Pie and bar graphs are two different types of graphs that display numerical data. Both types of graphs have their pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the right one for your data.
A pie chart is a circular chart divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportion.
Pie charts are used to show proportions of a whole. They’re most effective when dividing data into only two or three categories, but can also be used with more than four pieces if the labels are small enough to fit in the center of each sector.
Pie charts are best for showing percentage increases or decreases over time; however, they don’t do well with large numbers since it’s difficult to see how much one slice represents in relation to another.
A bar chart is a rectangular chart that illustrates numerical data by displaying the height of bars, which are typically horizontal but may be vertical.
A bar chart is a rectangular chart that illustrates numerical data by displaying the height of bars, which are typically horizontal but may be vertical. Bar charts are best for comparing numbers over time, or grouped into categories or classes. For example, you might use a bar graph to show sales figures for each month of the year in your business’s annual report.
Bar graphs can also be used to show the number of items in each category (for example: how many cars were sold by make) – but it’s important not to confuse this kind of bar graph with one showing proportions like “percentage increase/decrease”.
Pie charts are often used to represent percentages.
Pie charts are often used to represent percentages. Pie charts show the proportion of each item in a total. Bar graphs, on the other hand, show how much something has changed over time or space.
Bar graphs are best for comparing numbers over time, or grouped into categories or classes.
Bar graphs are best for comparing numbers over time, or grouped into categories or classes. For example, you may want to compare how many salespeople were hired in each month of the year. Pie charts are best for representing percentages. If you’re trying to show how much of your total revenue came from each product line, then a pie chart would be most effective.
Pie charts work well with only two or three categories or classes of data.
If your data has more than three categories, use a bar graph. Pie charts work well with only two or three categories or classes of data. If there are four or more categories, then a bar graph is preferred because it will be easier for readers to compare the size of each slice (or bar) in relation to other slices (or bars).
Here’s an example:
You can use either type of graph, but it’s important to choose the right one for your data
If you have only two or three categories, use a pie chart. For example, if you want to show how much money each department spent on supplies last year (and no other information), then a pie chart would be appropriate.
If your data is grouped into classes or categories (for example, all employees are categorized by their job title), then use a bar graph. For example, if we wanted to show how many people work in each department at our company and what percentage of total company revenue they generate through sales commissions, then we would create this type of graph:
We hope you’re feeling more confident about choosing the right type of graph for your data. Remember that it’s important to choose the right type of graph for your data and use it correctly. If you have any questions about which type of graph might be best for your project, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
