Bar Chart

Updated 01 Oct 2026

•
What it is
- •
  displays a numerical value for each category using bar length
- •
•
Forms
- •
  simple: one value per cateogry
- •
  grouped: compare several series within each category
- •
  stacked: show a total divided into components; a 100% stacked chart emphasizes proportions
•
Interpretation
- •
  bar lengths normally need a zero baseline for meaningful magnitude cmoparisons.
- •
  comparing interior segments of stacked bars is harder because they lack a shared baseline
•
Distinguish from
- •
  Frequency Histogram groups numerical observations into intervals; a bar chart compares categories

Linked references 4