Type or paste your categories and numbers. The bar graph is drawn at once — add a title and axis labels, then save it as a PNG.
Copy the cells in Excel or Google Sheets and paste them straight in. Add a third column (for example "Last year") and tick it to get a double bar graph.
About the Bar Graph Maker
This free bar graph maker turns a list of names and numbers into a clean bar graph. Type or paste your data, add a title and the axis labels, and download the graph as a PNG. It is quick enough for homework and good enough for a work report.
The page opens with a class survey — "Favorite fruit in our class" — so you can see how it works. Type over it with your own data. Nothing is uploaded: the graph is drawn in your browser.
Features
- Vertical or horizontal bars — horizontal bars leave room for long names
- Double bar graphs — tick two or more number columns to compare them side by side, with a legend
- Titles and axis labels — a graph title, a bottom label and a side label
- The number on each bar — so nobody has to read it off the grid
- 10 styles — Classic, Minimal, Bold, Dark, Neon, Print, Chalkboard, Notebook, Playful and Elegant
- Paste from Excel or Google Sheets — or open an XLSX, CSV or ODS file
- Download a PNG — up to 1600 pixels wide; Fullscreen for a projector
- Private — works in your browser, nothing is uploaded
Bar graph or pie chart?
A bar graph compares amounts. The length of each bar shows its number, and the eye compares lengths very well — much better than angles. That is why a bar graph is the safe choice for most data.
| Use a bar graph when… | Use a pie chart when… |
|---|---|
| You compare amounts (sales by month, votes per name) | You show parts of one whole (a budget) |
| There are many categories | There are 2 to 6 parts |
| Small differences matter | One big part is the point |
| You compare two sets (this year and last year) | There is one set of numbers |
| Some numbers are negative | All numbers are positive |
For parts of a whole, use the Pie Chart Maker. For a value that changes over time, a line chart is often better — the Chart Maker draws those too.
Tips for a good bar graph
- Start the bars at zero. A bar's length is its value. If the axis starts at 90, a bar of 95 looks twice as long as a bar of 92. The tool starts at zero, and it warns you if you turn that off.
- Sort the bars from big to small, unless the order has a meaning (months, ages, grades).
- Use horizontal bars for long names, like "Strawberry milkshake" or country names.
- Label both axes and write the unit: "Number of students", "Sales ($)".
- One colour is enough for one set of numbers. Use colours to show a second set, not to decorate.
- Leave out 3D effects. They make bars hard to read against the grid.
Make a bar graph for school
Teachers and students use bar graphs to show survey results, tally charts and science data. A typical class task:
- Ask a question — "What is your favorite fruit?"
- Count the answers in a tally chart.
- Write each answer and its count in the box: Apple 8, Banana 6 …
- Add a title and the axis labels, then choose the Chalkboard or Notebook style.
- Download the PNG and put it in your project, or press Fullscreen to show it to the class.
| Fruit | Students |
|---|---|
| Apple | 8 |
| Strawberry | 7 |
| Banana | 6 |
| Grapes | 5 |
| Orange | 4 |
For a double bar graph, add a second column — for example "Boys" and "Girls" — and tick both. The two sets get two colours and a legend.
How to use it
- Type or paste your rows — a name and a number on each line, with a header row if you have one
- Check the columns — choose where the bar names come from, and tick the number column (tick two for a double bar graph)
- Choose vertical or horizontal bars under Chart type
- Add the title and the axis labels, then pick a style
- (Optional) pick your own colours, a bigger picture size, or hide the grid
- Press Download PNG — the picture is ready as soon as the graph changes
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a bar graph?
Type one name and one number on each line, for example "Apple 8". The bar graph appears at once. Add a title and the axis labels, pick a style and press Download PNG.
How do I make a double bar graph?
Add a second column of numbers, for example "Week 1" and "Week 2". Tick both columns under "Numbers come from". Each set gets its own colour, and a legend shows which is which.
What is the difference between a bar graph and a histogram?
A bar graph compares categories (fruits, names, months), with gaps between the bars. A histogram shows how numbers are spread over ranges (0–10, 10–20 …), with the bars touching. This tool makes bar graphs.
Should a bar graph start at zero?
Yes. The length of a bar shows its value, so the axis must start at zero, or the differences look bigger than they are. The tool starts at zero by default.
Can I make a horizontal bar graph?
Yes. Choose Horizontal bars under Chart type. It is the better choice when the names are long or when there are many bars.
Can I make a bar graph from Excel data?
Yes. Copy the cells in Excel or Google Sheets and paste them into the box, or switch to Open a spreadsheet and choose the file. The columns are found for you.
Is my data uploaded?
No. The graph is drawn on your own device. Nothing is sent to a server.
Related tools
- Pie Chart Maker — show parts of a whole with percents
- Chart Maker — line and area charts too
- Average Calculator — the mean, median and mode of your numbers
- Grade Calculator — work out the grades to graph
- Tally Counter — count the answers of a class survey
- Venn Diagram Maker — compare groups in circles
