Pie Chart

A pie chart divides a circle into slices. Each slice represents a category's share of one total. A category with 25% of the total takes up one quarter of the circle.

Visits by sourceSample data

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What belongs in a pie chart

Use non-negative values from categories that do not overlap. The categories should cover the whole total, or the chart should include an “Other” category for the remainder.

The example contains 1,000 visits. Search contributes 420, so its slice represents 42%. These are shares of visits, not conversion rates or changes over time.

When to choose another chart

Pie charts work best when a few slices differ enough to compare. Close values are easier to compare in a bar chart, where all bars share a baseline.

Avoid several pies when readers must compare categories across dates. Use grouped bars or a stacked area chart, depending on the question.

Label the whole and the parts

State the total, time period, and unit. Show category labels and values or percentages without requiring readers to match many colors to a legend.

Keep the chart flat. A 3D perspective changes how large slices appear. Do not pull out many slices or use color to imply a ranking that the data does not support.

A donut chart uses the same part-to-whole relationship, with space in the center for a total or label.