Deviation Correlation Ranking Distribution Change over Time Magnitude Part-to-whole Spatial Flow

Emphasise variations (+/-) from a fixed Show the relationship between two or
reference point. Typically the reference more variables. Be mindful that, unless
point is zero but it can also be a target you tell them otherwise, many readers
or a long-term average. Can also be will assume the relationships you show
used to show sentiment them to be causal (i.e. one causes the
(positive/neutral/negative). other).
Example FT uses Example FT uses
Trade surplus/deficit, climate change Inflation & unemployment, income & life
expectancy
Use where an item’s position in an
ordered list is more important than its
absolute or relative value. Don’t be
afraid to highlight the points of interest.
Example FT uses
Wealth, deprivation, league tables,
constituency election results
Show values in a dataset and how often
they occur. The shape (or ‘skew’) of a
distribution can be a memorable way of
highlighting the lack of uniformity or
equality in the data.
Example FT uses
Income distribution, population
(age/sex) distribution
Give emphasis to changing trends.
These can be short (intra-day)
movements or extended series
traversing decades or centuries:
Choosing the correct time period is
important to provide suitable context
for the reader.
Example FT uses
Share price movements, economic time
series
Show size comparisons. These can be
relative (just being able to see
larger/bigger) or absolute (need to see
fine differences). Usually these show a
‘counted’ number (for example, barrels,
dollars or people) rather than a
calculated rate or per cent.
Example FT uses
Commodity production, market
capitalisation
Show how a single entity can be broken
down into its component elements. If
the reader’s interest is solely in the size
of the components, consider a
magnitude-type chart instead.
Example FT uses
Fiscal budgets, company structures,
national election results
Aside from locator maps only used
when precise locations or geographical
patterns in data are more important to
the reader than anything else.
Example FT uses
Population density, natural resource
locations, natural disaster risk/impact,
catchment areas, variation in election
results
Show the reader volumes or intensity of
movement between two or more states
or conditions. These might be logical
sequences or geographical locations.
Example FT uses
Movement of funds, trade, migrants,
lawsuits, information; relationship
graphs.

Diverging bar Scatterplot Ordered bar Histogram Line Column Stacked column Basic choropleth (rate/ratio) Sankey
A simple standard bar The standard way to Standard bar charts The standard way to The standard way to The standard way to A simple way of The standard approach Shows changes in flows
chart that can handle show the relationship display the ranks of show a statistical show a changing time compare the size of showing part-to-whole for putting data on a from one condition to at
both negative and between two continuous values much more distribution - keep the series. If data are things. Must always relationships but can be map – should always be least one other; good for
positive magnitude variables, each of which easily when sorted gaps between columns irregular, consider start at 0 on the axis. difficult to read with rates rather than totals tracing the eventual
values. has its own axis. into order. small to highlight the markers to represent more than a few and use a sensible base outcome of a complex
‘shape’ of the data. data points. components. geography. process.

Diverging stacked bar Line + Column Ordered column Boxplot Column Bar Proportional stacked bar Proportional symbol (count/magnitde) Waterfall
Perfect for presenting A good way of See above. Summarise multiple Columns work well for See above. Good when A good way of Use for totals rather Designed to show the
survey results which showing the distributions by showing change over the data are not time showing the size and than rates – be wary sequencing of data
involve sentiment (eg relationship between showing the median time - but usually best series and labels have proportion of data at that small differences through a flow
disagree/neutral/ an amount (columns) (centre) and range of with only one series of long category names. the same time – as in data will be hard to process, typically
agree). and a rate (line). the data data at a time. long as the data are see. budgets. Can include
not too complicated. +/- components.

Spine chart Connected scatterplot Ordered proportional symbol Violin plot Line + column Paired column Pie Flow map Chord
Splits a single value Usually used to show Use when there are big Similar to a box plot but A good way of As per standard A common way of For showing A complex but
into two contrasting how the relationship variations between more effective with showing the column but allows for showing part-to-whole unambiguous powerful diagram
components (eg between 2 variables values and/or seeing complex distributions relationship over time multiple series. Can data – but be aware that movement across a which can illustrate
male/female). has changed over fine differences (data that cannot be between an amount become tricky to read it’s difficult to accurately map. 2-way flows (and net
time. between data is not so summarised with simple (columns) and a rate with more than 2 compare the size of the winner) in a matrix.
important. average). (line). series. segments.

Surplus/deficit filled line Bubble Dot strip plot Population pyramid Stock price Paired bar Donut Contour map Network
The shaded area of Like a scatterplot, but Dots placed in order A standard way for Usually focused on See above. Similar to a pie chart – For showing areas of Used for showing the
these charts allows a adds additional detail on a strip are a showing the age and sex day-to-day activity, but the centre can be a equal value on a map. strength and
balance to be shown – by sizing the circles space-efficient breakdown of a these charts show good way of making Can use deviation inter-connectedness
either against a according to a third method of laying out population distribution; opening/closing and space to include more colour schemes for of relationships of
baseline or between variable. ranks across multiple effectively, back to back high/low points of information about the showing +/- values varying types.
two series. categories. histograms. each day. data (eg total).

XY heatmap Slope Dot strip plot Slope Proportional stacked bar Treemap Equalised cartogram
A good way of showing Perfect for showing Good for showing Good for showing A good way of Use for hierarchical Converting each unit on
the patterns between 2 how ranks have individual values in a changing data as long showing the size and part-to-whole a map to a regular and
categories of data, less changed over time or distribution, can be a as the data can be proportion of data at relationships; can be equally-sized shape –
good at showing fine vary between problem when too simplified into 2 or 3 the same time – as difficult to read when good for representing
differences in amounts. categories. many dots have the points without missing long as the data are there are many small voting regions with
same value. a key part of story. not too complicated. segments. equal value.

Lollipop chart Dot plot Area chart Scaled cartogram (value)

Proportional symbol Voronoi
Lollipops draw more A simple way of Use with care – these Stretching and
attention to the data showing the change or are good at showing Use when there are big A way of turning shrinking a map so
value than standard range (min/max) of changes to total, but variations between points into areas – any that each area is sized
bar/column and can data across multiple seeing change in values and/or seeing point within each area according to a
also show rank and categories. components can be fine differences is closer to the central particular value.
value effectively. very difficult. between data is not so point than any other
important. centroid.

Barcode plot Fan chart (projections) Isotype (pictogram) Arc Dot density
Like dot strip plots, Use to show the Excellent solution in A hemicycle, often Used to show the
good for displaying all uncertainty in future some instances – use used for visualising location of individual
the data in a table, projections - usually only with whole political results in events/locations –
they work best when this grows the further numbers (do not slice parliaments. make sure to annotate
highlighting individual forward to projection. off an arm to represent any patterns the
values. a decimal). reader should see.

Cumulative curve Connected scatterplot Lollipop chart Gridplot Heat map

A good way of showing A good way of showing Lollipop charts draw Good for showing % Grid-based data values
how unequal a changing data for two more attention to the information, they work mapped with an
distribution is: y axis is variables whenever data value than best when used on intensity colour scale.
always cumulative there is a relatively standard bar/column – whole numbers and As choropleth map –
frequency, x axis is clear pattern of does not have to start at work well in multiple but not snapped to an
always a measure. progression. zero (but preferable). layout form. admin/political unit.

Visual
Calendar heatmap Radar chart Venn
A great way of showing A space-efficient way of Generally only used
temporal patterns showing value of for schematic
(daily, weekly, monthly) multiple variables– but representation.
– at the expense of make sure they are
showing precision in organised in a way that
quantity. makes sense to reader.

vocabulary
Priestley timeline Parallel coordinates Waterfall
Great when date and An alternative to radar Can be useful for
duration are key charts – again, the showing part-to-whole
elements of the story arrangement of the relationships where
in the data. variables is important. some of the
Usually benefits from components are
highlighting values. negative.

Circle timeline Bullet chart

Good for showing Good for showing a
discrete values of measurement against
Designing with data varying size across
multiple categories
the context of a target
or performance range.
(eg earthquakes by
contintent).
There are so many ways to visualise data - how do we
know which one to pick? Use the categories across the Vertical timeline Grouped symbol
Presents time on the Y An alternative to
top to decide which data relationship is most important axis. Good for bar/column charts when
displaying detailed being able to count
in your story, then look at the different types of chart time series that work data or highlight
especially well when individual elements is
within the category to form some initial ideas about what scrolling on mobile. useful.
might work best. This list is not meant to be exhaustive,
Seismogram
nor a wizard, but is a useful starting point for making Another alternative to
informative and meaningful data visualisations. the circle timeline for
showing series where
there are big
FT graphic: Alan Smith; Chris Campbell; Ian Bott; Liz Faunce; Graham Parrish; Billy Ehrenberg; Paul McCallum; Martin Stabe
variations in the data.
Inspired by the Graphic Continuum by Jon Schwabish and Severino Ribecca

ft.com/vocabulary