Bar Graph Maker

This bar graph maker turns a short list of labels and numbers into a clean bar chart you can save as an image. The example data – fruit sold per week – adds up to 545 units, with cherries the tallest bar at 140.

Source: UK Government Analysis Function – Data visualisation: charts (bar axis starting at zero, sorting, horizontal bars for long labels). Updated: 4 October 2026.

Data (one bar per line)

Label and value per line, e.g. “Apples 120”. For several series separate columns with a tab or semicolon and put the series names in the first line.

Bars

Order

Chart title

Axis label for the values

Show the value on each bar

My ToolboxYour inputs are saved in this browser only.

Result

Data table: Category Value Share of total
Apples 120 22%
Bananas 95 17.4%
Cherries 140 25.7%
Grapes 80 14.7%
Oranges 110 20.2%
Summary: Bars: 5
Total: 545
Average: 109
Largest: Cherries (140)
Smallest: Grapes (80); The value axis always starts at zero, so the bar lengths can be compared fairly. Your data stays in your browser and is not uploaded.

Category	Value	Share of total
Apples	120	22%
Bananas	95	17.4%
Cherries	140	25.7%
Grapes	80	14.7%
Oranges	110	20.2%

How it is calculated

A bar graph compares amounts across categories: one bar per category, and the length of each bar stands for its value. It is the right chart whenever the question is “which is bigger, and by how much?” – sales per product, votes per option, rainfall per month.

How to make a bar graph

Enter one category per line, followed by its value. You can paste two columns straight from a spreadsheet.
Choose vertical or horizontal bars. Horizontal bars leave room for long category names.
Sort by size when the categories have no natural order; keep the entered order for months, age groups or ratings.
Add a title and a label for the value axis, then save the chart as PNG for documents or as SVG for sharp printing.

Worked example

Fruit sold per week: apples 120, bananas 95, cherries 140, grapes 80, oranges 110. The total is 545 and the average 109 per fruit. Cherries are the largest bar with 140 units, or 25.7% of the total; grapes are the smallest with 80. Sorted from largest to smallest the order becomes cherries, apples, oranges, bananas, grapes – the ranking is visible at a glance.

Rules for an honest bar graph

Start the value axis at zero. A cut-off axis makes small differences look large, because the eye compares bar lengths.
Use one colour for one data series; colours should mean something, not decorate.
For several series – say two shops side by side – add a header line such as “Fruit; Shop A; Shop B” and the bars are grouped with a legend.
A bar graph shows categories. For a distribution of measured values use a histogram, for shares of a whole a pie chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a bar graph online?

Type or paste your data, one category and value per line, and the graph is drawn immediately. Then pick the orientation and order and save it as PNG or SVG.

What is the difference between a bar graph and a histogram?

A bar graph compares separate categories, and the bars can be put in any order. A histogram shows how measured values are spread over consecutive intervals, so its bars touch and their order is fixed.

When should the bars be horizontal?

When the category names are long or there are many categories. Horizontal bars keep the labels readable; vertical bars suit time sequences such as months.

Can I compare several data series?

Yes. Separate the columns with a tab or semicolon and name the series in the first line, for example “Fruit; Shop A; Shop B”. Each category then gets one bar per series.

Is my data uploaded?

No. The graph is drawn in your browser, and the PNG or SVG file is created on your device.

Sources and legal basis

As of: 4 October 2026 · Editorial policy