Barcelona Field Studies Centre

Bar Chart and Bipolar Graph Maker

Bar charts are a simple and intuitive way of visualising data in the form of vertical or horizontal rectangles aligned along the X-axis, the height of which is proportional to their values on the Y-axis. Their strength lies in conciseness and clarity that helps and does not hinder data analysis. Bar charts are commonly used in geography fieldwork to compare data or illustrate trends over time. Bar charts are better than line graphs for comparing large changes or differences in data but are less suitable for displaying large data sets.

This Bar Chart Maker creates a variety of bar graphs. The bars can be oriented horizontally or vertically. Negative values may be entered as bar data (e.g. -20) to make bipolar charts. The Bar Chart Maker is free to use and no account or log-in is required.

Enter your data in the calculator below. Select the type of bar chart required and click the 'Calculate' button. Clicking the 'Open Bar Chart' button will then open your bar chart in a new window. A menu appears above the chart offering several options, including downloading an image. Hover over the chart to display the data.

The 'Customise' button opens options to edit the chart title and axes labels.

Bar Chart and Bipolar Graph Maker









Bar Chart Advantages and Disadvantages

Histogram or Bihistogram Creator

Percentage or Divided Bar Chart Creator

Stacked Bar Chart or Bar Graph Maker