📊 Comparison Charts – Bar Charts

Last Updated: 22 Sept 2025

Comparison Charts are used to compare categories or groups.
The most common type is the Bar Chart.

✏ When to Use Comparison Charts?

  • Data is categorical (fruits, products, countries).
  • You want to compare values of different groups.
  • Not for trends over time (use Line Charts for trends).

🎨 Color Rules & Tips

  1. One color per category is simple and readable.
  2. Use contrasting colors when comparing multiple groups.
  3. Avoid very bright/neon colors; prefer soft, distinguishable tones.
  4. Use a consistent color scheme for multiple charts in a report.
  5. Highlight important data with a standout color.

Do's & Don'ts

✅ Do

  • Add axis labels and titles.
  • Use legends if multiple groups are compared.
  • Keep bar widths consistent.
  • Sort categories logically (ascending, descending, or meaningful order).

❌ Don’t

  • Don’t use too many colors (confuses the reader).
  • Don’t truncate bars or axes (misleading visualization).
  • Don’t use 3D bars unnecessarily (hard to interpret).
  • Don’t overcrowd categories — keep it simple.

💡 Bar Chart Examples

1.Vertical Bar Chart

Let us consider the following data:

fruits = ["Apple", "Banana", "Orange"]
sales = [50, 30, 70]

You want to create a bar chart to compare the sales of different fruits.

Vertical Bar Chart Example

2.Horizontal Bar Chart

Horizontal Bar Chart Example

3.Grouped Bar Chart

Let us consider the following data:

fruits = ["Apple", "Banana", "Orange"]
shop_a = [50, 30, 70]
shop_b = [40, 35, 65]

You want to create a grouped bar chart to compare the sales of different fruits between two shops.

Grouped Bar Chart Example

4.Stacked Bar Chart

Let us consider the following data:

states = ["State 1", "State 2", "State 3"]
male_votes = [120, 150, 90]
female_votes = [100, 130, 80]

You want to create a stacked bar chart to compare the votes of males and females in different states.

Stacked Bar Chart Example

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