Bar Graph Maker

Paste categories and values to create a horizontal bar graph instantly. Compare long labels or multiple series, customize the display, and download a PNG or SVG.

Free online tool

Create your horizontal bar graph

Data stays in your browser

My Charts

Saved on this device · No account required

1. Enter data

Upload CSV or text data

Or drop one file here. Up to 2 MB; nothing is uploaded to a server.

Paste CSV or spreadsheet data

Use category labels in the first column and one or more numerical series after them.

Data series

Series 1 name

Series 2 name

Editable chart data
#	Category	Current year	Previous year
1	Category, row 1	Current year, row 1	Previous year, row 1
2	Category, row 2	Current year, row 2	Previous year, row 2
3	Category, row 3	Current year, row 3	Previous year, row 3
4	Category, row 4	Current year, row 4	Previous year, row 4

Chart type

Opens the selected tool with your current chart data and shared settings. Unapplied pasted text is not transferred.

Preview

4 categories · 2 series · 8 values

Category order

Orders the chart, data table and image exports. Input rows stay in their original order.

Transparent background

Applies to PNG and SVG downloads. Dark labels work best on light backgrounds. The preview checkerboard is not exported.

Image size

Applies to PNG and SVG downloads. The preview matches the image proportions; wider images retain side padding to avoid distortion. SVG stays sharp when resized; some editors may substitute fonts.

Fit rows download: 1600 × 748 pixels.

Series legend: Current year; Previous year.

Accessible graph data

Category and series values
Category	Current year	Previous year
Home office furniture	120	105
Storage solutions	185	160
Lighting and accessories	95	110
Ergonomic seating	160	145

Quick guide

How to make a horizontal bar graph

Enter categories and values. Paste spreadsheet data or edit the table directly.
Check each series. Add, remove, or rename series and correct any flagged values.
Label the comparison. Set a useful title and axis labels, then choose the legend, grid, and value-label options.
Download it. Review the chart and accessible values before exporting a PNG or SVG.

What is a bar graph?

A bar graph compares numerical values across distinct categories. In this tool the bars run horizontally: category names appear along the vertical axis and bar length represents value on the horizontal scale. A shared baseline makes differences in length straightforward to compare.

When horizontal bars work well

Horizontal bar graphs are especially useful when labels are long, when categories form a ranked list, or when a vertical layout would force labels to rotate or overlap. They work well for product names, survey answers, regions, departments, and other discrete groups.

Example format

Bar graph data

Category,Value
Product A,120
Product B,185
Product C,95
Product D,160

Add more numerical columns when you need grouped bars for multiple series.

Bar graph vs column chart

Both charts compare discrete categories using length, but their orientation serves different labels and layouts. Horizontal bars give long category names room to remain readable and are natural for rankings. Vertical columns are often compact for short labels, periods, and familiar left-to-right comparisons. The separate tools provide genuinely different plotting areas rather than merely changing the page wording.

Comparing categories and multiple series

Rank categories

Order items from largest to smallest when rank is the main message.

Show long labels

Keep descriptive category names horizontal instead of abbreviating or rotating them.

Compare groups

Use grouped bars for a small number of compatible series measured on one scale.

Too many grouped series make individual bars narrow and the legend harder to follow. Keep the comparison focused, and use the accessible data table whenever exact values matter.

Grouped, stacked, or 100% stacked?

Choose Grouped to compare individual series directly. Choose Stacked when the series are parts that can meaningfully be added, such as product sales within each region. Positive and negative values stack separately from zero; the net total in the table is not the full span of a mixed-sign stack.

Choose 100% stacked to compare composition rather than absolute totals. A category containing 20 and 30 becomes 40% and 60%, while its original values and total remain in the table. Every category has its own denominator. Missing values need correction or an explicit zero before stacking; zero-total categories have no percentage share and do not get a fabricated full bar.

Bar graph maker FAQ

Is this bar graph horizontal?

Yes. This maker uses horizontal bars by default, leaving more room for category names and ranked comparisons than a vertical column chart.

Can I compare multiple data series?

Yes. Add each series as another numerical column. Grouped shows them side by side; Stacked adds compatible values within each category; 100% stacked compares their shares of that category's total. The legend and accessible table identify each series.

Can a bar graph include negative values?

Grouped and Stacked support negatives. Positive values extend right of zero and negative values extend left, with separate stacks on each side. The 100% stacked mode requires non-negative values.

Does ChartMaker upload my values?

No. Your data is parsed, drawn, and exported locally in the browser.

Learn with examples

Lessons and printable worksheets

Practise with original sample data, worked answers, and free classroom worksheets.