Grouped Bar Chart: Examples, When to Use + Free Template

A grouped bar chart places multiple bars side by side for each category — one bar per data series. It's the clearest way to compare values across groups without losing sight of individual differences.

Also called a clustered bar chart, multi-set bar chart, or grouped column chart. Use it when you need to compare two or more data series — sales vs costs, this year vs last year, region A vs region B.

Bottom line: if you have multiple groups and need to compare them directly, a grouped bar chart is almost always the right choice over stacked bars or tables.

What is a grouped bar chart?

Each category on the x-axis gets a cluster of bars — one per data series. Bars within a cluster are placed side by side, making it easy to compare values at a glance. Bar heights are proportional to their values.

Unlike a stacked bar chart (which stacks bars on top of each other to show totals and composition), a grouped chart keeps bars separate. This makes individual comparisons more precise — you can read exact differences between groups without doing mental arithmetic.

You'll see it called: clustered bar chart, side-by-side bar chart, multi-set bar chart, grouped column chart. All the same thing.

When to use a grouped bar chart

Use it when:

Comparing values across two or more groups side by side
Financial data — sales vs costs vs revenue across periods
Survey results where you want to compare individual answers, not totals
Performance metrics across regions, teams, or products
Before/after comparisons where each category has multiple data points

Don't use it when:

You want to show composition (how parts add up to a whole) — use a stacked bar chart
You have more than 4–5 groups per category — bars become too narrow to read
You only have one data series — use a simple bar chart instead

Grouped bar chart examples

Sales vs costs vs revenue by quarter

Each cluster = one quarter. Three bars per cluster: Sales, Costs, Revenue. You can immediately see whether margins are expanding or compressing and compare across all four quarters at once.

[image: grouped bar chart — sales vs costs vs revenue by quarter]

Regional performance comparison

Each cluster = one region (North, South, East, West). Two bars per cluster: This Year vs Last Year. Side-by-side bars make growth or decline in each region immediately visible.

[image: grouped bar chart — regional performance year-over-year]

Survey results by demographic

Each cluster = one answer option (Agree, Neutral, Disagree). Bars per cluster = age groups (18–24, 25–34, 35–44, 45+). Unlike a stacked chart, you can directly compare how each age group answered each option.

[image: grouped bar chart — survey results by age group]

Create a grouped bar chart

Paste your data, pick a bar chart template, and export as MP4 or image. Free to start.

How to make a grouped bar chart

Format your data with a category column plus one column per group — then paste into AECharts:

1

Format your data

One column for categories, then one column per group. Each row = one category. Paste directly from Excel or Google Sheets.

2

Choose grouped bar chart

Open AECharts, select the bar chart type. Your columns automatically become separate groups rendered side by side.

3

Assign colors per group

Each group gets a distinct color. Use high-contrast colors so groups are easy to tell apart at a glance. Add a legend.

4

Export

Export as MP4 video, GIF, or image. Animated grouped bar charts work well for presentations, LinkedIn, and investor updates.

QuarterSalesCostsRevenue
Q1 202484,00051,00033,000
Q2 202497,00058,00039,000
Q3 2024112,00064,00048,000
Q4 2024131,00072,00059,000

Paste this format directly from Excel or Google Sheets. AECharts maps each column to a group automatically.

Common mistakes

Too many groups — more than 4–5 makes bars too thin to read. Combine groups or simplify your data first.
Y-axis not starting at zero — this exaggerates differences. Always start at zero for bar charts.
Missing legend — with multiple groups, a clear legend is essential. Don't make readers guess which color is which.

FAQ

Build your grouped bar chart

Paste your data, pick a bar chart template, and export as MP4, GIF, or image. No design experience needed.

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