Dot Plot Maker
Compare values across categories using dots on a shared scale. Paste a spreadsheet, edit the table, and create a single-series or connected comparison chart.
Create your dot plot
Create and download without an account · Device saves and project files are in Open / backups
1. Enter data
Or drop one file here. Up to 2 MB; nothing is uploaded to a server.
One category per row. Add one or more numerical columns for the dots. Add an optional Group column for section headings. Empty cells stay missing; negative and zero values are supported.
| # | Category | Group (optional) | Before | After | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 |
Preview
5 categories · 2 series · 10 values
Hover over a mark for details. Click or tap to pin. Use this selector for keyboard access, small shapes, zero and missing values. Escape closes details. The data table is available below. Downloads exclude the details card.
Applies to PNG and SVG downloads. Dark labels work best on light backgrounds. The preview checkerboard is not exported.
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.
Image height grows with the category list, up to 4000 pixels. For a large table or many series, fewer categories and hover details are clearer than value labels.
Accessible data table
| Category | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| North | 61 | 74 |
| South | 54 | 69 |
| East | 72 | 78 |
| West | 66 | 63 |
| Central | 58 | 71 |
How to make a dot plot
- Enter categories and values. Put category names in the first column and a numerical series in each following column.
- Check the import. Select the numerical columns and an optional Group column for section headings, then edit any values or series names in the table.
- Arrange the comparison. Sort categories, choose colours and add a value-axis label with units. Connect dots if the span is useful.
- Inspect and download. Hover, tap or use the value selector for exact details. Export the chart as PNG or SVG.
What is a category dot plot?
A category dot plot places numerical values along a common horizontal axis, with a separate row for each category. Unlike bars, which encode magnitude through length from a baseline, dots encode values through position. This is useful when several groups have similar values and the differences deserve a closer look.
One series produces one dot per row. Additional series let you compare periods, groups or scenarios within the same category. Use compatible units throughout; a single axis cannot sensibly compare percentages with dollar amounts.
Reading a connected dot plot
In the example, North moves from 61 to 74: a 13-point increase. West moves from 66 to 63: a 3-point decrease. Series colours identify the periods; the connector simply shows the distance between them. It has no arrow and does not by itself identify a direction.
With more than two series, the connector shows the category’s minimum-to-maximum span. It does not connect observations over time or imply a fitted trend. Exact overlapping values remain separately available in the inspector and data table.
Choosing between dots, bars and scatter plots
Use dots when comparing positions across named categories, especially with several similar values. A bar graph emphasizes magnitude from zero. A scatter plot instead has two numerical axes and explores a relationship between variables. For a chronological sequence, use the Line Graph Maker.
This tool is different from a frequency dot plot that stacks repeated observations above a number line. To explore a numerical distribution, try the Histogram Maker.
Keeping the comparison readable
Sort by a selected series to reveal a ranking, or keep the original order when it has meaning. Group sections follow their first appearance in the input, with sorting inside each group. Label the units and explain any cropped axis. The image grows with the category list; for a dense chart, use fewer categories and the interactive details rather than printing every value beside its dot.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of dot plot does this tool make?
It makes a category comparison dot plot, also called a Cleveland dot plot. Each row is a named category and each numerical series contributes a dot on a shared horizontal scale. It does not stack dots to show the frequency of repeated observations.
Can I compare two or more series?
Yes. Use one category column followed by up to eight numerical series. Optional connectors show the minimum-to-maximum span within each category; with two series they form a connected dot plot, often called a dumbbell chart.
Can the data contain zero, negative or missing values?
Zero and negative values are plotted normally. An empty cell has no dot and is never converted to zero. Each active category needs at least one valid numerical value. Invalid input pauses downloads and publishing until corrected.
Does the axis have to start at zero?
No. Dot plots compare positions rather than bar lengths, so a tighter value range can make differences easier to see. Keep the axis labels clear. Custom limits crop the view without changing the input table, CSV or saved data.
Can I use it without an account?
Yes. Editing and PNG or SVG downloads work in your browser without signing in. An account is needed only to save online, publish a sharing link or create an embed. Data is uploaded only when you choose those account features.