsize=(5, 5))
-ax1 = plt.subplot(221)
-ax2 = plt.subplot(212)
+ax1 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 1)
+ax2 = plt.subplot(2, 1, 2)
 ax2.set_xlim(0, 1)
 ax2.set_xlim(0, 5)
 zoom_effect01(ax1, ax2, 0.2, 0.8)
 
 
-ax1 = plt.subplot(222)
+ax1 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 2)
 ax1.set_xlim(2, 3)
 ax2.set_xlim(0, 5)
 zoom_effect02(ax1, ax2)
diff --git a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/demo_tight_layout.py b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/demo_tight_layout.py
index 75eb8a44aa40..220f733f5e11 100644
--- a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/demo_tight_layout.py
+++ b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/demo_tight_layout.py
@@ -67,9 +67,9 @@ def example_plot(ax):
 
 fig = plt.figure()
 
-ax1 = plt.subplot(221)
-ax2 = plt.subplot(223)
-ax3 = plt.subplot(122)
+ax1 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 1)
+ax2 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 3)
+ax3 = plt.subplot(1, 2, 2)
 
 example_plot(ax1)
 example_plot(ax2)
diff --git a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/geo_demo.py b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/geo_demo.py
index afedcf760e19..143f2b25343d 100644
--- a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/geo_demo.py
+++ b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/geo_demo.py
@@ -14,28 +14,28 @@
 ###############################################################################
 
 plt.figure()
-plt.subplot(111, projection="aitoff")
+plt.subplot(1, 1, 1, projection="aitoff")
 plt.title("Aitoff")
 plt.grid(True)
 
 ###############################################################################
 
 plt.figure()
-plt.subplot(111, projection="hammer")
+plt.subplot(1, 1, 1, projection="hammer")
 plt.title("Hammer")
 plt.grid(True)
 
 ###############################################################################
 
 plt.figure()
-plt.subplot(111, projection="lambert")
+plt.subplot(1, 1, 1, projection="lambert")
 plt.title("Lambert")
 plt.grid(True)
 
 ###############################################################################
 
 plt.figure()
-plt.subplot(111, projection="mollweide")
+plt.subplot(1, 1, 1, projection="mollweide")
 plt.title("Mollweide")
 plt.grid(True)
 
diff --git a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/multiple_figs_demo.py b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/multiple_figs_demo.py
index 55ba32347b47..b3d160ee926e 100644
--- a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/multiple_figs_demo.py
+++ b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/multiple_figs_demo.py
@@ -16,9 +16,9 @@
 # Create figure 1
 
 plt.figure(1)
-plt.subplot(211)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
 plt.plot(t, s1)
-plt.subplot(212)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 2)
 plt.plot(t, 2*s1)
 
 ###############################################################################
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 # Now switch back to figure 1 and make some changes
 
 plt.figure(1)
-plt.subplot(211)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
 plt.plot(t, s2, 's')
 ax = plt.gca()
 ax.set_xticklabels([])
diff --git a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/shared_axis_demo.py b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/shared_axis_demo.py
index 3cd3fcd68446..809914f59c39 100644
--- a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/shared_axis_demo.py
+++ b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/shared_axis_demo.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 axes, e.g., in the example below.
 
 If you want to turn off the ticklabels for a given axes (e.g., on
-subplot(211) or subplot(212), you cannot do the standard trick::
+subplot(2, 1, 1) or subplot(2, 1, 2), you cannot do the standard trick::
 
    setp(ax2, xticklabels=[])
 
@@ -40,18 +40,18 @@
 s2 = np.exp(-t)
 s3 = np.sin(4 * np.pi * t)
 
-ax1 = plt.subplot(311)
+ax1 = plt.subplot(3, 1, 1)
 plt.plot(t, s1)
 plt.setp(ax1.get_xticklabels(), fontsize=6)
 
 # share x only
-ax2 = plt.subplot(312, sharex=ax1)
+ax2 = plt.subplot(3, 1, 2, sharex=ax1)
 plt.plot(t, s2)
 # make these tick labels invisible
 plt.setp(ax2.get_xticklabels(), visible=False)
 
 # share x and y
-ax3 = plt.subplot(313, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
+ax3 = plt.subplot(3, 1, 3, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
 plt.plot(t, s3)
 plt.xlim(0.01, 5.0)
 plt.show()
diff --git a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/subplots_adjust.py b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/subplots_adjust.py
index fecc41f6f5ff..eca5566587e2 100644
--- a/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/subplots_adjust.py
+++ b/examples/subplots_axes_and_figures/subplots_adjust.py
@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@
 # Fixing random state for reproducibility
 np.random.seed(19680801)
 
-plt.subplot(211)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
 plt.imshow(np.random.random((100, 100)), cmap=plt.cm.BuPu_r)
-plt.subplot(212)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 2)
 plt.imshow(np.random.random((100, 100)), cmap=plt.cm.BuPu_r)
 
 plt.subplots_adjust(bottom=0.1, right=0.8, top=0.9)
diff --git a/examples/text_labels_and_annotations/demo_text_path.py b/examples/text_labels_and_annotations/demo_text_path.py
index 461268427cfc..6c3238f324c0 100644
--- a/examples/text_labels_and_annotations/demo_text_path.py
+++ b/examples/text_labels_and_annotations/demo_text_path.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def draw(self, renderer=None):
 
     # EXAMPLE 1
 
-    ax = plt.subplot(211)
+    ax = plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
 
     arr = plt.imread(get_sample_data("grace_hopper.png"))
 
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ def draw(self, renderer=None):
 
     # EXAMPLE 2
 
-    ax = plt.subplot(212)
+    ax = plt.subplot(2, 1, 2)
 
     arr = np.arange(256).reshape(1, 256) / 256
 
diff --git a/examples/text_labels_and_annotations/multiline.py b/examples/text_labels_and_annotations/multiline.py
index ce2cb158af85..dfdc6ce9d1ef 100644
--- a/examples/text_labels_and_annotations/multiline.py
+++ b/examples/text_labels_and_annotations/multiline.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 import numpy as np
 
 plt.figure(figsize=(7, 4))
-ax = plt.subplot(121)
+ax = plt.subplot(1, 2, 1)
 ax.set_aspect(1)
 plt.plot(np.arange(10))
 plt.xlabel('this is a xlabel\n(with newlines!)')
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 plt.grid(True)
 
-plt.subplot(122)
+plt.subplot(1, 2, 2)
 
 plt.text(0.29, 0.4, "Mat\nTTp\n123", size=18,
          va="baseline", ha="right", multialignment="left",
diff --git a/examples/units/ellipse_with_units.py b/examples/units/ellipse_with_units.py
index 2a2242cde30c..c84fd5338a52 100644
--- a/examples/units/ellipse_with_units.py
+++ b/examples/units/ellipse_with_units.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 ###############################################################################
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(211, aspect='auto')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 1, 1, aspect='auto')
 ax.fill(x, y, alpha=0.2, facecolor='yellow',
         edgecolor='yellow', linewidth=1, zorder=1)
 
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
 
 ax.add_patch(e1)
 
-ax = fig.add_subplot(212, aspect='equal')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 1, 2, aspect='equal')
 ax.fill(x, y, alpha=0.2, facecolor='green', edgecolor='green', zorder=1)
 e2 = patches.Ellipse((xcenter, ycenter), width, height,
                      angle=angle, linewidth=2, fill=False, zorder=2)
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
 ###############################################################################
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(211, aspect='auto')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 1, 1, aspect='auto')
 ax.fill(x, y, alpha=0.2, facecolor='yellow',
         edgecolor='yellow', linewidth=1, zorder=1)
 
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
 
 ax.add_patch(e1)
 
-ax = fig.add_subplot(212, aspect='equal')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 1, 2, aspect='equal')
 ax.fill(x, y, alpha=0.2, facecolor='green', edgecolor='green', zorder=1)
 e2 = patches.Arc((xcenter, ycenter), width, height,
                  angle=angle, linewidth=2, fill=False, zorder=2)
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/canvasagg.py b/examples/user_interfaces/canvasagg.py
index 9d4f8185d74f..38785b94f65d 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/canvasagg.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/canvasagg.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 canvas = FigureCanvasAgg(fig)
 
 # Do some plotting.
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+ax = fig.add_subplot()
 ax.plot([1, 2, 3])
 
 # Option 1: Save the figure to a file; can also be a file-like object (BytesIO,
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_panzoom_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_panzoom_sgskip.py
index 2f0833f09511..1caedf48f779 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_panzoom_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_panzoom_sgskip.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 win.set_title("Embedding in GTK")
 
 fig = Figure(figsize=(5, 4), dpi=100)
-ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+ax = fig.add_subplot()
 t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
 s = np.sin(2*np.pi*t)
 ax.plot(t, s)
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_sgskip.py
index 510f475a76d5..f5872304964d 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_gtk3_sgskip.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 win.set_title("Embedding in GTK")
 
 fig = Figure(figsize=(5, 4), dpi=100)
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+ax = fig.add_subplot()
 t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
 s = np.sin(2*np.pi*t)
 ax.plot(t, s)
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_tk_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_tk_sgskip.py
index 6a6cc1605f01..e7342f3dcbf3 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_tk_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_tk_sgskip.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 fig = Figure(figsize=(5, 4), dpi=100)
 t = np.arange(0, 3, .01)
-fig.add_subplot(111).plot(t, 2 * np.sin(2 * np.pi * t))
+fig.add_subplot().plot(t, 2 * np.sin(2 * np.pi * t))
 
 canvas = FigureCanvasTkAgg(fig, master=root)  # A tk.DrawingArea.
 canvas.draw()
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx2_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx2_sgskip.py
index d5d1d285cbb2..ae5ff8823e14 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx2_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx2_sgskip.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def __init__(self):
                           'CanvasFrame', size=(550, 350))
 
         self.figure = Figure()
-        self.axes = self.figure.add_subplot(111)
+        self.axes = self.figure.add_subplot()
         t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
         s = np.sin(2 * np.pi * t)
 
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx3_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx3_sgskip.py
index 4f2a016822b2..a203bac333cf 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx3_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx3_sgskip.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ def __init__(self, parent):
         self.Fit()
 
     def init_plot_data(self):
-        ax = self.fig.add_subplot(111)
+        ax = self.fig.add_subplot()
 
         x = np.arange(120.0) * 2 * np.pi / 60.0
         y = np.arange(100.0) * 2 * np.pi / 50.0
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx4_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx4_sgskip.py
index f79113280d72..af36c0a16abe 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx4_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_in_wx4_sgskip.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def __init__(self):
                           'CanvasFrame', size=(550, 350))
 
         self.figure = Figure(figsize=(5, 4), dpi=100)
-        self.axes = self.figure.add_subplot(111)
+        self.axes = self.figure.add_subplot()
         t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
         s = np.sin(2 * np.pi * t)
 
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_webagg_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_webagg_sgskip.py
index 33cafb860d80..b083037ac549 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_webagg_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/embedding_webagg_sgskip.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def create_figure():
     Creates a simple example figure.
     """
     fig = Figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
     s = np.sin(2 * np.pi * t)
     ax.plot(t, s)
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/gtk_spreadsheet_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/gtk_spreadsheet_sgskip.py
index bbeb2b2c7e99..1f0f6e702240 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/gtk_spreadsheet_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/gtk_spreadsheet_sgskip.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def __init__(self):
 
         self.canvas = FigureCanvas(fig)  # a Gtk.DrawingArea
         vbox.pack_start(self.canvas, True, True, 0)
-        ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+        ax = fig.add_subplot()
         self.line, = ax.plot(self.data[0, :], 'go')  # plot the first row
 
         self.treeview.connect('row-activated', self.plot_row)
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/mathtext_wx_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/mathtext_wx_sgskip.py
index f1f06040cf72..669cd962e4d5 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/mathtext_wx_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/mathtext_wx_sgskip.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def __init__(self, parent, title):
         wx.Frame.__init__(self, parent, -1, title, size=(550, 350))
 
         self.figure = Figure()
-        self.axes = self.figure.add_subplot(111)
+        self.axes = self.figure.add_subplot()
 
         self.canvas = FigureCanvas(self, -1, self.figure)
 
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/mpl_with_glade3_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/mpl_with_glade3_sgskip.py
index d437e82df46b..2464c5e04c41 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/mpl_with_glade3_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/mpl_with_glade3_sgskip.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ def main():
 
     # Start of Matplotlib specific code
     figure = Figure(figsize=(8, 6), dpi=71)
-    axis = figure.add_subplot(111)
+    axis = figure.add_subplot()
     t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
     s = np.sin(2*np.pi*t)
     axis.plot(t, s)
diff --git a/examples/user_interfaces/wxcursor_demo_sgskip.py b/examples/user_interfaces/wxcursor_demo_sgskip.py
index 7ffd73647923..203d18d0beae 100644
--- a/examples/user_interfaces/wxcursor_demo_sgskip.py
+++ b/examples/user_interfaces/wxcursor_demo_sgskip.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ def __init__(self, ):
         wx.Frame.__init__(self, None, -1, 'CanvasFrame', size=(550, 350))
 
         self.figure = Figure()
-        self.axes = self.figure.add_subplot(111)
+        self.axes = self.figure.add_subplot()
         t = np.arange(0.0, 3.0, 0.01)
         s = np.sin(2*np.pi*t)
 
diff --git a/examples/userdemo/simple_legend01.py b/examples/userdemo/simple_legend01.py
index 9e178af9be5b..1a64b19945c6 100644
--- a/examples/userdemo/simple_legend01.py
+++ b/examples/userdemo/simple_legend01.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
 
-plt.subplot(211)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
 plt.plot([1, 2, 3], label="test1")
 plt.plot([3, 2, 1], label="test2")
 # Place a legend above this subplot, expanding itself to
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 plt.legend(bbox_to_anchor=(0., 1.02, 1., .102), loc='lower left',
            ncol=2, mode="expand", borderaxespad=0.)
 
-plt.subplot(223)
+plt.subplot(2, 2, 3)
 plt.plot([1, 2, 3], label="test1")
 plt.plot([3, 2, 1], label="test2")
 # Place a legend to the right of this smaller subplot.
diff --git a/examples/widgets/cursor.py b/examples/widgets/cursor.py
index 6fa20ca21177..fa053d7a840b 100644
--- a/examples/widgets/cursor.py
+++ b/examples/widgets/cursor.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 np.random.seed(19680801)
 
 fig = plt.figure(figsize=(8, 6))
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111, facecolor='#FFFFCC')
+ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, facecolor='#FFFFCC')
 
 x, y = 4*(np.random.rand(2, 100) - .5)
 ax.plot(x, y, 'o')
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/figure.py b/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
index f7889aa5344e..30b6de9bcd4b 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/figure.py
@@ -1264,23 +1264,24 @@ def add_subplot(self, *args, **kwargs):
 
         Parameters
         ----------
-        *args, int or (int, int, int) or `SubplotSpec`, default: (1, 1, 1)
+        *args, (int, int, int) or `SubplotSpec`, default: (1, 1, 1)
             The position of the subplot described by one of
 
             - Three integers (*nrows*, *ncols*, *index*). The subplot will
               take the *index* position on a grid with *nrows* rows and
               *ncols* columns. *index* starts at 1 in the upper left corner
               and increases to the right.
-            - A 3-digit integer. The digits are interpreted as if given
-              separately as three single-digit integers, i.e.
+            - A `.SubplotSpec`.
+            - For backcompatibility, a 3-digit integer. The digits are
+              interpreted as if given separately as three
+              single-digit integers, i.e.
               ``fig.add_subplot(235)`` is the same as
               ``fig.add_subplot(2, 3, 5)``. Note that this can only be used
               if there are no more than 9 subplots.
-            - A `.SubplotSpec`.
 
             In rare circumstances, `.add_subplot` may be called with a single
             argument, a subplot axes instance already created in the
-            present figure but not in the figure's list of axes.
+            present figure, but not in the figure's list of axes.
 
         projection : {None, 'aitoff', 'hammer', 'lambert', 'mollweide', \
 'polar', 'rectilinear', str}, optional
@@ -1345,13 +1346,13 @@ def add_subplot(self, *args, **kwargs):
 
             fig = plt.figure()
 
-            fig.add_subplot(231)
+            fig.add_subplot(2, 3, 1)
             ax1 = fig.add_subplot(2, 3, 1)  # equivalent but more general
 
-            fig.add_subplot(232, frameon=False)  # subplot with no frame
-            fig.add_subplot(233, projection='polar')  # polar subplot
-            fig.add_subplot(234, sharex=ax1)  # subplot sharing x-axis with ax1
-            fig.add_subplot(235, facecolor="red")  # red subplot
+            fig.add_subplot(2, 3, 2, frameon=False)  # subplot with no frame
+            fig.add_subplot(2, 3, 3, projection='polar')  # polar subplot
+            fig.add_subplot(2, 3, 4, sharex=ax1)  # sharing x-axis with ax1
+            fig.add_subplot(2, 3, 5, facecolor="red")  # red subplot
 
             ax1.remove()  # delete ax1 from the figure
             fig.add_subplot(ax1)  # add ax1 back to the figure
@@ -1411,7 +1412,7 @@ def add_subplot(self, *args, **kwargs):
                     return ax
                 else:
                     # Undocumented convenience behavior:
-                    # subplot(111); subplot(111, projection='polar')
+                    # subplot(1, 1, 1); subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='polar')
                     # will replace the first with the second.
                     # Without this, add_subplot would be simpler and
                     # more similar to add_axes.
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_arrow_patches.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_arrow_patches.py
index 2218a2e7f429..59e9fa491bf6 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_arrow_patches.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_arrow_patches.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ def __prepare_fancyarrow_dpi_cor_test():
     NB: this function *is not* a test in itself!
     """
     fig2 = plt.figure("fancyarrow_dpi_cor_test", figsize=(4, 3), dpi=50)
-    ax = fig2.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig2.add_subplot()
     ax.set_xlim([0, 1])
     ax.set_ylim([0, 1])
     ax.add_patch(mpatches.FancyArrowPatch(posA=(0.3, 0.4), posB=(0.8, 0.6),
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_artist.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_artist.py
index 92ac982b5969..c045c9ce2877 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_artist.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_artist.py
@@ -105,13 +105,13 @@ def test_clipping():
     star = mpath.Path.unit_regular_star(6).deepcopy()
     star.vertices *= 2.6
 
-    ax1 = plt.subplot(121)
+    ax1 = plt.subplot(1, 2, 1)
     col = mcollections.PathCollection([star], lw=5, edgecolor='blue',
                                       facecolor='red', alpha=0.7, hatch='*')
     col.set_clip_path(clip_path, ax1.transData)
     ax1.add_collection(col)
 
-    ax2 = plt.subplot(122, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
+    ax2 = plt.subplot(1, 2, 2, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
     patch = mpatches.PathPatch(star, lw=5, edgecolor='blue', facecolor='red',
                                alpha=0.7, hatch='*')
     patch.set_clip_path(clip_path, ax2.transData)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
index 028a44c44a2f..373e9c337763 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ def test_twin_axis_locators_formatters():
     minl = plt.FixedLocator([0.1, 0.2, 0.3])
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax1 = fig.add_subplot()
     ax1.plot([0.1, 100], [0, 1])
     ax1.yaxis.set_major_locator(majl)
     ax1.yaxis.set_minor_locator(minl)
@@ -320,8 +320,8 @@ def test_inverted_cla():
     # 5. two shared axes. Inverting the master axis should invert the shared
     # axes; clearing the master axis should bring axes in shared
     # axes back to normal.
-    ax0 = plt.subplot(211)
-    ax1 = plt.subplot(212, sharey=ax0)
+    ax0 = plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
+    ax1 = plt.subplot(2, 1, 2, sharey=ax0)
     ax0.yaxis.set_inverted(True)
     assert ax1.yaxis_inverted()
     ax1.plot(x, np.cos(x))
@@ -411,12 +411,12 @@ def test_sticky_shared_axes(fig_test, fig_ref):
     # "master" in a share, or an axes that is a "follower".
     Z = np.arange(15).reshape(3, 5)
 
-    ax0 = fig_test.add_subplot(211)
-    ax1 = fig_test.add_subplot(212, sharex=ax0)
+    ax0 = fig_test.add_subplot(2, 1, 1)
+    ax1 = fig_test.add_subplot(2, 1, 2, sharex=ax0)
     ax1.pcolormesh(Z)
 
-    ax0 = fig_ref.add_subplot(212)
-    ax1 = fig_ref.add_subplot(211, sharex=ax0)
+    ax0 = fig_ref.add_subplot(2, 1, 2)
+    ax1 = fig_ref.add_subplot(2, 1, 1, sharex=ax0)
     ax0.pcolormesh(Z)
 
 
@@ -429,7 +429,7 @@ def test_basic_annotate():
     # Offset Points
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, autoscale_on=False, xlim=(-1, 5), ylim=(-3, 5))
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, autoscale_on=False, xlim=(-1, 5), ylim=(-3, 5))
     line, = ax.plot(t, s, lw=3, color='purple')
 
     ax.annotate('local max', xy=(3, 1), xycoords='data',
@@ -508,23 +508,23 @@ def test_fill_units():
     fig = plt.figure()
 
     # Top-Left
-    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(221)
+    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 1)
     ax1.plot([t], [value], yunits='deg', color='red')
     ind = [0, 0, 1, 1]
     ax1.fill(dtn[ind], [0.0, 0.0, 90.0, 0.0], 'b')
     # Top-Right
-    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(222)
+    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 2)
     ax2.plot([t], [value], yunits='deg', color='red')
     ax2.fill([t, t, t + day, t + day],
              [0.0, 0.0, 90.0, 0.0], 'b')
     # Bottom-Left
-    ax3 = fig.add_subplot(223)
+    ax3 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 3)
     ax3.plot([t], [value], yunits='deg', color='red')
     ax3.fill(dtn[ind],
              [0 * units.deg, 0 * units.deg, 90 * units.deg, 0 * units.deg],
              'b')
     # Bottom-Right
-    ax4 = fig.add_subplot(224)
+    ax4 = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 4)
     ax4.plot([t], [value], yunits='deg', color='red')
     ax4.fill([t, t, t + day, t + day],
              [0 * units.deg, 0 * units.deg, 90 * units.deg, 0 * units.deg],
@@ -539,20 +539,20 @@ def test_single_point():
     matplotlib.rcParams['axes.grid'] = True
 
     plt.figure()
-    plt.subplot(211)
+    plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
     plt.plot([0], [0], 'o')
 
-    plt.subplot(212)
+    plt.subplot(2, 1, 2)
     plt.plot([1], [1], 'o')
 
     # Reuse testcase from above for a labeled data test
     data = {'a': [0], 'b': [1]}
 
     plt.figure()
-    plt.subplot(211)
+    plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
     plt.plot('a', 'a', 'o', data=data)
 
-    plt.subplot(212)
+    plt.subplot(2, 1, 2)
     plt.plot('b', 'b', 'o', data=data)
 
 
@@ -745,7 +745,7 @@ def test_imshow():
     # Reuse testcase from above for a labeled data test
     data = {"r": r}
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.imshow("r", data=data)
 
 
@@ -984,15 +984,15 @@ def test_pcolormesh_datetime_axis():
     y = np.arange(21)
     z1, z2 = np.meshgrid(np.arange(20), np.arange(20))
     z = z1 * z2
-    plt.subplot(221)
+    plt.subplot(2, 2, 1)
     plt.pcolormesh(x[:-1], y[:-1], z[:-1, :-1])
-    plt.subplot(222)
+    plt.subplot(2, 2, 2)
     plt.pcolormesh(x, y, z)
     x = np.repeat(x[np.newaxis], 21, axis=0)
     y = np.repeat(y[:, np.newaxis], 21, axis=1)
-    plt.subplot(223)
+    plt.subplot(2, 2, 3)
     plt.pcolormesh(x[:-1, :-1], y[:-1, :-1], z[:-1, :-1])
-    plt.subplot(224)
+    plt.subplot(2, 2, 4)
     plt.pcolormesh(x, y, z)
     for ax in fig.get_axes():
         for label in ax.get_xticklabels():
@@ -1010,15 +1010,15 @@ def test_pcolor_datetime_axis():
     y = np.arange(21)
     z1, z2 = np.meshgrid(np.arange(20), np.arange(20))
     z = z1 * z2
-    plt.subplot(221)
+    plt.subplot(2, 2, 1)
     plt.pcolor(x[:-1], y[:-1], z[:-1, :-1])
-    plt.subplot(222)
+    plt.subplot(2, 2, 2)
     plt.pcolor(x, y, z)
     x = np.repeat(x[np.newaxis], 21, axis=0)
     y = np.repeat(y[:, np.newaxis], 21, axis=1)
-    plt.subplot(223)
+    plt.subplot(2, 2, 3)
     plt.pcolor(x[:-1, :-1], y[:-1, :-1], z[:-1, :-1])
-    plt.subplot(224)
+    plt.subplot(2, 2, 4)
     plt.pcolor(x, y, z)
     for ax in fig.get_axes():
         for label in ax.get_xticklabels():
@@ -1161,7 +1161,7 @@ def test_arc_ellipse():
     y += ycenter
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(211, aspect='auto')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 1, 1, aspect='auto')
     ax.fill(x, y, alpha=0.2, facecolor='yellow', edgecolor='yellow',
             linewidth=1, zorder=1)
 
@@ -1170,7 +1170,7 @@ def test_arc_ellipse():
 
     ax.add_patch(e1)
 
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(212, aspect='equal')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 1, 2, aspect='equal')
     ax.fill(x, y, alpha=0.2, facecolor='green', edgecolor='green', zorder=1)
     e2 = mpatches.Arc((xcenter, ycenter), width, height,
                       angle=angle, linewidth=2, fill=False, zorder=2)
@@ -1185,7 +1185,7 @@ def test_markevery():
 
     # check marker only plot
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(x, y, 'o', label='default')
     ax.plot(x, y, 'd', markevery=None, label='mark all')
     ax.plot(x, y, 's', markevery=10, label='mark every 10')
@@ -1200,7 +1200,7 @@ def test_markevery_line():
 
     # check line/marker combos
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(x, y, '-o', label='default')
     ax.plot(x, y, '-d', markevery=None, label='mark all')
     ax.plot(x, y, '-s', markevery=10, label='mark every 10')
@@ -1315,7 +1315,7 @@ def test_markevery_polar():
 def test_marker_edges():
     x = np.linspace(0, 1, 10)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(x, np.sin(x), 'y.', ms=30.0, mew=0, mec='r')
     ax.plot(x+0.1, np.sin(x), 'y.', ms=30.0, mew=1, mec='r')
     ax.plot(x+0.2, np.sin(x), 'y.', ms=30.0, mew=2, mec='b')
@@ -1330,7 +1330,7 @@ def test_bar_tick_label_single():
     # Reuse testcase from above for a labeled data test
     data = {"a": 0, "b": 1}
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax = plt.gca()
     ax.bar("a", "b", align='edge', tick_label='0', data=data)
 
@@ -1513,7 +1513,7 @@ def test_hist_log():
     data0 = np.linspace(0, 1, 200)**3
     data = np.concatenate([1 - data0, 1 + data0])
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist(data, fill=False, log=True)
 
 
@@ -1653,7 +1653,7 @@ def contour_dat():
 def test_contour_hatching():
     x, y, z = contour_dat()
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.contourf(x, y, z, 7, hatches=['/', '\\', '//', '-'],
                 cmap=plt.get_cmap('gray'),
                 extend='both', alpha=0.5)
@@ -1664,7 +1664,7 @@ def test_contour_colorbar():
     x, y, z = contour_dat()
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     cs = ax.contourf(x, y, z, levels=np.arange(-1.8, 1.801, 0.2),
                      cmap=plt.get_cmap('RdBu'),
                      vmin=-0.6,
@@ -1689,13 +1689,13 @@ def test_hist2d():
     x = np.random.randn(100)*2+5
     y = np.random.randn(100)-2
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist2d(x, y, bins=10, rasterized=True)
 
     # Reuse testcase from above for a labeled data test
     data = {"x": x, "y": y}
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist2d("x", "y", bins=10, data=data, rasterized=True)
 
 
@@ -1707,7 +1707,7 @@ def test_hist2d_transpose():
     x = np.array([5]*100)
     y = np.random.randn(100)-2
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist2d(x, y, bins=10, rasterized=True)
 
 
@@ -2033,7 +2033,7 @@ def _as_mpl_axes(self):
     plt.close()
 
     # testing axes creation with subplot
-    ax = plt.subplot(121, projection=prj)
+    ax = plt.subplot(1, 2, 1, projection=prj)
     assert type(ax) == mpl.axes._subplots.subplot_class_factory(PolarAxes)
     plt.close()
 
@@ -2052,7 +2052,7 @@ def test_pyplot_axes():
 @image_comparison(['log_scales'])
 def test_log_scales():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(np.log(np.linspace(0.1, 100)))
     ax.set_yscale('log', base=5.5)
     ax.invert_yaxis()
@@ -2068,7 +2068,7 @@ def test_log_scales_no_data():
 
 def test_log_scales_invalid():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.set_xscale('log')
     with pytest.warns(UserWarning, match='Attempted to set non-positive'):
         ax.set_xlim(-1, 10)
@@ -2084,7 +2084,7 @@ def test_stackplot():
     y1 = 1.0 * x
     y2 = 2.0 * x + 1
     y3 = 3.0 * x + 2
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.stackplot(x, y1, y2, y3)
     ax.set_xlim((0, 10))
     ax.set_ylim((0, 70))
@@ -2092,7 +2092,7 @@ def test_stackplot():
     # Reuse testcase from above for a labeled data test
     data = {"x": x, "y1": y1, "y2": y2, "y3": y3}
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.stackplot("x", "y1", "y2", "y3", data=data)
     ax.set_xlim((0, 10))
     ax.set_ylim((0, 70))
@@ -2507,7 +2507,7 @@ def test_boxplot_with_CIarray():
     x = np.linspace(-7, 7, 140)
     x = np.hstack([-25, x, 25])
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     CIs = np.array([[-1.5, 3.], [-1., 3.5]])
 
     # show a boxplot with Matplotlib medians and confidence intervals, and
@@ -2956,7 +2956,7 @@ def test_errorbar_limits():
     ls = 'dotted'
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
 
     # standard error bars
     plt.errorbar(x, y, xerr=xerr, yerr=yerr, ls=ls, color='blue')
@@ -3045,13 +3045,13 @@ def test_hist_stacked_stepfilled():
     d1 = np.linspace(1, 3, 20)
     d2 = np.linspace(0, 10, 50)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist((d1, d2), histtype="stepfilled", stacked=True)
 
     # Reuse testcase from above for a labeled data test
     data = {"x": (d1, d2)}
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist("x", histtype="stepfilled", stacked=True, data=data)
 
 
@@ -3061,7 +3061,7 @@ def test_hist_offset():
     d1 = np.linspace(0, 10, 50)
     d2 = np.linspace(1, 3, 20)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist(d1, bottom=5)
     ax.hist(d2, bottom=15)
 
@@ -3071,7 +3071,7 @@ def test_hist_step():
     # make some data
     d1 = np.linspace(1, 3, 20)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist(d1, histtype="step")
     ax.set_ylim(0, 10)
     ax.set_xlim(-1, 5)
@@ -3083,7 +3083,7 @@ def test_hist_step_horiz():
     d1 = np.linspace(0, 10, 50)
     d2 = np.linspace(1, 3, 20)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist((d1, d2), histtype="step", orientation="horizontal")
 
 
@@ -3095,7 +3095,7 @@ def test_hist_stacked_weighted():
     w1 = np.linspace(0.01, 3.5, 50)
     w2 = np.linspace(0.05, 2., 20)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist((d1, d2), weights=(w1, w2), histtype="stepfilled", stacked=True)
 
 
@@ -3123,7 +3123,7 @@ def _test_stem(use_line_collection):
 
 def test_stem_args():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
 
     x = list(range(10))
     y = list(range(10))
@@ -3149,7 +3149,7 @@ def test_hist_stacked_stepfilled_alpha():
     d1 = np.linspace(1, 3, 20)
     d2 = np.linspace(0, 10, 50)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist((d1, d2), histtype="stepfilled", stacked=True, alpha=0.5)
 
 
@@ -3159,7 +3159,7 @@ def test_hist_stacked_step():
     d1 = np.linspace(1, 3, 20)
     d2 = np.linspace(0, 10, 50)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist((d1, d2), histtype="step", stacked=True)
 
 
@@ -3177,7 +3177,7 @@ def test_hist_step_bottom():
     # make some data
     d1 = np.linspace(1, 3, 20)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist(d1, bottom=np.arange(10), histtype="stepfilled")
 
 
@@ -3324,7 +3324,7 @@ def test_hist_stacked_bar():
               (0.28302699607823545, 0.0, 1.0), (0.6849123462299822, 0.0, 1.0)]
     labels = ['green', 'orange', ' yellow', 'magenta', 'black']
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist(d, bins=10, histtype='barstacked', align='mid', color=colors,
             label=labels)
     ax.legend(loc='upper right', bbox_to_anchor=(1.0, 1.0), ncol=1)
@@ -3332,7 +3332,7 @@ def test_hist_stacked_bar():
 
 def test_hist_emptydata():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.hist([[], range(10), range(10)], histtype="step")
 
 
@@ -3357,7 +3357,7 @@ def test_transparent_markers():
     data = np.random.random(50)
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(data, 'D', mfc='none', markersize=100)
 
 
@@ -3383,7 +3383,7 @@ def test_mollweide_grid():
     # test that both horizontal and vertical gridlines appear on the Mollweide
     # projection
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='mollweide')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='mollweide')
     ax.grid()
 
 
@@ -3391,7 +3391,7 @@ def test_mollweide_forward_inverse_closure():
     # test that the round-trip Mollweide forward->inverse transformation is an
     # approximate identity
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='mollweide')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='mollweide')
 
     # set up 1-degree grid in longitude, latitude
     lon = np.linspace(-np.pi, np.pi, 360)
@@ -3413,7 +3413,7 @@ def test_mollweide_inverse_forward_closure():
     # test that the round-trip Mollweide inverse->forward transformation is an
     # approximate identity
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='mollweide')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='mollweide')
 
     # set up grid in x, y
     x = np.linspace(0, 1, 500)
@@ -3436,7 +3436,7 @@ def test_alpha():
     data = np.random.random(50)
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
 
     # alpha=.5 markers, solid line
     ax.plot(data, '-D', color=[1, 0, 0], mfc=[1, 0, 0, .5],
@@ -3488,7 +3488,7 @@ def test_eventplot():
     linelengths = linelengths1 + linelengths2
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    axobj = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    axobj = fig.add_subplot()
     colls = axobj.eventplot(data, colors=colors, lineoffsets=lineoffsets,
                             linelengths=linelengths)
 
@@ -3498,7 +3498,7 @@ def test_eventplot():
     # Reuse testcase from above for a labeled data test
     data = {"pos": data, "c": colors, "lo": lineoffsets, "ll": linelengths}
     fig = plt.figure()
-    axobj = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    axobj = fig.add_subplot()
     colls = axobj.eventplot("pos", colors="c", lineoffsets="lo",
                             linelengths="ll", data=data)
     num_collections = len(colls)
@@ -3518,7 +3518,7 @@ def test_eventplot_defaults():
     data = data1 + data2
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    axobj = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    axobj = fig.add_subplot()
     axobj.eventplot(data)
 
 
@@ -3562,7 +3562,7 @@ def test_eventplot_problem_kwargs(recwarn):
     data = [data1, data2]
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    axobj = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    axobj = fig.add_subplot()
 
     axobj.eventplot(data,
                     colors=['r', 'b'],
@@ -3600,7 +3600,7 @@ def test_eventplot_orientation(data, orientation):
 @image_comparison(['marker_styles.png'], remove_text=True)
 def test_marker_styles():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     for y, marker in enumerate(sorted(matplotlib.markers.MarkerStyle.markers,
                                       key=lambda x: str(type(x))+str(x))):
         ax.plot((y % 2)*5 + np.arange(10)*10, np.ones(10)*10*y, linestyle='',
@@ -3623,7 +3623,7 @@ def test_vertex_markers():
     marker_as_tuple = ((-1, -1), (1, -1), (1, 1), (-1, 1))
     marker_as_list = [(-1, -1), (1, -1), (1, 1), (-1, 1)]
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(data, linestyle='', marker=marker_as_tuple, mfc='k')
     ax.plot(data[::-1], linestyle='', marker=marker_as_list, mfc='b')
     ax.set_xlim([-1, 10])
@@ -3831,7 +3831,7 @@ def test_step_linestyle():
 def test_mixed_collection():
     # First illustrate basic pyplot interface, using defaults where possible.
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
 
     c = mpatches.Circle((8, 8), radius=4, facecolor='none', edgecolor='green')
 
@@ -4066,7 +4066,7 @@ def make_patch_spines_invisible(ax):
     fig = plt.figure(figsize=(4, 3))
     fig.subplots_adjust(right=0.75)
 
-    host = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    host = fig.add_subplot()
     par1 = host.twinx()
     par2 = host.twinx()
 
@@ -4107,7 +4107,7 @@ def test_twin_spines_on_top():
     matplotlib.rcParams['lines.linewidth'] = 48.0
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax1 = fig.add_subplot()
 
     data = np.array([[1000, 1100, 1200, 1250],
                      [310, 301, 360, 400]])
@@ -4123,7 +4123,7 @@ def test_twin_spines_on_top():
     # Reuse testcase from above for a labeled data test
     data = {"i": data[0], "j": data[1]/1E3}
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax1 = fig.add_subplot()
     ax2 = ax1.twinx()
     ax1.plot("i", "j", color='#BEAED4', data=data)
     ax1.fill_between("i", "j", color='#BEAED4', alpha=.8, data=data)
@@ -4146,7 +4146,7 @@ def test_rcparam_grid_minor():
     for locator, result in values:
         matplotlib.rcParams['axes.grid.which'] = locator
         fig = plt.figure()
-        ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+        ax = fig.add_subplot()
         assert (ax.xaxis._gridOnMajor, ax.xaxis._gridOnMinor) == result
 
     matplotlib.rcParams['axes.grid'] = orig_grid
@@ -4236,7 +4236,7 @@ def test_relim_visible_only():
     y2 = (-10., 30.)
 
     fig = matplotlib.figure.Figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(x1, y1)
     assert ax.get_xlim() == x1
     assert ax.get_ylim() == y1
@@ -4643,7 +4643,7 @@ def test_rc_tick():
          'ytick.left': True, 'ytick.right': False}
     with plt.rc_context(rc=d):
         fig = plt.figure()
-        ax1 = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+        ax1 = fig.add_subplot()
         xax = ax1.xaxis
         yax = ax1.yaxis
         # tick1On bottom/left
@@ -4666,7 +4666,7 @@ def test_rc_major_minor_tick():
          'ytick.major.left': False, 'ytick.minor.left': False}
     with plt.rc_context(rc=d):
         fig = plt.figure()
-        ax1 = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+        ax1 = fig.add_subplot()
         xax = ax1.xaxis
         yax = ax1.yaxis
         # tick1On bottom/left
@@ -4960,12 +4960,12 @@ def test_shared_axes_autoscale():
     l = np.arange(-80, 90, 40)
     t = np.random.random_sample((l.size, l.size))
 
-    ax1 = plt.subplot(211)
+    ax1 = plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
     ax1.set_xlim(-1000, 1000)
     ax1.set_ylim(-1000, 1000)
     ax1.contour(l, l, t)
 
-    ax2 = plt.subplot(212, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
+    ax2 = plt.subplot(2, 1, 2, sharex=ax1, sharey=ax1)
     ax2.contour(l, l, t)
     assert not ax1.get_autoscalex_on() and not ax2.get_autoscalex_on()
     assert not ax1.get_autoscaley_on() and not ax2.get_autoscaley_on()
@@ -5270,7 +5270,7 @@ def test_title_xticks_top_both():
 def test_offset_label_color():
     # Tests issue 6440
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot([1.01e9, 1.02e9, 1.03e9])
     ax.yaxis.set_tick_params(labelcolor='red')
     assert ax.yaxis.get_offset_text().get_color() == 'red'
@@ -5278,7 +5278,7 @@ def test_offset_label_color():
 
 def test_offset_text_visible():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot([1.01e9, 1.02e9, 1.03e9])
     ax.yaxis.set_tick_params(label1On=False, label2On=True)
     assert ax.yaxis.get_offset_text().get_visible()
@@ -5423,7 +5423,7 @@ def test_invalid_axis_limits():
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('xscale', ['symlog', 'log'])
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('yscale', ['symlog', 'log'])
 def test_minorticks_on(xscale, yscale):
-    ax = plt.subplot(111)
+    ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1)
     ax.plot([1, 2, 3, 4])
     ax.set_xscale(xscale)
     ax.set_yscale(yscale)
@@ -5933,13 +5933,13 @@ def test_minor_accountedfor():
 @check_figures_equal(extensions=["png"])
 def test_axis_bool_arguments(fig_test, fig_ref):
     # Test if False and "off" give the same
-    fig_test.add_subplot(211).axis(False)
-    fig_ref.add_subplot(211).axis("off")
+    fig_test.add_subplot(2, 1, 1).axis(False)
+    fig_ref.add_subplot(2, 1, 1).axis("off")
     # Test if True after False gives the same as "on"
-    ax = fig_test.add_subplot(212)
+    ax = fig_test.add_subplot(2, 1, 2)
     ax.axis(False)
     ax.axis(True)
-    fig_ref.add_subplot(212).axis("on")
+    fig_ref.add_subplot(2, 1, 2).axis("on")
 
 
 def test_axis_extent_arg():
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_pdf.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_pdf.py
index 92fc22bdc7e3..47f6113f3cdd 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_pdf.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_pdf.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ def test_use14corefonts():
 "Merci pépé pour les 10 €"'''
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.set_title('Test PDF backend with option use14corefonts=True')
     ax.text(0.5, 0.5, text, horizontalalignment='center',
             verticalalignment='bottom',
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def test_type42():
     rcParams['pdf.fonttype'] = 42
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot([1, 2, 3])
     fig.savefig(io.BytesIO())
 
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def test_multipage_pagecount():
     with PdfPages(io.BytesIO()) as pdf:
         assert pdf.get_pagecount() == 0
         fig = plt.figure()
-        ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+        ax = fig.add_subplot()
         ax.plot([1, 2, 3])
         fig.savefig(pdf, format="pdf")
         assert pdf.get_pagecount() == 1
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ def test_multipage_properfinalize():
     with PdfPages(pdfio) as pdf:
         for i in range(10):
             fig = plt.figure()
-            ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+            ax = fig.add_subplot()
             ax.set_title('This is a long title')
             fig.savefig(pdf, format="pdf")
     pdfio.seek(0)
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ def test_multipage_keep_empty():
     assert not os.path.exists(filename)
     # test pdf files with content, they should never be deleted
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot([1, 2, 3])
     # test that a non-empty pdf is left behind with keep_empty=True (default)
     with NamedTemporaryFile(delete=False) as tmp:
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ def test_composite_image():
     X, Y = np.meshgrid(np.arange(-5, 5, 1), np.arange(-5, 5, 1))
     Z = np.sin(Y ** 2)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.set_xlim(0, 3)
     ax.imshow(Z, extent=[0, 1, 0, 1])
     ax.imshow(Z[::-1], extent=[2, 3, 0, 1])
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_pgf.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_pgf.py
index ba4d2877eec5..53825cc7c955 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_pgf.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_pgf.py
@@ -202,9 +202,9 @@ def test_bbox_inches():
 
     Y, X = np.ogrid[-1:1:40j, -1:1:40j]
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(121)
+    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 1)
     ax1.plot(range(5))
-    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(122)
+    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 2)
     ax2.plot(range(5))
     plt.tight_layout()
 
@@ -225,12 +225,12 @@ def test_pdf_pages():
     mpl.rcParams.update(rc_pdflatex)
 
     fig1 = plt.figure()
-    ax1 = fig1.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax1 = fig1.add_subplot()
     ax1.plot(range(5))
     fig1.tight_layout()
 
     fig2 = plt.figure(figsize=(3, 2))
-    ax2 = fig2.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax2 = fig2.add_subplot()
     ax2.plot(range(5))
     fig2.tight_layout()
 
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ def test_pdf_pages_metadata():
     mpl.rcParams.update(rc_pdflatex)
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(range(5))
     fig.tight_layout()
 
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ def test_pdf_pages_lualatex():
     mpl.rcParams.update(rc_pdflatex)
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(range(5))
     fig.tight_layout()
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_svg.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_svg.py
index 7bdc3ca33b0a..fb16a5bd556f 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_svg.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_backend_svg.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def test_visibility():
 @image_comparison(['fill_black_with_alpha.svg'], remove_text=True)
 def test_fill_black_with_alpha():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.scatter(x=[0, 0.1, 1], y=[0, 0, 0], c='k', alpha=0.1, s=10000)
 
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ def test_noscale():
     Z = np.sin(Y ** 2)
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.imshow(Z, cmap='gray', interpolation='none')
 
 
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ def test_text_urls():
 @image_comparison(['bold_font_output.svg'])
 def test_bold_font_output():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(np.arange(10), np.arange(10))
     ax.set_xlabel('nonbold-xlabel')
     ax.set_ylabel('bold-ylabel', fontweight='bold')
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ def test_bold_font_output():
 def test_bold_font_output_with_none_fonttype():
     plt.rcParams['svg.fonttype'] = 'none'
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(np.arange(10), np.arange(10))
     ax.set_xlabel('nonbold-xlabel')
     ax.set_ylabel('bold-ylabel', fontweight='bold')
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ def test_gid():
 
     fig = plt.figure()
 
-    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(131)
+    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(1, 3, 1)
     ax1.imshow([[1., 2.], [2., 3.]], aspect="auto")
     ax1.scatter([1, 2, 3], [1, 2, 3], label="myscatter")
     ax1.plot([2, 3, 1], label="myplot")
@@ -160,10 +160,10 @@ def test_gid():
     ax1a = ax1.twinx()
     ax1a.bar([1, 2, 3], [1, 2, 3])
 
-    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(132, projection="polar")
+    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(1, 3, 2, projection="polar")
     ax2.plot([0, 1.5, 3], [1, 2, 3])
 
-    ax3 = fig.add_subplot(133, projection="3d")
+    ax3 = fig.add_subplot(1, 3, 3, projection="3d")
     ax3.plot([1, 2], [1, 2], [1, 2])
 
     fig.canvas.draw()
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_bbox_tight.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_bbox_tight.py
index d4b3d6f1564d..191e37a713df 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_bbox_tight.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_bbox_tight.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ def test_bbox_inches_tight_clipping():
 def test_bbox_inches_tight_raster():
     """Test rasterization with tight_layout"""
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot([1.0, 2.0], rasterized=True)
 
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_collections.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_collections.py
index 2eaf703474e0..7b8081cbcbef 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_collections.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_collections.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def generate_EventCollection_plot():
                            )
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.add_collection(coll)
     ax.set_title('EventCollection: default')
     props = {'positions': positions,
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ def test_joinstyle():
 @image_comparison(['cap_and_joinstyle.png'])
 def test_cap_and_joinstyle_image():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.set_xlim([-0.5, 1.5])
     ax.set_ylim([-0.5, 2.5])
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_colorbar.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_colorbar.py
index 2a234cf7c0e9..5a617a65c879 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_colorbar.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_colorbar.py
@@ -158,11 +158,11 @@ def test_colorbar_positioning():
 
     # -------------------
     plt.figure()
-    ax1 = plt.subplot(211, anchor='NE', aspect='equal')
+    ax1 = plt.subplot(2, 1, 1, anchor='NE', aspect='equal')
     plt.contourf(data, levels=levels)
-    ax2 = plt.subplot(223)
+    ax2 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 3)
     plt.contourf(data, levels=levels)
-    ax3 = plt.subplot(224)
+    ax3 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 4)
     plt.contourf(data, levels=levels)
 
     plt.colorbar(ax=[ax2, ax3, ax1], location='right', pad=0.0, shrink=0.5,
@@ -180,11 +180,11 @@ def test_gridspec_make_colorbar():
     data = np.arange(1200).reshape(30, 40)
     levels = [0, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200]
 
-    plt.subplot(121)
+    plt.subplot(1, 2, 1)
     plt.contourf(data, levels=levels)
     plt.colorbar(use_gridspec=True, orientation='vertical')
 
-    plt.subplot(122)
+    plt.subplot(1, 2, 2)
     plt.contourf(data, levels=levels)
     plt.colorbar(use_gridspec=True, orientation='horizontal')
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_colors.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_colors.py
index f94cf63280e2..50a9441633b6 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_colors.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_colors.py
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ def test_SymLogNorm_colorbar():
     """
     norm = mcolors.SymLogNorm(0.1, vmin=-1, vmax=1, linscale=1, base=np.e)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    mcolorbar.ColorbarBase(fig.add_subplot(111), norm=norm)
+    mcolorbar.ColorbarBase(fig.add_subplot(), norm=norm)
     plt.close(fig)
 
 
@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ def test_SymLogNorm_single_zero():
     """
     fig = plt.figure()
     norm = mcolors.SymLogNorm(1e-5, vmin=-1, vmax=1, base=np.e)
-    cbar = mcolorbar.ColorbarBase(fig.add_subplot(111), norm=norm)
+    cbar = mcolorbar.ColorbarBase(fig.add_subplot(), norm=norm)
     ticks = cbar.get_ticks()
     assert sum(ticks == 0) == 1
     plt.close(fig)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_constrainedlayout.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_constrainedlayout.py
index 46e6b9663ef3..acd0111c9014 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_constrainedlayout.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_constrainedlayout.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def example_pcolor(ax, fontsize=12):
 def test_constrained_layout1():
     """Test constrained_layout for a single subplot"""
     fig = plt.figure(constrained_layout=True)
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     example_plot(ax, fontsize=24)
 
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_contour.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_contour.py
index fa77da1018c9..85eb8169bb7d 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_contour.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_contour.py
@@ -172,15 +172,15 @@ def test_contour_datetime_axis():
     y = np.arange(20)
     z1, z2 = np.meshgrid(np.arange(20), np.arange(20))
     z = z1 * z2
-    plt.subplot(221)
+    plt.subplot(2, 2, 1)
     plt.contour(x, y, z)
-    plt.subplot(222)
+    plt.subplot(2, 2, 2)
     plt.contourf(x, y, z)
     x = np.repeat(x[np.newaxis], 20, axis=0)
     y = np.repeat(y[:, np.newaxis], 20, axis=1)
-    plt.subplot(223)
+    plt.subplot(2, 2, 3)
     plt.contour(x, y, z)
-    plt.subplot(224)
+    plt.subplot(2, 2, 4)
     plt.contourf(x, y, z)
     for ax in fig.get_axes():
         for label in ax.get_xticklabels():
@@ -317,9 +317,9 @@ def test_contourf_log_extension():
     # Test that contourf with lognorm is extended correctly
     fig = plt.figure(figsize=(10, 5))
     fig.subplots_adjust(left=0.05, right=0.95)
-    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(131)
-    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(132)
-    ax3 = fig.add_subplot(133)
+    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(1, 3, 1)
+    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(1, 3, 2)
+    ax3 = fig.add_subplot(1, 3, 3)
 
     # make data set with large range e.g. between 1e-8 and 1e10
     data_exp = np.linspace(-7.5, 9.5, 1200)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_dates.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_dates.py
index b27b730c7919..25ccb7b5f55c 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_dates.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_dates.py
@@ -20,12 +20,12 @@ def test_date_numpyx():
     timenp = np.array(time, dtype='datetime64[ns]')
     data = np.array([0., 2., 1.])
     fig = plt.figure(figsize=(10, 2))
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     h, = ax.plot(time, data)
     hnp, = ax.plot(timenp, data)
     np.testing.assert_equal(h.get_xdata(orig=False), hnp.get_xdata(orig=False))
     fig = plt.figure(figsize=(10, 2))
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     h, = ax.plot(data, time)
     hnp, = ax.plot(data, timenp)
     np.testing.assert_equal(h.get_ydata(orig=False), hnp.get_ydata(orig=False))
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ def test_date_empty():
     # if no date data has been presented, cf
     # http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=2850075&group_id=80706&atid=560720
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.xaxis_date()
 
 
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ def test_date_axhspan():
     t0 = datetime.datetime(2009, 1, 20)
     tf = datetime.datetime(2009, 1, 21)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.axhspan(t0, tf, facecolor="blue", alpha=0.25)
     ax.set_ylim(t0 - datetime.timedelta(days=5),
                 tf + datetime.timedelta(days=5))
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ def test_date_axvspan():
     t0 = datetime.datetime(2000, 1, 20)
     tf = datetime.datetime(2010, 1, 21)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.axvspan(t0, tf, facecolor="blue", alpha=0.25)
     ax.set_xlim(t0 - datetime.timedelta(days=720),
                 tf + datetime.timedelta(days=720))
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ def test_date_axhline():
     t0 = datetime.datetime(2009, 1, 20)
     tf = datetime.datetime(2009, 1, 31)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.axhline(t0, color="blue", lw=3)
     ax.set_ylim(t0 - datetime.timedelta(days=5),
                 tf + datetime.timedelta(days=5))
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ def test_date_axvline():
     t0 = datetime.datetime(2000, 1, 20)
     tf = datetime.datetime(2000, 1, 21)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.axvline(t0, color="red", lw=3)
     ax.set_xlim(t0 - datetime.timedelta(days=5),
                 tf + datetime.timedelta(days=5))
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ def test_too_many_date_ticks(caplog):
     t0 = datetime.datetime(2000, 1, 20)
     tf = datetime.datetime(2000, 1, 20)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     with pytest.warns(UserWarning) as rec:
         ax.set_xlim((t0, tf), auto=True)
         assert len(rec) == 1
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ def test_RRuleLocator():
     tf = datetime.datetime(6000, 1, 1)
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = plt.subplot(111)
+    ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1)
     ax.set_autoscale_on(True)
     ax.plot([t0, tf], [0.0, 1.0], marker='o')
 
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ def test_DateFormatter():
     tf = datetime.datetime(2001, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1)
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = plt.subplot(111)
+    ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1)
     ax.set_autoscale_on(True)
     ax.plot([t0, tf], [0.0, 1.0], marker='o')
 
@@ -723,7 +723,7 @@ def test_date_inverted_limit():
     t0 = datetime.datetime(2009, 1, 20)
     tf = datetime.datetime(2009, 1, 31)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.axhline(t0, color="blue", lw=3)
     ax.set_ylim(t0 - datetime.timedelta(days=5),
                 tf + datetime.timedelta(days=5))
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_figure.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_figure.py
index 298924bf86a4..b88f8bf8b5e9 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_figure.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_figure.py
@@ -158,11 +158,11 @@ def test_gca():
     assert fig.gca(projection='rectilinear') is ax1
     assert fig.gca() is ax1
 
-    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(121, projection='polar')
+    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 1, projection='polar')
     assert fig.gca() is ax2
     assert fig.gca(polar=True) is ax2
 
-    ax3 = fig.add_subplot(122)
+    ax3 = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 2)
     assert fig.gca() is ax3
 
     # the final request for a polar axes will end up creating one
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_image.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_image.py
index 18609f1b5069..053d14e8478e 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_image.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_image.py
@@ -31,16 +31,16 @@ def test_image_interps():
     X = X.reshape(5, 20)
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(311)
+    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(3, 1, 1)
     ax1.imshow(X, interpolation='nearest')
     ax1.set_title('three interpolations')
     ax1.set_ylabel('nearest')
 
-    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(312)
+    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(3, 1, 2)
     ax2.imshow(X, interpolation='bilinear')
     ax2.set_ylabel('bilinear')
 
-    ax3 = fig.add_subplot(313)
+    ax3 = fig.add_subplot(3, 1, 3)
     ax3.imshow(X, interpolation='bicubic')
     ax3.set_ylabel('bicubic')
 
@@ -70,10 +70,10 @@ def test_interp_nearest_vs_none():
     X = np.array([[[218, 165, 32], [122, 103, 238]],
                   [[127, 255, 0], [255, 99, 71]]], dtype=np.uint8)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(121)
+    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 1)
     ax1.imshow(X, interpolation='none')
     ax1.set_title('interpolation none')
-    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(122)
+    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 2)
     ax2.imshow(X, interpolation='nearest')
     ax2.set_title('interpolation nearest')
 
@@ -276,13 +276,13 @@ def test_image_alpha():
     np.random.seed(0)
     Z = np.random.rand(6, 6)
 
-    plt.subplot(131)
+    plt.subplot(1, 3, 1)
     plt.imshow(Z, alpha=1.0, interpolation='none')
 
-    plt.subplot(132)
+    plt.subplot(1, 3, 2)
     plt.imshow(Z, alpha=0.5, interpolation='none')
 
-    plt.subplot(133)
+    plt.subplot(1, 3, 3)
     plt.imshow(Z, alpha=0.5, interpolation='nearest')
 
 
@@ -1074,10 +1074,10 @@ def test_image_array_alpha(fig_test, fig_ref):
     alpha = zz / zz.max()
 
     cmap = plt.get_cmap('viridis')
-    ax = fig_test.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig_test.add_subplot()
     ax.imshow(zz, alpha=alpha, cmap=cmap, interpolation='nearest')
 
-    ax = fig_ref.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig_ref.add_subplot()
     rgba = cmap(colors.Normalize()(zz))
     rgba[..., -1] = alpha
     ax.imshow(rgba, interpolation='nearest')
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_legend.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_legend.py
index 70494169c504..3ae436dcf79b 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_legend.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_legend.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ def test_legend_ordereddict():
 def test_legend_auto1():
     """Test automatic legend placement"""
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     x = np.arange(100)
     ax.plot(x, 50 - x, 'o', label='y=1')
     ax.plot(x, x - 50, 'o', label='y=-1')
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ def test_legend_auto1():
 def test_legend_auto2():
     """Test automatic legend placement"""
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     x = np.arange(100)
     b1 = ax.bar(x, x, align='edge', color='m')
     b2 = ax.bar(x, x[::-1], align='edge', color='g')
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ def test_legend_auto2():
 def test_legend_auto3():
     """Test automatic legend placement"""
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     x = [0.9, 0.1, 0.1, 0.9, 0.9, 0.5]
     y = [0.95, 0.95, 0.05, 0.05, 0.5, 0.5]
     ax.plot(x, y, 'o-', label='line')
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def test_legend_auto3():
 def test_various_labels():
     # tests all sorts of label types
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(121)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 1)
     ax.plot(np.arange(4), 'o', label=1)
     ax.plot(np.linspace(4, 4.1), 'o', label='Développés')
     ax.plot(np.arange(4, 1, -1), 'o', label='__nolegend__')
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ def test_various_labels():
 def test_labels_first():
     # test labels to left of markers
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(np.arange(10), '-o', label=1)
     ax.plot(np.ones(10)*5, ':x', label="x")
     ax.plot(np.arange(20, 10, -1), 'd', label="diamond")
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def test_labels_first():
 def test_multiple_keys():
     # test legend entries with multiple keys
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     p1, = ax.plot([1, 2, 3], '-o')
     p2, = ax.plot([2, 3, 4], '-x')
     p3, = ax.plot([3, 4, 5], '-d')
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ def test_alpha_rcparam():
 @image_comparison(['fancy'], remove_text=True)
 def test_fancy():
     # using subplot triggers some offsetbox functionality untested elsewhere
-    plt.subplot(121)
+    plt.subplot(1, 2, 1)
     plt.scatter(np.arange(10), np.arange(10, 0, -1), label='XX\nXX')
     plt.plot([5] * 10, 'o--', label='XX')
     plt.errorbar(np.arange(10), np.arange(10), xerr=0.5,
@@ -152,14 +152,14 @@ def test_framealpha():
 def test_rc():
     # using subplot triggers some offsetbox functionality untested elsewhere
     plt.figure()
-    ax = plt.subplot(121)
+    ax = plt.subplot(1, 2, 1)
     ax.scatter(np.arange(10), np.arange(10, 0, -1), label='three')
     ax.legend(loc="center left", bbox_to_anchor=[1.0, 0.5],
               title="My legend")
 
     mpl.rcParams['legend.scatterpoints'] = 1
     plt.figure()
-    ax = plt.subplot(121)
+    ax = plt.subplot(1, 2, 1)
     ax.scatter(np.arange(10), np.arange(10, 0, -1), label='one')
     ax.legend(loc="center left", bbox_to_anchor=[1.0, 0.5],
               title="My legend")
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ def test_hatching():
 
 def test_legend_remove():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     lines = ax.plot(range(10))
     leg = fig.legend(lines, "test")
     leg.remove()
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ def test_warn_args_kwargs(self):
     def test_parasite(self):
         from mpl_toolkits.axes_grid1 import host_subplot
 
-        host = host_subplot(111)
+        host = host_subplot(1, 1, 1)
         par = host.twinx()
 
         p1, = host.plot([0, 1, 2], [0, 1, 2], label="Density")
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ def test_legend_stackplot():
     """Test legend for PolyCollection using stackplot."""
     # related to #1341, #1943, and PR #3303
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     x = np.linspace(0, 10, 10)
     y1 = 1.0 * x
     y2 = 2.0 * x + 1
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_lines.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_lines.py
index d66509b0ee78..f89bcb7b427e 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_lines.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_lines.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def test_invisible_Line_rendering():
 
     # Create a plot figure:
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = plt.subplot(111)
+    ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1)
 
     # Create a "big" Line instance:
     l = mlines.Line2D(x, y)
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ def test_invisible_Line_rendering():
 
 def test_set_line_coll_dash():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     np.random.seed(0)
     # Testing setting linestyles for line collections.
     # This should not produce an error.
@@ -76,14 +76,14 @@ def test_set_line_coll_dash():
 @image_comparison(['line_dashes'], remove_text=True)
 def test_line_dashes():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
 
     ax.plot(range(10), linestyle=(0, (3, 3)), lw=5)
 
 
 def test_line_colors():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot(range(10), color='none')
     ax.plot(range(10), color='r')
     ax.plot(range(10), color='.3')
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def test_line_colors():
 
 def test_linestyle_variants():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     for ls in ["-", "solid", "--", "dashed",
                "-.", "dashdot", ":", "dotted"]:
         ax.plot(range(10), linestyle=ls)
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ def test_set_drawstyle():
 @image_comparison(['line_collection_dashes'], remove_text=True, style='mpl20')
 def test_set_line_coll_dash_image():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     np.random.seed(0)
     ax.contour(np.random.randn(20, 30), linestyles=[(0, (3, 3))])
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patches.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patches.py
index 9d1f84067b43..1b8f2fe53e58 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patches.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patches.py
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ def test_negative_rect():
 def test_clip_to_bbox():
     fig = plt.figure()
 
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.set_xlim([-18, 20])
     ax.set_ylim([-150, 100])
 
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ def test_patch_linestyle_accents():
                   "solid", "dashed", "dashdot", "dotted"]
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     for i, ls in enumerate(linestyles):
         star = mpath.Path(verts + i, codes)
         patch = mpatches.PathPatch(star,
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patheffects.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patheffects.py
index d8c54e770757..827582b4d502 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patheffects.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_patheffects.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 @image_comparison(['patheffect1'], remove_text=True)
 def test_patheffect1():
-    ax1 = plt.subplot(111)
+    ax1 = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1)
     ax1.imshow([[1, 2], [2, 3]])
     txt = ax1.annotate("test", (1., 1.), (0., 0),
                        arrowprops=dict(arrowstyle="->",
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def test_patheffect1():
 @image_comparison(['patheffect2'], remove_text=True, style='mpl20')
 def test_patheffect2():
 
-    ax2 = plt.subplot(111)
+    ax2 = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1)
     arr = np.arange(25).reshape((5, 5))
     ax2.imshow(arr, interpolation='nearest')
     cntr = ax2.contour(arr, colors="k")
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_pickle.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_pickle.py
index 6a78526b5a64..41e23590e415 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_pickle.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_pickle.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ def test_simple():
     fig = plt.figure()
     pickle.dump(fig, BytesIO(), pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL)
 
-    ax = plt.subplot(121)
+    ax = plt.subplot(1, 2, 1)
     pickle.dump(ax, BytesIO(), pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL)
 
     ax = plt.axes(projection='polar')
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def test_simple():
 
     pickle.dump(ax, BytesIO(), pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL)
 
-#    ax = plt.subplot(121, projection='hammer')
+#    ax = plt.subplot(1, 2, 1, projection='hammer')
 #    pickle.dump(ax, BytesIO(), pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL)
 
     plt.figure()
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ def test_no_pyplot():
     from matplotlib.backends.backend_pdf import FigureCanvasPdf
     fig = mfigure.Figure()
     _ = FigureCanvasPdf(fig)
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.plot([1, 2, 3], [1, 2, 3])
     pickle.dump(fig, BytesIO(), pickle.HIGHEST_PROTOCOL)
 
@@ -129,14 +129,14 @@ def test_image():
     from matplotlib.backends.backend_agg import new_figure_manager
     manager = new_figure_manager(1000)
     fig = manager.canvas.figure
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.imshow(np.arange(12).reshape(3, 4))
     manager.canvas.draw()
     pickle.dump(fig, BytesIO())
 
 
 def test_polar():
-    plt.subplot(111, polar=True)
+    plt.subplot(1, 1, 1, polar=True)
     fig = plt.gcf()
     pf = pickle.dumps(fig)
     pickle.loads(pf)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_polar.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_polar.py
index 12f03fd6c6bd..cc038ff72609 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_polar.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_polar.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def test_polar_annotations():
     theta = 2.0 * 2.0 * np.pi * r
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, polar=True)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, polar=True)
     line, = ax.plot(theta, r, color='#ee8d18', lw=3)
     line, = ax.plot((0, 0), (0, 1), color="#0000ff", lw=1)
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def test_polar_coord_annotations():
     el = mpl.patches.Ellipse((0, 0), 10, 20, facecolor='r', alpha=0.5)
 
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, aspect='equal')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, aspect='equal')
 
     ax.add_artist(el)
     el.set_clip_box(ax.bbox)
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ def test_polar_theta_position():
 @image_comparison(['polar_rlabel_position'], style='default')
 def test_polar_rlabel_position():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='polar')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='polar')
     ax.set_rlabel_position(315)
     ax.tick_params(rotation='auto')
 
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ def test_polar_not_datalim_adjustable():
 
 def test_polar_gridlines():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, polar=True)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, polar=True)
     # make all major grid lines lighter, only x grid lines set in 2.1.0
     ax.grid(alpha=0.2)
     # hide y tick labels, no effect in 2.1.0
@@ -314,13 +314,13 @@ def test_get_tightbbox_polar():
 def test_polar_interpolation_steps_constant_r(fig_test, fig_ref):
     # Check that an extra half-turn doesn't make any difference -- modulo
     # antialiasing, which we disable here.
-    p1 = (fig_test.add_subplot(121, projection="polar")
+    p1 = (fig_test.add_subplot(1, 2, 1, projection="polar")
           .bar([0], [1], 3*np.pi, edgecolor="none"))
-    p2 = (fig_test.add_subplot(122, projection="polar")
+    p2 = (fig_test.add_subplot(1, 2, 2, projection="polar")
           .bar([0], [1], -3*np.pi, edgecolor="none"))
-    p3 = (fig_ref.add_subplot(121, projection="polar")
+    p3 = (fig_ref.add_subplot(1, 2, 1, projection="polar")
           .bar([0], [1], 2*np.pi, edgecolor="none"))
-    p4 = (fig_ref.add_subplot(122, projection="polar")
+    p4 = (fig_ref.add_subplot(1, 2, 2, projection="polar")
           .bar([0], [1], -2*np.pi, edgecolor="none"))
     for p in [p1, p2, p3, p4]:
         plt.setp(p, antialiased=False)
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_scale.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_scale.py
index c9bed31ab4f9..9af3e3059f22 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_scale.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_scale.py
@@ -13,12 +13,12 @@
 
 @check_figures_equal()
 def test_log_scales(fig_test, fig_ref):
-    ax_test = fig_test.add_subplot(122, yscale='log', xscale='symlog')
+    ax_test = fig_test.add_subplot(1, 2, 2, yscale='log', xscale='symlog')
     ax_test.axvline(24.1)
     ax_test.axhline(24.1)
     xlim = ax_test.get_xlim()
     ylim = ax_test.get_ylim()
-    ax_ref = fig_ref.add_subplot(122, yscale='log', xscale='symlog')
+    ax_ref = fig_ref.add_subplot(1, 2, 2, yscale='log', xscale='symlog')
     ax_ref.set(xlim=xlim, ylim=ylim)
     ax_ref.plot([24.1, 24.1], ylim, 'b')
     ax_ref.plot(xlim, [24.1, 24.1], 'b')
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_skew.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_skew.py
index 324d53492b41..36b11f978b0d 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_skew.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_skew.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ def _adjust_location(self):
 # spines and axes instances as appropriate.
 class SkewXAxes(Axes):
     # The projection must specify a name.  This will be used be the
-    # user to select the projection, i.e. ``subplot(111,
+    # user to select the projection, i.e. ``subplot(1, 1, 1,
     # projection='skewx')``.
     name = 'skewx'
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_spines.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_spines.py
index 4be97e2b58d5..1b9fce748108 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_spines.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_spines.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ def test_spines_axes_positions():
     fig = plt.figure()
     x = np.linspace(0, 2*np.pi, 100)
     y = 2*np.sin(x)
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.set_title('centered spines')
     ax.plot(x, y)
     ax.spines['right'].set_position(('axes', 0.1))
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def test_spines_axes_positions():
 @image_comparison(['spines_data_positions'])
 def test_spines_data_positions():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.spines['left'].set_position(('data', -1.5))
     ax.spines['top'].set_position(('data', 0.5))
     ax.spines['right'].set_position(('data', -0.5))
@@ -59,14 +59,14 @@ def test_spines_capstyle():
     # issue 2542
     plt.rc('axes', linewidth=20)
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     ax.set_xticks([])
     ax.set_yticks([])
 
 
 def test_label_without_ticks():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     plt.subplots_adjust(left=0.3, bottom=0.3)
     ax.plot(np.arange(10))
     ax.yaxis.set_ticks_position('left')
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_text.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_text.py
index bfec20c54484..5a1de4825668 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_text.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_text.py
@@ -544,9 +544,9 @@ def test_usetex_is_copied():
     # properties) copies usetex state.
     fig = plt.figure()
     plt.rcParams["text.usetex"] = False
-    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(121)
+    ax1 = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 1)
     plt.rcParams["text.usetex"] = True
-    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(122)
+    ax2 = fig.add_subplot(1, 2, 2)
     fig.canvas.draw()
     for ax, usetex in [(ax1, False), (ax2, True)]:
         for t in ax.xaxis.majorTicks:
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_tightlayout.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_tightlayout.py
index c73992c38c6d..711fe1598331 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_tightlayout.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_tightlayout.py
@@ -41,9 +41,9 @@ def test_tight_layout2():
 @image_comparison(['tight_layout3'])
 def test_tight_layout3():
     """Test tight_layout for multiple subplots."""
-    ax1 = plt.subplot(221)
-    ax2 = plt.subplot(223)
-    ax3 = plt.subplot(122)
+    ax1 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 1)
+    ax2 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 3)
+    ax3 = plt.subplot(1, 2, 2)
     example_plot(ax1)
     example_plot(ax2)
     example_plot(ax3)
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def test_tight_layout4():
 @image_comparison(['tight_layout5'])
 def test_tight_layout5():
     """Test tight_layout for image."""
-    ax = plt.subplot(111)
+    ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1)
     arr = np.arange(100).reshape((10, 10))
     ax.imshow(arr, interpolation="none")
     plt.tight_layout()
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ def test_tight_layout8():
     """Test automatic use of tight_layout."""
     fig = plt.figure()
     fig.set_tight_layout({'pad': .1})
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     example_plot(ax, fontsize=24)
 
 
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ def test_tight_layout9():
 def test_outward_ticks():
     """Test automatic use of tight_layout."""
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(221)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 1)
     ax.xaxis.set_tick_params(tickdir='out', length=16, width=3)
     ax.yaxis.set_tick_params(tickdir='out', length=16, width=3)
     ax.xaxis.set_tick_params(
@@ -159,13 +159,13 @@ def test_outward_ticks():
         tickdir='out', length=32, width=3, tick1On=True, which='minor')
     ax.xaxis.set_ticks([0], minor=True)
     ax.yaxis.set_ticks([0], minor=True)
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(222)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 2)
     ax.xaxis.set_tick_params(tickdir='in', length=32, width=3)
     ax.yaxis.set_tick_params(tickdir='in', length=32, width=3)
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(223)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 3)
     ax.xaxis.set_tick_params(tickdir='inout', length=32, width=3)
     ax.yaxis.set_tick_params(tickdir='inout', length=32, width=3)
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(224)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 4)
     ax.xaxis.set_tick_params(tickdir='out', length=32, width=3)
     ax.yaxis.set_tick_params(tickdir='out', length=32, width=3)
     plt.tight_layout()
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_triangulation.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_triangulation.py
index 6eeafeae2f78..a9887397e03f 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_triangulation.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_triangulation.py
@@ -168,11 +168,11 @@ def test_tripcolor():
     ymid = y[triang.triangles].mean(axis=1)
     Cfaces = 0.5*xmid + ymid
 
-    plt.subplot(121)
+    plt.subplot(1, 2, 1)
     plt.tripcolor(triang, Cpoints, edgecolors='k')
     plt.title('point colors')
 
-    plt.subplot(122)
+    plt.subplot(1, 2, 2)
     plt.tripcolor(triang, facecolors=Cfaces, edgecolors='k')
     plt.title('facecolors')
 
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_usetex.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_usetex.py
index 8fccfe4a18b9..c81fcd99ba3e 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_usetex.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_usetex.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 def test_usetex():
     mpl.rcParams['text.usetex'] = True
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot()
     kwargs = {"verticalalignment": "baseline", "size": 24,
               "bbox": dict(pad=0, edgecolor="k", facecolor="none")}
     ax.text(0.2, 0.7,
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py b/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
index cea3e3f03057..bacb0a153ab2 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/widgets.py
@@ -2395,7 +2395,7 @@ class LassoSelector(_SelectorWidget):
 
     Example usage::
 
-        ax = subplot(111)
+        ax = subplot(1, 1, 1)
         ax.plot(x, y)
 
         def onselect(verts):
diff --git a/lib/mpl_toolkits/tests/test_axes_grid1.py b/lib/mpl_toolkits/tests/test_axes_grid1.py
index e11a254069c1..c5b948906d79 100644
--- a/lib/mpl_toolkits/tests/test_axes_grid1.py
+++ b/lib/mpl_toolkits/tests/test_axes_grid1.py
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ def on_pick(event):
     if "gca" in rectangles_on_axes:
         axes["gca"] = plt.gca()
     if "host" in rectangles_on_axes or "parasite" in rectangles_on_axes:
-        axes["host"] = host_subplot(111)
+        axes["host"] = host_subplot(1, 1, 1)
         axes["parasite"] = axes["host"].twin()
     # Add rectangles to axes
     axes[big_on_axes].add_patch(big)
diff --git a/lib/mpl_toolkits/tests/test_mplot3d.py b/lib/mpl_toolkits/tests/test_mplot3d.py
index 25bc6356a25e..97d34a2445c0 100644
--- a/lib/mpl_toolkits/tests/test_mplot3d.py
+++ b/lib/mpl_toolkits/tests/test_mplot3d.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
 def test_aspect_equal_error():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     with pytest.raises(NotImplementedError):
         ax.set_aspect('equal')
 
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def test_aspect_equal_error():
 @mpl3d_image_comparison(['bar3d.png'])
 def test_bar3d():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     for c, z in zip(['r', 'g', 'b', 'y'], [30, 20, 10, 0]):
         xs = np.arange(20)
         ys = np.arange(20)
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ def test_bar3d_shaded():
 @mpl3d_image_comparison(['bar3d_notshaded.png'])
 def test_bar3d_notshaded():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     x = np.arange(4)
     y = np.arange(5)
     x2d, y2d = np.meshgrid(x, y)
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ def test_tight_layout_text(fig_test, fig_ref):
 @mpl3d_image_comparison(['scatter3d.png'])
 def test_scatter3d():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     ax.scatter(np.arange(10), np.arange(10), np.arange(10),
                c='r', marker='o')
     x = y = z = np.arange(10, 20)
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ def test_scatter3d():
 @mpl3d_image_comparison(['scatter3d_color.png'])
 def test_scatter3d_color():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     ax.scatter(np.arange(10), np.arange(10), np.arange(10),
                color='r', marker='o')
     ax.scatter(np.arange(10, 20), np.arange(10, 20), np.arange(10, 20),
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ def test_scatter3d_color():
 @mpl3d_image_comparison(['plot_3d_from_2d.png'], tol=0.01)
 def test_plot_3d_from_2d():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     xs = np.arange(0, 5)
     ys = np.arange(5, 10)
     ax.plot(xs, ys, zs=0, zdir='x')
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ def test_trisurf3d_shaded():
 @mpl3d_image_comparison(['wireframe3d.png'])
 def test_wireframe3d():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     X, Y, Z = axes3d.get_test_data(0.05)
     ax.plot_wireframe(X, Y, Z, rcount=13, ccount=13)
 
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ def test_wireframe3d():
 @mpl3d_image_comparison(['wireframe3dzerocstride.png'])
 def test_wireframe3dzerocstride():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     X, Y, Z = axes3d.get_test_data(0.05)
     ax.plot_wireframe(X, Y, Z, rcount=13, ccount=0)
 
@@ -348,14 +348,14 @@ def test_wireframe3dzerocstride():
 @mpl3d_image_comparison(['wireframe3dzerorstride.png'])
 def test_wireframe3dzerorstride():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     X, Y, Z = axes3d.get_test_data(0.05)
     ax.plot_wireframe(X, Y, Z, rstride=0, cstride=10)
 
 
 def test_wireframe3dzerostrideraises():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     X, Y, Z = axes3d.get_test_data(0.05)
     with pytest.raises(ValueError):
         ax.plot_wireframe(X, Y, Z, rstride=0, cstride=0)
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ def test_wireframe3dzerostrideraises():
 
 def test_mixedsamplesraises():
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     X, Y, Z = axes3d.get_test_data(0.05)
     with pytest.raises(ValueError):
         ax.plot_wireframe(X, Y, Z, rstride=10, ccount=50)
@@ -663,7 +663,7 @@ def test_axes3d_ortho():
 def test_invalid_axes_limits(setter, side, value):
     limit = {side: value}
     fig = plt.figure()
-    obj = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    obj = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     with pytest.raises(ValueError):
         getattr(obj, setter)(**limit)
 
@@ -794,7 +794,7 @@ def test_line3d_set_get_data_3d():
     x, y, z = [0, 1], [2, 3], [4, 5]
     x2, y2, z2 = [6, 7], [8, 9], [10, 11]
     fig = plt.figure()
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
     lines = ax.plot(x, y, z)
     line = lines[0]
     np.testing.assert_array_equal((x, y, z), line.get_data_3d())
diff --git a/tools/memleak.py b/tools/memleak.py
index 97bb8adae386..9e683da8ad56 100755
--- a/tools/memleak.py
+++ b/tools/memleak.py
@@ -92,18 +92,18 @@ def __call__(self):
             y2 = np.random.rand(len(t1))
             X = np.random.rand(50, 50)
 
-            ax = fig.add_subplot(221)
+            ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 1)
             ax.plot(t1, y1, '-')
             ax.plot(t1, y2, 's')
 
-            ax = fig.add_subplot(222)
+            ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 2)
             ax.imshow(X)
 
-            ax = fig.add_subplot(223)
+            ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 3)
             ax.scatter(np.random.rand(50), np.random.rand(50),
                        s=100 * np.random.rand(50), c=np.random.rand(50))
 
-            ax = fig.add_subplot(224)
+            ax = fig.add_subplot(2, 2, 4)
             ax.pcolor(10 * np.random.rand(50, 50))
 
         fig.savefig(BytesIO(), dpi=75)
diff --git a/tutorials/advanced/transforms_tutorial.py b/tutorials/advanced/transforms_tutorial.py
index fa52442b59b9..d53e53857f8a 100644
--- a/tutorials/advanced/transforms_tutorial.py
+++ b/tutorials/advanced/transforms_tutorial.py
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@
 #
 # .. sourcecode:: ipython
 #
-#     In [80]: ax = subplot(111)
+#     In [80]: ax = subplot(1, 1, 1)
 #
 #     In [81]: ax.set_xlim(0, 10)
 #     Out[81]: (0, 10)
diff --git a/tutorials/intermediate/artists.py b/tutorials/intermediate/artists.py
index e136940c8320..fcba0ee777d6 100644
--- a/tutorials/intermediate/artists.py
+++ b/tutorials/intermediate/artists.py
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class in the matplotlib API, and the one you will be working with most
 
 fig = plt.figure()
 fig.subplots_adjust(top=0.8)
-ax1 = fig.add_subplot(211)
+ax1 = fig.add_subplot(2, 1, 1)
 ax1.set_ylabel('volts')
 ax1.set_title('a sine wave')
 
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ class in the matplotlib API, and the one you will be working with most
 #
 #     In [156]: fig = plt.figure()
 #
-#     In [157]: ax1 = fig.add_subplot(211)
+#     In [157]: ax1 = fig.add_subplot(2, 1, 1)
 #
 #     In [158]: ax2 = fig.add_axes([0.1, 0.1, 0.7, 0.3])
 #
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ class in the matplotlib API, and the one you will be working with most
 # :class:`~matplotlib.patches.Circle` for polar coordinates; this patch
 # determines the shape, background and border of the plotting region::
 #
-#     ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+#     ax = fig.add_subplot()
 #     rect = ax.patch  # a Rectangle instance
 #     rect.set_facecolor('green')
 #
diff --git a/tutorials/intermediate/constrainedlayout_guide.py b/tutorials/intermediate/constrainedlayout_guide.py
index aa6398846843..e77e72e2a3f5 100644
--- a/tutorials/intermediate/constrainedlayout_guide.py
+++ b/tutorials/intermediate/constrainedlayout_guide.py
@@ -499,9 +499,9 @@ def docomplicated(suptitle=None):
 
 fig = plt.figure()
 
-ax1 = plt.subplot(221)
-ax2 = plt.subplot(223)
-ax3 = plt.subplot(122)
+ax1 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 1)
+ax2 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 3)
+ax3 = plt.subplot(1, 2, 2)
 
 example_plot(ax1)
 example_plot(ax2)
diff --git a/tutorials/intermediate/legend_guide.py b/tutorials/intermediate/legend_guide.py
index 82b98f0ec053..038b7755b271 100644
--- a/tutorials/intermediate/legend_guide.py
+++ b/tutorials/intermediate/legend_guide.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@
 #
 # More examples of custom legend placement:
 
-plt.subplot(211)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
 plt.plot([1, 2, 3], label="test1")
 plt.plot([3, 2, 1], label="test2")
 
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@
 plt.legend(bbox_to_anchor=(0., 1.02, 1., .102), loc='lower left',
            ncol=2, mode="expand", borderaxespad=0.)
 
-plt.subplot(223)
+plt.subplot(2, 2, 3)
 plt.plot([1, 2, 3], label="test1")
 plt.plot([3, 2, 1], label="test2")
 # Place a legend to the right of this smaller subplot.
diff --git a/tutorials/intermediate/tight_layout_guide.py b/tutorials/intermediate/tight_layout_guide.py
index befd70d48d6a..68b9659d98d7 100644
--- a/tutorials/intermediate/tight_layout_guide.py
+++ b/tutorials/intermediate/tight_layout_guide.py
@@ -104,9 +104,9 @@ def example_plot(ax, fontsize=12):
 plt.close('all')
 fig = plt.figure()
 
-ax1 = plt.subplot(221)
-ax2 = plt.subplot(223)
-ax3 = plt.subplot(122)
+ax1 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 1)
+ax2 = plt.subplot(2, 2, 3)
+ax3 = plt.subplot(1, 2, 2)
 
 example_plot(ax1)
 example_plot(ax2)
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ def example_plot(ax, fontsize=12):
 plt.close('all')
 fig = plt.figure(figsize=(5, 4))
 
-ax = plt.subplot(111)
+ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1)
 im = ax.imshow(arr, interpolation="none")
 
 plt.tight_layout()
diff --git a/tutorials/introductory/pyplot.py b/tutorials/introductory/pyplot.py
index d9880e83ea8f..08c3ed75fe43 100644
--- a/tutorials/introductory/pyplot.py
+++ b/tutorials/introductory/pyplot.py
@@ -131,11 +131,11 @@
 
 plt.figure(figsize=(9, 3))
 
-plt.subplot(131)
+plt.subplot(1, 3, 1)
 plt.bar(names, values)
-plt.subplot(132)
+plt.subplot(1, 3, 2)
 plt.scatter(names, values)
-plt.subplot(133)
+plt.subplot(1, 3, 3)
 plt.plot(names, values)
 plt.suptitle('Categorical Plotting')
 plt.show()
@@ -250,21 +250,21 @@ def f(t):
 t2 = np.arange(0.0, 5.0, 0.02)
 
 plt.figure()
-plt.subplot(211)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)
 plt.plot(t1, f(t1), 'bo', t2, f(t2), 'k')
 
-plt.subplot(212)
+plt.subplot(2, 1, 2)
 plt.plot(t2, np.cos(2*np.pi*t2), 'r--')
 plt.show()
 
 ###############################################################################
 # The `~.pyplot.figure` call here is optional because
-# ``figure(1)`` will be created by default, just as a ``subplot(111)``
+# ``figure(1)`` will be created by default, just as a ``subplot(1, 1, 1)``
 # will be created by default if you don't manually specify any axes.  The
 # `~.pyplot.subplot` call specifies ``numrows,
 # numcols, plot_number`` where ``plot_number`` ranges from 1 to
 # ``numrows*numcols``.  The commas in the ``subplot`` call are
-# optional if ``numrows*numcols<10``.  So ``subplot(211)`` is identical
+# optional if ``numrows*numcols<10``.  So ``subplot(2, 1, 1)`` is identical
 # to ``subplot(2, 1, 1)``.
 #
 # You can create an arbitrary number of subplots
@@ -284,17 +284,17 @@ def f(t):
 #
 #     import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 #     plt.figure(1)                # the first figure
-#     plt.subplot(211)             # the first subplot in the first figure
+#     plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)             # the first subplot in the first figure
 #     plt.plot([1, 2, 3])
-#     plt.subplot(212)             # the second subplot in the first figure
+#     plt.subplot(2, 1, 2)             # the second subplot in the first figure
 #     plt.plot([4, 5, 6])
 #
 #
 #     plt.figure(2)                # a second figure
-#     plt.plot([4, 5, 6])          # creates a subplot(111) by default
+#     plt.plot([4, 5, 6])          # creates a subplot(1, 1, 1) by default
 #
-#     plt.figure(1)                # figure 1 current; subplot(212) still current
-#     plt.subplot(211)             # make subplot(211) in figure1 current
+#     plt.figure(1)                # figure 1 current; subplot(2, 1, 2) still current
+#     plt.subplot(2, 1, 1)             # make subplot(2, 1, 1) in figure1 current
 #     plt.title('Easy as 1, 2, 3') # subplot 211 title
 #
 # You can clear the current figure with `~.pyplot.clf`
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ def f(t):
 # the argument ``xy`` and the location of the text ``xytext``.  Both of
 # these arguments are ``(x, y)`` tuples.
 
-ax = plt.subplot(111)
+ax = plt.subplot(1, 1, 1)
 
 t = np.arange(0.0, 5.0, 0.01)
 s = np.cos(2*np.pi*t)
@@ -427,28 +427,28 @@ def f(t):
 plt.figure()
 
 # linear
-plt.subplot(221)
+plt.subplot(2, 2, 1)
 plt.plot(x, y)
 plt.yscale('linear')
 plt.title('linear')
 plt.grid(True)
 
 # log
-plt.subplot(222)
+plt.subplot(2, 2, 2)
 plt.plot(x, y)
 plt.yscale('log')
 plt.title('log')
 plt.grid(True)
 
 # symmetric log
-plt.subplot(223)
+plt.subplot(2, 2, 3)
 plt.plot(x, y - y.mean())
 plt.yscale('symlog', linthresh=0.01)
 plt.title('symlog')
 plt.grid(True)
 
 # logit
-plt.subplot(224)
+plt.subplot(2, 2, 4)
 plt.plot(x, y)
 plt.yscale('logit')
 plt.title('logit')
diff --git a/tutorials/text/annotations.py b/tutorials/text/annotations.py
index aeada6ea1c9c..fcbf495dfc5c 100644
--- a/tutorials/text/annotations.py
+++ b/tutorials/text/annotations.py
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@
 
    This allows annotating a point in another axes::
 
-     ax1, ax2 = subplot(121), subplot(122)
+     ax1, ax2 = subplot(1, 2, 1), subplot(1, 2, 2)
      ax2.annotate("Test", xy=(0.5, 0.5), xycoords=ax1.transData,
                   xytext=(0.5, 0.5), textcoords=ax2.transData,
                   arrowprops=dict(arrowstyle="->"))
diff --git a/tutorials/text/text_intro.py b/tutorials/text/text_intro.py
index e5592336d0d8..960d16bab38b 100644
--- a/tutorials/text/text_intro.py
+++ b/tutorials/text/text_intro.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 
 fig = plt.figure()
-ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
+ax = fig.add_subplot()
 fig.subplots_adjust(top=0.85)
 
 # Set titles for the figure and the subplot respectively
diff --git a/tutorials/toolkits/axes_grid.py b/tutorials/toolkits/axes_grid.py
index e78a38313838..387d86bb8eec 100644
--- a/tutorials/toolkits/axes_grid.py
+++ b/tutorials/toolkits/axes_grid.py
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@
 The :doc:`/gallery/lines_bars_and_markers/scatter_hist` example can be
 rewritten using `~.axes_grid1.axes_divider.make_axes_locatable`::
 
-    axScatter = subplot(111)
+    axScatter = subplot(1, 1, 1)
     axScatter.scatter(x, y)
     axScatter.set_aspect(1.)
 
diff --git a/tutorials/toolkits/axisartist.py b/tutorials/toolkits/axisartist.py
index 9c6b658177f0..12ca1cc34a3f 100644
--- a/tutorials/toolkits/axisartist.py
+++ b/tutorials/toolkits/axisartist.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@
   import mpl_toolkits.axisartist as AA
   from mpl_toolkits.axes_grid1 import host_subplot
 
-  host = host_subplot(111, axes_class=AA.Axes)
+  host = host_subplot(1, 1, 1, axes_class=AA.Axes)
 
 Here is an example that uses ParasiteAxes.
 
diff --git a/tutorials/toolkits/mplot3d.py b/tutorials/toolkits/mplot3d.py
index 56f0edaf5a8b..546071c503f8 100644
--- a/tutorials/toolkits/mplot3d.py
+++ b/tutorials/toolkits/mplot3d.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
    fig = plt.figure()
-   ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection='3d')
+   ax = fig.add_subplot(1, 1, 1, projection='3d')
 
 .. versionchanged:: 1.0.0
    Prior to Matplotlib 1.0.0, `.Axes3D` needed to be directly instantiated with