What Chart Should I Use?
Not sure which chart type is right for your data? Answer a few simple questions about your data and goals, and we'll recommend the best chart types from our database of 35+ visualization options. Find the perfect chart to tell your data story effectively.
Find Your Perfect Chart
Use the filters below to narrow down the best chart types for your specific needs. The more questions you answer, the more targeted your recommendations will be.
All Chart Types (41)
Vertical Bar Chart
Bar/ColumnClassic vertical bars comparing values across categories. Great for comparing discrete items.
Best for:
Pros
- Easy to understand
- Great for comparisons
Cons
- Can get crowded with many categories
- Not ideal for trends
Horizontal Bar Chart
Bar/ColumnBars extend horizontally, ideal for long category labels and ranking data.
Best for:
Pros
- Great for long labels
- Easy to read rankings
Cons
- Takes more vertical space
- Less familiar than vertical
Stacked Bar Chart
Bar/ColumnBars divided into segments showing composition within each category.
Best for:
Pros
- Shows totals and parts
- Compact for multiple series
Cons
- Hard to compare middle segments
- Can be confusing with many segments
Grouped Bar Chart
Bar/ColumnMultiple bars side by side for direct comparison between series.
Best for:
Pros
- Easy to compare series
- Clear visual separation
Cons
- Gets crowded quickly
- Limited categories
Diverging Bar Chart
Bar/ColumnBars extend from a central axis, ideal for showing positive/negative values.
Best for:
Pros
- Clear positive/negative distinction
- Great for sentiment data
Cons
- Only works with bipolar data
- Requires meaningful center point
Bar Chart Race
Bar/ColumnAnimated bars that race over time, showing ranking changes dynamically.
Best for:
Pros
- Highly engaging
- Shows ranking changes
Cons
- Requires time-series data
- Can be overwhelming
Lollipop Chart
Bar/ColumnDots connected to baseline with lines, a cleaner alternative to bar charts.
Best for:
Pros
- Less visual clutter
- Modern look
Cons
- Less familiar
- Harder to compare close values
Bullet Chart
Bar/ColumnCompact chart showing actual vs target with qualitative ranges.
Best for:
Pros
- Shows progress vs goal
- Very compact
Cons
- Learning curve for readers
- Not widely known
Line Chart
LineClassic line chart showing trends over time with connected data points.
Best for:
Pros
- Perfect for trends
- Shows continuity
Cons
- Can be misleading at small scale
- Needs continuous data
Multi-Line Chart
LineMultiple lines on one chart comparing trends across different series.
Best for:
Pros
- Compare multiple trends
- Shows relationships
Cons
- Can get cluttered
- Colors need to be distinct
Step Line Chart
LineLine with steps instead of slopes, showing discrete changes.
Best for:
Pros
- Shows exact change points
- No interpolation
Cons
- Looks jagged
- Less smooth visual
Area Chart
LineLine chart with filled area below, emphasizing volume or magnitude.
Best for:
Pros
- Emphasizes magnitude
- Shows cumulative effect
Cons
- Can hide lower values when stacked
- Occlusion with multiple series
Stacked Area Chart
LineMultiple area layers stacked to show composition changes over time.
Best for:
Pros
- Shows total and parts
- Good for portfolios
Cons
- Hard to read middle layers
- Can be misleading
Streamgraph
LineFlowing stacked area chart centered around an axis for organic look.
Best for:
Pros
- Visually striking
- Good for many categories
Cons
- Hard to read exact values
- Unusual for business
Pie Chart
Pie/DonutClassic circular chart showing parts of a whole as slices.
Best for:
Pros
- Instantly shows proportions
- Familiar to everyone
Cons
- Hard to compare similar slices
- Limited to few categories
Donut Chart
Pie/DonutPie chart with hollow center, allowing for center text or icon.
Best for:
Pros
- Center space for info
- Modern aesthetic
Cons
- Same limitations as pie
- Still limited categories
Semi-circle Pie
Pie/DonutHalf-circle pie chart, often used for gauge-like displays.
Best for:
Pros
- Compact
- Good for progress
Cons
- Less familiar
- Limited space
Nested Donut
Pie/DonutMultiple donut rings showing hierarchical or comparative composition.
Best for:
Pros
- Compares multiple wholes
- Compact for comparisons
Cons
- Can be confusing
- Hard to read exact values
Scatter Plot
Scatter/BubblePoints plotted on X-Y axes showing relationship between two variables.
Best for:
Pros
- Shows correlation
- Identifies outliers
Cons
- Needs context
- Can be overwhelming
Bubble Chart
Scatter/BubbleScatter plot where point size represents a third variable.
Best for:
Pros
- Three variables at once
- Intuitive sizing
Cons
- Hard to compare sizes
- Can overlap
Connected Scatter
Scatter/BubbleScatter plot with points connected by lines showing sequence or flow.
Best for:
Pros
- Shows progression
- Combines scatter and line
Cons
- Can be confusing
- Needs sequential data
Histogram
DistributionBars showing frequency distribution of numerical data in bins.
Best for:
Pros
- Shows distribution shape
- Identifies patterns
Cons
- Bin size affects appearance
- Not for categories
Box Plot
DistributionShows data distribution through quartiles, median, and outliers.
Best for:
Pros
- Statistical summary
- Compare distributions
Cons
- Requires statistical knowledge
- Hides raw data
Violin Plot
DistributionCombines box plot with density plot showing distribution shape.
Best for:
Pros
- Shows distribution shape
- More info than box plot
Cons
- Unfamiliar to many
- Needs many data points
Density Plot
DistributionSmooth curve showing probability distribution of values.
Best for:
Pros
- Smooth visualization
- Compare distributions
Cons
- Abstract representation
- Can smooth out details
Treemap
HierarchicalNested rectangles showing hierarchical data with area representing value.
Best for:
Pros
- Efficient use of space
- Shows hierarchy
Cons
- Hard to compare non-adjacent boxes
- Labels can be cramped
Sunburst Chart
HierarchicalRadial treemap showing hierarchical data in concentric rings.
Best for:
Pros
- Beautiful visualization
- Clear hierarchy levels
Cons
- Center categories dominate
- Hard to read outer rings
Circle Packing
HierarchicalNested circles showing hierarchical relationships with size encoding value.
Best for:
Pros
- Aesthetic appeal
- Easy to see sizes
Cons
- Wastes space
- Harder to compare than treemap
Sankey Diagram
Network/FlowFlow diagram where link width represents quantity moved between nodes.
Best for:
Pros
- Shows flow magnitude
- Intuitive for transfers
Cons
- Complex to create
- Can get tangled
Chord Diagram
Network/FlowCircular diagram showing relationships between entities with arc connections.
Best for:
Pros
- Beautiful visualization
- Shows all relationships
Cons
- Hard to read
- Complex relationships confuse
Network Graph
Network/FlowNodes and edges showing connections and relationships in a network.
Best for:
Pros
- Shows complex relationships
- Identifies clusters
Cons
- Can be chaotic
- Needs careful layout
Alluvial Diagram
Network/FlowFlow diagram showing how categories change across multiple dimensions.
Best for:
Pros
- Shows category shifts
- Multiple dimensions
Cons
- Can be complex
- Limited categories
Radar Chart
SpecializedCircular chart with multiple axes radiating from center for multi-variable comparison.
Best for:
Pros
- Compare multiple variables
- Shows strengths/weaknesses
Cons
- Hard to read
- Scale distortion
Heatmap
SpecializedGrid of colors representing values across two categorical dimensions.
Best for:
Pros
- Patterns emerge naturally
- Dense information
Cons
- Color perception varies
- Needs good color scale
Waterfall Chart
SpecializedShows how initial value is affected by sequential positive and negative changes.
Best for:
Pros
- Shows cumulative effect
- Clear cause and effect
Cons
- Sequential data only
- Can be complex
Funnel Chart
SpecializedTapered chart showing progressive reduction through stages.
Best for:
Pros
- Intuitive for processes
- Shows drop-off clearly
Cons
- Limited to sequential stages
- Area can mislead
Gantt Chart
SpecializedHorizontal bar chart showing project timeline and task dependencies.
Best for:
Pros
- Project planning standard
- Shows dependencies
Cons
- Can get complex
- Hard to show resource allocation
Candlestick Chart
SpecializedFinancial chart showing open, high, low, close prices over time.
Best for:
Pros
- Standard in finance
- Rich price information
Cons
- Finance-specific
- Requires knowledge
Gauge Chart
SpecializedSpeedometer-style chart showing single value against a scale.
Best for:
Pros
- Instant understanding
- Great for KPIs
Cons
- Single value only
- Takes space
Choropleth Map
SpecializedGeographic map with regions colored by data values.
Best for:
Pros
- Geographic context
- Pattern visualization
Cons
- Area size bias
- Needs geographic data
How to Choose the Right Chart
Selecting the right chart type is crucial for effective data communication. Here are the key principles to guide your decision:
Start with Your Goal
Before choosing a chart, ask yourself: "What story do I want to tell?" Are you comparing values, showing trends, revealing composition, or exploring relationships? Your goal determines the chart family to consider.
Know Your Data
Different data types work better with different charts. Categorical data (names, labels) suits bar and pie charts. Time-series data calls for line charts. Numerical relationships need scatter plots. Match your chart to your data structure.
Consider Your Audience
Choose charts your audience can easily understand. Bar, line, and pie charts are universally recognized. More specialized charts like violin plots or Sankey diagrams may need explanation for general audiences but work well for technical ones.
Keep It Simple
When in doubt, choose simpler charts. A well-designed bar chart often communicates more effectively than a complex visualization. The best chart is one that your audience understands at a glance without needing explanation.
Quick Reference Guide
Comparing Values
Bar charts, grouped bars, bullet charts
Showing Trends
Line charts, area charts, step lines
Parts of a Whole
Pie, donut, treemap, stacked charts
Relationships
Scatter plots, bubble charts, heat maps
Create Animated Charts with AECharts
Turn your data into stunning animated chart videos. AECharts currently supports the most popular chart types with more coming soon.
Ready to Create Your Chart?
Now that you know which chart type to use, bring your data to life with AECharts. Create professional animated chart videos in seconds. No design skills required.