Visualizing these numbers in a line chart allows businesses to more easily spot trends and patterns and perhaps even make forecasts for the future. They are best used to show how a change in one number relates to changes in another.Ī line chart is a go-to solution if you need to communicate how numbers have changed over time.įor example, a line chart could be used to describe how revenue has changed from quarter to quarter, or how employee satisfaction has varied from year to year. Line charts (line graphs) are almost as common as bar charts, but they are useful for more specific scenarios. Return to Table of Contents Line chart (or line graph) They are easy to read and flexible enough to work well for most cases.įor more details on bar graphs, column graphs or stacked bar graphs, read our guide: What is a Bar Chart and 20+ Bar Chart Templates When in doubt, a bar chart is likely the best option for visualizing data, not despite its simplicity but because of its simplicity. Or you can use a stacked bar chart, if you have only a couple of values to compare: Sometimes businesses want to make multiple comparisons at once, and in this case you can either show a series of bar charts: The chart above is also known as a histogram, for it shows how amounts are distributed across a range, in this case of ages. Sometimes they look like vertical columns (hence the name column charts):Īnd sometimes they look like horizontal bars: These charts are also incredibly versatile. These charts help people see and compare differences in values or amounts, so they are perfect for analyzing and explaining the number of customers, sales, revenue, and more. If you’re working with numeric or quantitative data, a bar chart is often the best chart to use. For more examples of other types of charts, visit our post: How to Choose the Best Types of Charts for Your Data Bar or column chartīar charts are the most common chart types we see, and that’s because they are so easy to read and understand. Note that we’re listing only 11 types since they’re the most common ones for businesses. Keep reading to learn more about different types of charts and the purposes of each. They are used to explain rather than represent.įor example, flowcharts, Gantt charts, and organization charts are also diagrams. Diagrams are more symbolic, they use the arrangement of visual elements to show relationships. Some charts are diagrams that describe information that is not quantifiable. We’ve used a Venn diagram to describe what charts and graphs have in common and how they’re different from each other. This Venn diagram explores in more detail the difference between graphs and charts:ĬREATE THIS CHART TEMPLATE Diagram versus chart Line charts, bar charts, and pie charts are good examples of this. Graphs are often used to show large or complex data sets or long-term data trends.Ĭharts can be numeric, in which case they may also be graphs. Graphs are more mathematical, with numeric data plotted on two axes, one horizontal (known as the X axis) and the other vertical (known as the Y axis). The words “chart” and “graph” both refer to visual representations of information. Charts versus graphsīar chart or bar graph, line chart or line graph and more-what exactly is the difference between charts and graphs? Knowing the purpose of the chart is critical to selecting the one that will be most effective in achieving that purpose. Because they are visual, they are also easier to remember and can even motivate behaviors, according to research.īecause of this, it’s important to choose the right type of chart that best conveys what is most essential for readers to understand. In either case, the visual is meant to help the reader quickly grasp important insights and ideas. Sometimes charts are based on numeric data and other times they are conceptual models. START CREATING FOR FREE Types of Charts (click to jump ahead):Ī chart is a visual representation of information. Once you’ve learned how to choose the best types of graphs for your business communication needs, you can use Venngage’s Chart Maker to create charts, graphs and start incorporating data visualization into your design-no experience required. In this article, I will draw from my experience as an information designer and share the most common types of charts and when to use each. There are dozens and dozens of chart types, but which one should you use? The short answer is that it depends on the purpose, on what you want to communicate.īecause some types of charts are more familiar to most people than others are, it is wise to use one that others will be able to understand easily and quickly. They can make it easier for these people to remember what matters and take actions that help them achieve their goals. They can help leaders, colleagues, clients, and customers better understand data, insights and ideas. Charts can help businesses in a number of ways.
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