Gauge Chart
A gauge chart places one value on a bounded scale, often with a needle or filled arc. It is useful for a current reading or progress toward a target, such as capacity used or reports completed.
Read the value against its target
The example shows 72 completed reports against a target of 100. Progress is 72%. The remaining 28 reports are a gap to the target, not a forecast of what the team will finish.
The gauge cannot tell you whether progress is improving. A line chart is needed to show change over time.
Choose meaningful limits
State the unit, minimum, maximum, and target. A percentage often has a natural 0–100 scale. Other measures need limits chosen for the task, not to make the needle look favorable.
If a value can exceed its target, keep the actual number visible rather than silently capping it. Explain any colored warning ranges and where the thresholds come from.
Use gauges sparingly
A gauge takes considerable space for one value. A number with a progress bar may be easier to scan, especially when several measures must be compared.
Use a gauge when the bounded scale helps readers interpret the reading. Avoid decorative dials without labels, and do not rely only on red and green to communicate status.
Connect. Explore. Keep watching.
Start exploring your own data.
Use Chartbrew Cloud or host it yourself.
