Pie/Donut Charts: Recommended Style and Tips

 

 

Use a Pie/Donut Chart:

​

• To show the relative relationship between no more than five variables;

• When you have data points that are significantly different. Pie/donut charts with near equal values do not convey and are difficult to discern visually;

• When comparing the percentage of a whole;

• To display a single point in time.​

​​

Recommended Style 

 

1. Segments: Segment pie/donut slices from largest to smallest clockwise. The largest segment should start at the top, 12 o’clock. 

2. Color: The pie/donut chart should be one color. Labeling near or on the slice will negate the need for color coding. Highlight the important slice mono chromatically using a different shade of the same color. See approved colors.

3. Number of Slices: Limit the number of slices to no more than five. If you have more than five, consider a horizontal bar chart.

4. Labeling: Label directly on the pie/donut slice or next to the slice. If a legend is needed, place it on the middle right of the pie/donut chart. Font type: Calibri Light. Font size: 11.

5. Values: When possible, remove excessive zeros from values. 

6. Title: Begin your title with the portion mark classification, followed by Figure #: Title. Font type: Calibri Regular. Font size: 14.

7. Classification and Sourcing: Below the pie/donut chart, bottom left, list the overall classification of the chart and directly below the classification, list the source and source stream/s. Font type: Calibri Light Italic. Font size: 9.

​​

Tips

 

• Do not compare pie/donut charts side by side. Comparisons of area are difficult to interpret. Use stacked bar charts instead.

• Do not make a pie/donut chart 3D. 3D effects visually skews the data. 

• Do not use a pie/donut chart when values are similar. Similar values are difficult to compare. Use a bar chart instead.

​​

Use a Pie/Donut Chart:

 

• To show the relative relationship between no more than five variables;

• When you have data points that are significantly different. Pie/donut charts with near equal values do not convey and are difficult to discern visually;

• When comparing the percentage of a whole;

• To display a single point in time.