Workflow guide

Line, bar or pie chart: pick the right free graph maker

Choose the chart based on what the reader needs to understand, not on which shape looks best.

Line charts

Use ordered observations such as monthly sales or temperatures. Label both axes and avoid connecting categories that have no meaningful order.

Bar charts

Use for comparisons between distinct groups. A zero baseline makes differences easier to interpret fairly; label units and categories.

Pie charts

Use for a small number of parts that sum to a meaningful whole. If several slices are similar or there are many categories, a sorted bar chart is usually clearer.

Compare the options

Reported core features and processing methods; not independently benchmarked.
Tool	Best for	Cost / account	Processing
Create a line graph	Plot a series of values on a line chart.	free · No signup reported	Processing unverified
Create a bar chart	Compare numeric values across categories.	free · No signup reported	Processing unverified
Create a pie chart	Show the relative size of parts of a whole.	free · No signup reported	Processing unverified

Tools to explore

Charts & Data · RapidTables

Create a line graph

Plot a series of values on a line chart.

freeProcessing unverifiedNo signup reported

Open RapidTables

Charts & Data · RapidTables

Create a bar chart

Compare numeric values across categories.

freeProcessing unverifiedNo signup reported

Open RapidTables

Charts & Data · RapidTables

Create a pie chart

Show the relative size of parts of a whole.

freeProcessing unverifiedNo signup reported

Open RapidTables

Recommendations are based on public provider information, not comparative performance testing.