How to Choose the Right Chart

Use when comparing values across categories

Avoid when you have more than 12 items

Mistake y-axis not starting at zero

Use when comparing sub-categories side by side

Avoid when you have more than 3 groups

Mistake too many colors making it unreadable

Use when labels are long or you have many categories

Avoid when showing data over time

Mistake not sorting bars by value

Use when showing positive vs negative from a baseline

Avoid when all values are on the same side

Mistake not clearly marking the zero line

Use when tracking a metric over time

Avoid when you have fewer than 5 data points

Mistake plotting too many lines (>5)

Use when comparing 2-4 trends over time

Avoid when lines overlap too much

Mistake using similar colors for each line

Use when emphasizing magnitude over time

Avoid when comparing two overlapping series

Mistake using with non-continuous data

Use when showing parts contributing to a total over time

Avoid when individual values matter more than total

Mistake putting volatile series at the bottom

Use when showing frequency of continuous data

Avoid when data is categorical

Mistake choosing the wrong bin size

Use when comparing spread across groups

Avoid when your audience is non-technical

Mistake ignoring outlier data points

Use when showing full density shape of data

Avoid when a quick summary is all you need

Mistake not including a median reference line

Use when showing 2-5 slices where one dominates

Avoid when slices are similar in size or >5

Mistake adding 3D effects

Use when same as pie, but wanting a cleaner look

Avoid when comparing two compositions side by side

Mistake making the center hole too small

Use when comparing composition across groups

Avoid when middle segments are the focus

Mistake using too many segments (>5)

Use when showing hierarchical part-to-whole

Avoid when exact comparisons are needed

Mistake too many tiny rectangles

Use when showing correlation between two variables

Avoid when one variable is categorical

Mistake claiming causation from correlation

Use when adding a 3rd dimension via bubble size

Avoid when size differences are subtle

Mistake not including a size legend

Use when showing patterns across 2 categorical dimensions

Avoid when too many rows or columns

Mistake not sorting rows/columns meaningfully

Use when showing a ranked list or leaderboard

Avoid when the ranking is secondary info

Mistake omitting value labels on bars

Use when ranking many items with less visual clutter

Avoid when audience expects traditional bars

Mistake making the circle too large

Use when showing rank change between 2 time points

Avoid when >2 time points or >8 items

Mistake too many crossing lines

Use when showing density or intensity across 2 axes

Avoid when exact values are needed

Mistake using a rainbow color scale

Use when showing incremental changes to a total (e.g. P&L)

Avoid when steps don't form a running total

Mistake unclear increase vs decrease colors

Use when comparing 2 metrics with different units

Avoid when it risks implying false correlation

Mistake manipulating axis ranges to align lines