Deviation Correlation Ranking Distribution Change over Time Part-to-whole Magnitude Spatial Flow

Emphasise variations (+/-) from a
fixed reference point. Typically the
reference point is zero but it can also
be a target or a long-term average.
Can also be used to show sentiment
(positive/neutral/negative).
Example FT uses
Trade surplus/deficit, climate change
Show the relationship between two or
more variables. Be mindful that, unless
you tell them otherwise, many readers
will assume the relationships you
show them to be causal (i.e. one
causes the other).
Example FT uses
Inflation & unemployment, income &
life expectancy
Use where an item’s position in an
ordered list is more important than its
absolute or relative value. Don’t be
afraid to highlight the points of
interest.
Example FT uses
Wealth, deprivation, league tables,
constituency election results
Show values in a dataset and how
often they occur. The shape (or ‘skew’)
of a distribution can be a memorable
way of highlighting the lack of
uniformity or equality in the data.
Example FT uses
Income distribution, population
(age/sex) distribution
Give emphasis to changing trends.
These can be short (intra-day)
movements or extended series
traversing decades or centuries:
Choosing the correct time period is
important to provide suitable context
for the reader.
Example FT uses
Share price movements, economic
time series
Show how a single entity can be
broken down into its component
elements. If the reader’s interest is
solely in the size of the components,
consider a magnitude-type chart
instead.
Example FT uses
Fiscal budgets, company structures,
national election results
Show size comparisons. These can be
relative (just being able to see
larger/bigger) or absolute (need to
see fine differences). Usually these
show a ‘counted’ number (for example,
barrels, dollars or people) rather than
a calculated rate or per cent.
Example FT uses
Commodity production, market
capitalisation
Used only when precise locations or
geographical patterns in data are
more important to the reader than
anything else.
Example FT uses
Locator maps, population density,
natural resource locations, natural
disaster risk/impact, catchment areas,
variation in election results
Show the reader volumes or intensity
of movement between two or more
states or conditions. These might be
logical sequences or geographical
locations.
Example FT uses
Movement of funds, trade, migrants,
lawsuits, information; relationship
graphs.

Diverging bar Scatterplot Ordered bar Histogram Line Stacked column Column Basic choropleth (rate/ratio) Sankey
A simple standard The standard way to Standard bar charts The standard way to The standard way to A simple way of The standard way to The standard approach Shows changes in flows
bar chart that can show the relationship display the ranks of show a statistical show a changing time showing part-to-whole compare the size of for putting data on a from one condition to
handle both negative between two values much more distribution - keep the series. If data are relationships but can things. Must always map – should always be at least one other; good
and positive continuous variables, easily when sorted gaps between columns irregular, consider be difficult to read with start at 0 on the axis. rates rather than totals for tracing the eventual
magnitude values. each of which has its into order. small to highlight the markers to represent more than a few and use a sensible base outcome of a complex
own axis. ‘shape’ of the data. data points. components. geography. process.

Diverging stacked bar Line + Column Ordered column Boxplot Column Proportional stacked bar Bar Proportional symbol (count/magnitde) Waterfall
Perfect for A good way of See above. Summarise multiple Columns work well A good way of See above. Good Use for totals rather Designed to show the
presenting survey showing the distributions by for showing change showing the size and when the data are not than rates – be wary sequencing of data
results which involve relationship between showing the median over time - but proportion of data at time series and labels that small differences through a flow
sentiment (eg an amount (columns) (centre) and range of usually best with only the same time – as have long category in data will be hard to process, typically
disagree/neutral/ and a rate (line). the data one series of data at long as the data are names. see. budgets. Can include
agree). a time. not too complicated. +/- components.

Spine chart Connected scatterplot Ordered proportional symbol Violin plot Line + column Pie Paired column Flow map Chord
Splits a single value Usually used to show Use when there are big Similar to a box plot A good way of A common way of As per standard For showing A complex but
into 2 contrasting how the relationship variations between but more effective with showing the showing part-to-whole column but allows for unambiguous powerful diagram
components (eg between 2 variables values and/or seeing complex distributions relationship over time data – but be aware multiple series. Can movement across a which can illustrate
Male/Female). has changed over fine differences (data that cannot be between an amount that it’s difficult to become tricky to read map. 2-way flows (and net
time. between data is not so summarised with (columns) and a rate accurately compare the with more than 2 winner) in a matrix.
important. simple average). (line). size of the segments. series.

Surplus/deficit filled line Bubble Dot strip plot Population pyramid Stock price Donut Paired bar Contour map Network
The shaded area of Like a scatterplot, but Dots placed in order A standard way for Usually focused on Similar to a pie chart – See above. For showing areas of Used for showing
these charts allows a adds additional detail on a strip are a showing the age and day-to-day activity, but the centre can be equal value on a map. the strength and
balance to be shown by sizing the circles space-efficient sex breakdown of a these charts show a good way of making Can use deviation inter-connectdness
– either against a according to a third method of laying out population distribution; opening/closing and space to include more colour schemes for of relationships of
baseline or between variable. ranks across multiple effectively, back to back hi/low points of each information about the showing +/- values varying types.
two series. categories. histograms. day. data (eg. total).

XY heatmap Slope Dot strip plot Slope Treemap Proportional stacked bar Equalised cartogram
A good way of showing Perfect for showing Good for showing Good for showing Use for hierarchical A good way of Converting each unit on
the patterns between 2 how ranks have individual values in a changing data as long part-to-whole showing the size and a map to a regular and
categories of data, less changed over time or distribution, can be a as the data can be relationships; can be proportion of data at equally-sized shape –
good at showing fine vary between problem when too simplified into 2 or 3 difficult to read when the same time – as good for representing
differences in amounts. categories. many dots have the points without missing there are many small long as the data are voting regions with
same value. a key part of story. segments. not too complicated. equal value.
Lollipop chart Dot plot Area chart Scaled cartogram (value)
Voronoi Proportional symbol
Lollipops draw more A simple way of Use with care – these Stretching and
attention to the data showing the change are good at showing A way of turning Use when there are
shrinking a map so
value than standard or range (min/max) changes to total, but points into areas – big variations between
that each area is
bar/column and can of data across seeing change in any point within each values and/or seeing
sized according to a
also show rank and multiple categories. components can be area is closer to the fine differences
particular value.
value effectively. very difficult. central point than between data is not so
any other centroid. important.

Barcode plot Fan chart (projections) Sunburst Isotype (pictogram) Dot density
Like dot strip plots, Use to show the Another way of Excellent solution in Used to show the
good for displaying uncertainty in future visualisaing hierarchical some instances – use location of individual
all the data in a projections - usually part-to-whole only with whole events/locations –
table,they work best this grows the further relationships. Use numbers (do not slice make sure to annotate
when highlighting forward to projection. sparingly (if at all) for off an arm to any patterns the
individual values. obvious reasons. represent a decimal). reader should see.

Cumulative curve Connected scatterplot Arc Lollipop chart Heat map

A good way of A good way of A hemicycle, often Lollipop charts draw Grid-based data values
showing how unequal showing changing used for visualising more attention to the mapped with an
a distribution is: y axis data for two variables political results in data value than intensity colour scale.
is always cumulative whenever there is a parliaments. standard bar/column – As choropleth map –
frequency, x axis is relatively clear pattern does not HAVE to start but not snapped to an
always a measure. of progression. at zero (but preferable). admin/political unit.

Visual
Calendar heatmap Gridplot Radar chart
A great way of Good for showing % A space-efficient way
showing temporal information, they of showing value pf
patterns (daily, weekly, work best when used multiple variables– but
monthly) – at the on whole numbers make sure they are
expense of showing and work well in organised in a way that
precision in quantity. multiple layout form. makes sense to reader.

vocabulary
Priestley timeline Venn Parallel coordinates
Great when date and Generally only used An alternative to radar
duration are key for schematic charts – again, the
elements of the story representation. arrngement of the
in the data. variables is important.
Usually benefits from
highlighting values.

Circle timeline Waterfall

Good for showing Can be useful for
Designing with data discrete values of showing part-to-whole
varying size across relationships where
multiple categories some of the
(eg earthquakes by components are
There are so many ways to visualise data - how do we contintent). negative.
know which one to pick? Use the categories across the
Seismogram
top to decide which data relationship is most important in Another alternative
your story, then look at the different types of chart within to the circle timeline
for showing series
the category to form some initial ideas about what might where there are big
variations in the data.
work best. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, nor a
wizard, but is a useful starting point for making
informative and meaningful data visualisations.
FT graphic: Alan Smith; Chris Campbell; Ian Bott; Liz Faunce;
Graham Parrish; Billy Ehrenberg; Paul McCallum; Martin Stabe
Inspired by the Graphic Continuum by Jon Schwabish and Severino Ribecca

ft.com/vocabulary