Most common types of charts and graphs to help communicate data with impact

1. Bar chart

A bar chart, also known as a horizontal column chart, is popular for a reason — it’s easy on the
eyes. With bar charts, you can quickly identify which bar is the highest or the lowest, including the
incremental differences between bars. 

When to use bar charts: 

 If you have more than 10 items or categories to compare

 If your category labels or names are long

Best practices for bar charts: 

 Focus on one color for bar charts. Accent colors are ideal if you want to highlight a
significant data point. 
 Bars should be wider than the white space between bars. 
 Write labels horizontally (not vertically) for better readability. 
 Order categories alphabetically or by value to ensure consistency. 

2. Line chart

Use a line chart to plot continuous data or data with infinite value.  For example, the line chart
below highlights the increase of keyword searches for “remote work” across the US from February
1, 2020 to March 22, 2020. 

When to use line charts: 

 Compare and present lots of data at once

 Show trends or progress over time
 Highlight deceleration 
 Present forecast data and share uncertainty

Best practices for line charts: 

 Use solid lines only because dotted or dashed lines are distracting. 
 Ensure that points are ordered consistently 
 Label lines directly and avoid using legends. 
 Don’t chart more than four lines to avoid visual distractions.
 Zero baseline is not required, but it is recommended.

3. Area graph
An area graph is like a line chart as it also shows changes over time. One difference is that area
graphs can represent volume which is typically filled with color. 

When to use area graphs: 

 Display how values or multiple values develop over time

 Highlight the magnitude of a change
 Show large differences between values

Best practices for area graphs: 

 Don’t display more than four categories.

 Use transparent colors to avoid obscuring data in the background.
 Add annotations and explanations to your graphs.
 Group tiny values together into one bigger value to prevent clutter.

4. Scatter plot 

A scatter plot or a scatter chart helps show the relationship between items based on two different
variables. Dots are plotted in an x-y coordinate system. In some cases, a trend line is added (like
in the example below) to a scatter plot. 

When to use scatter plots: 

 Show relationships between two variables

 You have two variables of data that complement each other 

Best practices for scatter plots: 

 Start the y-axis value at zero to represent data accurately.

 Plot additional data variables by changing dot sizes and colors.
 Highlight with color and annotations.

5. Pie chart

A pie chart highlights data and statistics in pie-slice format. This type of chart represents numbers
in percentages, and the total sum of all pies should equal 100 percent. Pie charts are most
impactful to your audience if you have a small data set. 

When to use pie charts

 Illustrate part-to-whole comparisons  — from business graphs to classroom charts

 Identify the smallest and largest items within a data set
 Compare differences between multiple data points 
Best practices for pie charts: 

 Limit categories to 3-5  to ensure differentiation with the slices. 

 Double-check if the total value of the slices is equal to 100 percent.
 Group similar slices together in one bigger slice to reduce clutter. 
 Make your most important slice stand out with color. Use shades of that specific color to
highlight the rest of the slices. 
 Order slices thoughtfully. For example, you can place the largest section at the 12 o’clock
position and go clockwise from there. Or place the second largest section at the 12 o’clock
position and go counterclockwise from there. 

6. Pictograph 

A pictograph or a pictogram is a type of chart that uses pictures or icons to represent data. Each
icon stands for a certain number of units or objects.

When to use pictographs: 

 When your target audience prefers icons and pictures 

 Show progress of a goal or project
 Highlight ratings 
 Share survey results 
 Share level of proficiency 

Best practices for pictographs: 

 Keep your icons and pictures simple to avoid distracting your audience.
 Do not use contrasting colors for your icons. Instead, use shades of one specific color.
 Limit rows to 5 or 10 for better readability.

7. Column chart 

A column chart is ideal for presenting chronological data.  Also known as the vertical bar chart, this
type of chart works if there are only a few dates to highlight your data set

When to use column charts: 

 Display comparison between categories or things

 Show the situation at one point in time
 Share relatively large differences in your data values 

Best practices for column charts: 

 Plot bars against a zero-value baseline.

 Keep your bars rectangular and avoid 3D effects in your bars.
 Order category levels consistently: from highest to lowest or lowest to highest.