Donut Chart
A donut chart is a pie chart with an empty center. Each segment shows a category's share of a total. The center can display that total or a short label without covering a segment.
How to read the example
Search accounts for 420 of 1,000 visits, or 42%. Referral accounts for 120 visits, or 12%. The segments use the same data as the pie chart example.
The hole is a layout choice. It does not change the values or make close shares easier to compare. Use the labels or sample table for exact figures.
Use one clear total
A donut chart suits a small set of non-overlapping categories, such as tickets by status or visits by source. Values must be non-negative. Explain what the total includes and which time period it covers.
Do not put unrelated percentages in the same donut. A 70% activation rate and a 40% retention rate have different denominators and do not form parts of one total.
Common limits
Small segments become hard to see and label. Combine minor categories only when the grouping is useful, and name it clearly. Use a bar chart when readers need to rank many categories or compare similar values.
Avoid several concentric rings with different totals unless their meaning is explicit. A single ring with a clear caption is usually easier to read.
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