A chart (sometimes known as a graph) is a graphical representation for

data visualization Data and information visualization (data viz or info viz) is an interdisciplinary field that deals with the graphic representation of data and information. It is a particularly efficient way of communicating when the data or information is nu ...

, in which "the

data In the pursuit of knowledge, data (; ) is a collection of discrete values that convey information, describing quantity, quality, fact, statistics, other basic units of meaning, or simply sequences of symbols that may be further interpret ...

is represented by symbols, such as bars in a bar chart, lines in a

line chart A line chart or line graph or curve chart is a type of chart which displays information as a series of data points called 'markers' connected by straight line segments. It is a basic type of chart common in many fields. It is similar to a ...

, or slices in a pie chart". A chart can represent tabular numeric data, functions or some kinds of quality structure and provides different info. The term "chart" as a graphical representation of

has multiple meanings: * A data chart is a type of

diagram A diagram is a symbolic representation of information using visualization techniques. Diagrams have been used since prehistoric times on walls of caves, but became more prevalent during the Enlightenment. Sometimes, the technique uses a three ...

or graph, that organizes and represents a set of numerical or qualitative data. * Maps that are adorned with extra information ( map surround) for a specific purpose are often known as charts, such as a

nautical chart A nautical chart is a graphic representation of a sea area and adjacent coastal regions. Depending on the scale of the chart, it may show depths of water and heights of land ( topographic map), natural features of the seabed, details of the co ...

aeronautical chart An aeronautical chart is a map designed to assist in the navigation of aircraft, much as nautical charts do for watercraft, or a roadmap does for drivers. Using these charts and other tools, pilots are able to determine their position, safe alt ...

, typically spread over several map sheets. * Other domain-specific constructs are sometimes called charts, such as the chord chart in music notation or a

record chart A record chart, in the music industry, also called a music chart, is a ranking of recorded music according to certain criteria during a given period. Many different criteria are used in worldwide charts, often in combination. These include ...

for album popularity. Charts are often used to ease understanding of large quantities of data and the relationships between parts of the data. Charts can usually be read more quickly than the raw data. They are used in a wide variety of fields, and can be created by hand (often on graph paper) or by computer using a charting application. Certain types of charts are more useful for presenting a given data set than others. For example, data that presents percentages in different groups (such as "satisfied, not satisfied, unsure") are often displayed in a pie chart, but maybe more easily understood when presented in a horizontal bar chart. On the other hand, data that represents numbers that change over a period of time (such as "annual revenue from 1990 to 2000") might be best shown as a

Features

A chart can take a large variety of forms. However, there are common features that provide the chart with its ability to extract meaning from data. Typically the data in a chart is represented graphically since humans can infer meaning from pictures more quickly than from text. Thus, the text is generally used only to annotate the data. One of the most important uses of text in a graph is the title. A graph's title usually appears above the main graphic and provides a succinct description of what the data in the graph refers to. Dimensions in the data are often displayed on axes. If a horizontal and a vertical axis are used, they are usually referred to as the x-axis and y-axis. Each axis will have a scale, denoted by periodic graduations and usually accompanied by numerical or categorical indications. Each axis will typically also have a label displayed outside or beside it, briefly describing the dimension represented. If the scale is numerical, the label will often be suffixed with the unit of that scale in parentheses. For example, "Distance traveled (m)" is a typical x-axis label and would mean that the distance traveled, in units of meters, is related to the horizontal position of the data within the chart. Within the graph, a grid of lines may appear to aid in the visual alignment of data. The grid can be enhanced by visually emphasizing the lines at regular or significant graduations. The emphasized lines are then called major gridlines, and the remainder is minor grid lines. A chart's data can appear in all manner of formats and may include individual textual labels describing the datum associated with the indicated position in the chart. The data may appear as dots or shapes, connected or unconnected, and in any combination of colors and patterns. In addition, inferences or points of interest can be overlaid directly on the graph to further aid information extraction. When the data appearing in a chart contains multiple variables, the chart may include a legend (also known as a key). A legend contains a list of the variables appearing in the chart and an example of their appearance. This information allows the data from each variable to be identified in the chart.

Types

Common charts

Four of the most common charts are: File:Black cherry tree histogram.svg, Histogram File:Försäljningsstatistik för blanddrycker.png, Bar chart File:ActionnariatLibe2007-fr.svg, Pie chart File:US Trade Balance from 1960.svg,

Line chart A line chart or line graph or curve chart is a type of chart which displays information as a series of data points called 'markers' connected by straight line segments. It is a basic type of chart common in many fields. It is similar to a ...

This gallery shows: * A histogram consists of tabular frequencies, shown as adjacent rectangles, erected over discrete intervals (bins), with an area equal to the frequency of the observations in the interval; first introduced by Karl Pearson. * A bar chart is a chart with rectangular bars with lengths proportional to the values that they represent. The bars can be plotted vertically or horizontally. The first known bar charts are usually attributed to Nicole Oresme, Joseph Priestley, and William Playfair. * A pie chart shows percentage values as a slice of a pie; first introduced by William Playfair. * A

is a two-dimensional scatterplot of ordered observations where the observations are connected following their order. The first known line charts are usually credited to Francis Hauksbee, Nicolaus Samuel Cruquius, Johann Heinrich Lambert and William Playfair. Other common charts are: File:BTTFTimelines.png,

Timeline A timeline is a display of a list of events in chronological order. It is typically a graphic design showing a long bar labelled with dates paralleling it, and usually contemporaneous events. Timelines can use any suitable scale represen ...

chart File:Organigram of the United States Department of the Navy.gif, Organizational chart File:ABB.svg, Tree chart File:Flussdiagramm (Programmablaufplan).png, Flow chart File:MLB slugging history.svg, Area chart File:Cartlinearlarge.png, Cartogram File:Autosomal Dominant Pedigree Chart.svg, Pedigree chart File:Sunburst Chart.jpg, Radial tree

Less-common charts

Examples of less common charts are: File:3Variable_BubbleChart.svg, Bubble chart File:Nightingale-mortality.jpg, Polar area diagram File:Waterfall-chart.jpg, Waterfall chart File:Fuentes de consumo de energía diaria 2001-2003 (FAO).svg, Radar chart File:Heatmap incito.png, Tree map File:LastGraph example.svg, Streamgraph File:GapChart-Top14-2013-2014.png, GapChart This gallery shows: * A bubble chart is a two-dimensional scatterplot where a third variable is represented by the size of the points. * A polar area diagram, sometimes called a Coxcomb chart, is an enhanced form of pie chart developed by

Florence Nightingale Florence Nightingale (; 12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910) was an English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale came to prominence while serving as a manager and trainer of nurses during the Crimean War ...

. * A radar chart or "spider chart" or "doi" is a two-dimensional chart of three or more quantitative variables represented on axes starting from the same point. * A waterfall chart also known as a "Walk" chart, is a special type of floating-column chart. * A tree map where the areas of the rectangles correspond to values. Other dimensions can be represented with color or hue. Smaller areas go to the bottom right corner. * A streamgraph, a stacked, curvilinear area graph displaced around a central axis * A GapChart, a time series chart showing evolving gaps and equalities between series. Other dimensions can be represented with color or hue.

Field-specific charts

Some types of charts have specific uses in a certain field File:Bollinger bands example, 2 stddevs.png,

Open-high-low-close chart An open-high-low-close chart (also OHLC) is a type of chart typically used to illustrate movements in the price of a financial instrument over time. Each vertical line on the chart shows the price range (the highest and lowest prices) over one ...

File:Candlestick-chart.png,

Candlestick chart A candlestick chart (also called Japanese candlestick chart or K-line) is a style of financial chart used to describe price movements of a security, derivative, or currency. It is similar to a bar chart in that each candlestick represents al ...

File:KagiSample2Chart echarts.gif, Kagi chart File:Sparkline dowjones.svg, Sparkline This gallery shows: * Stock market prices are often depicted with an

open-high-low-close chart An open-high-low-close chart (also OHLC) is a type of chart typically used to illustrate movements in the price of a financial instrument over time. Each vertical line on the chart shows the price range (the highest and lowest prices) over one ...

with a traditional bar chart of volume at the bottom. *

s are another type of bar chart used to describe price movements of an equity over time. * A Kagi chart is a time-independent stock tracking chart that attempts to minimise noise. * Alternatively, where less detail is required, and chart size is paramount, a Sparkline may be used. Other examples: * Interest rates, temperatures, etc., at the close of the period are plotted with a line chart. * Project planners use a Gantt chart to show the timing of tasks as they occur over time.

Well-known named charts

Some of the better-known named charts are: File:Gantt przyklad 2.PNG, Gantt chart File:Nolan-chart.svg, Nolan chart File:5n PERT graph with critical path.svg, PERT chart File:Smith chart bmd.gif, Smith chart Some specific charts have become well known by effectively explaining a phenomenon or idea. * An Allele chart is a chart originating from the study of

genetics Genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in organisms.Hartl D, Jones E (2005) It is an important branch in biology because heredity is vital to organisms' evolution. Gregor Mendel, a Moravian Augustinian friar work ...

to show the interaction of two data points in a grid. * A Gantt chart helps in scheduling complex projects. * The Nolan chart and the Pournelle chart classify political philosophies according to two axes of variation. * A PERT chart is often used in

project management Project management is the process of leading the work of a team to achieve all project goals within the given constraints. This information is usually described in project documentation, created at the beginning of the development process. T ...

. * The Smith chart serves in radio electronics.

Other charts

There are dozens of other types of charts. Here are some of them: File:ControlChart.svg,

Control chart Control charts is a graph used in production control to determine whether quality and manufacturing processes are being controlled under stable conditions. (ISO 7870-1) The hourly status is arranged on the graph, and the occurrence of abnormalit ...

File:GreningerChart.png, Greninger chart File:Heatmap.png, Heatmap File:Horoscope-Christ.jpg, Natal chart File:TS-Wasserdampf. neu.png, Nomogram File:800px-Pareto fr.png, Pareto chart File:SimpleRunChart.jpg, Run chart File:Example Strip Chart.png, Strip chart File:Configuration System Structure Chart.jpg, Structure chart File:Amharic vowel chart.svg, Vowel chart One more example: Bernal chart

Common plots

File:Michelsonmorley-boxplot.svg, Box plot File:Dotplot of random values 2.png, Dot plot (statistics) File:Probability Plot.gif, Probability plot File:oldfaithful3.png, Scatterplot File:Spectramap Biplot Iris Flower Data Set FULL.jpg, Biplot

Chart software

While charts can be drawn by hand, computer software is often used to automatically produce a chart based on entered data. For examples of commonly used software tools, see List of charting software.