Stacked Bar Chart Maker
Compare several series across categories, stacked into one bar per category - free, no signup.
What this tool does
Paste a header row of series names, then one row per category with a value for each series, and this draws a stacked bar chart - one bar per category, divided into coloured segments for each series, so you can see both the total and how each part contributes to it. It reads a straight paste from a spreadsheet, reports anything it could not read, and exports as PNG or SVG.
Draws a stacked bar chart from multi-series data you paste, type or load from a CSV file - each category becomes one bar, split into segments by series.
Shows the grand total across every category and series alongside the chart.
How to use it
- Enter a header row (a blank first cell, then one column name per series), then one row per category with its values.
- Add a Y-axis label and a chart title if you want them.
- Pick a colour palette and export as PNG or SVG.
Why use this chart maker
Stacked bars show totals and their composition together, which is useful when parts and the whole both matter. Building them by hand is tedious.
Why we built it
We built the stacked bar chart maker to explain when a stacked chart answers the question and when a grouped one would. Compare with the grouped bar chart maker and the pie chart maker.
If your task goes further, try the Line Chart Maker, the Area Chart Maker and the Heatmap Generator.
Who this tool is for
- Analysts showing totals and their parts
- Teachers and students
- Managers reporting by team or product
When to use it
- Budgets and cost breakdowns.
- Survey results by group.
- Sales by product and period.
- Showing totals with their parts.
Stacked vs grouped: showing the total, or comparing the parts
The same data, two different questions answered.
A stacked bar chart puts every series in one bar per category, on top of each other, so the full height of the bar shows the category's total and the coloured segments show how much each series contributed. That makes it good for questions like 'which region sold the most overall, and what made up that total?' It's less good for comparing one specific series across categories precisely, because segments in the middle of a stack don't share a common baseline - their heights are harder to compare by eye than bars that start from zero.
If the question is really 'how does Product A compare across regions' rather than 'what's the total per region', a grouped bar chart - with separate side-by-side bars per series instead of a stack - usually answers it more clearly, since every bar then shares the same zero baseline.
Formatting your data correctly
The first line is a header: leave the first cell blank (or put a label like 'Category' there), then list your series names - one per column. Every line after that starts with a category name, followed by one number per series, in the same column order as the header. This is the standard 'wide' spreadsheet format most tools export by default, so a straight copy-paste from a pivot table or summary usually works without reshaping it first.
What you give it, and what you get back
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Input | A header row of series names, then a category and values per row. |
| Output | A stacked chart with the grand total. |
| Export | Save the chart. |
Issues you may run into
| What you see | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Chart will not draw | The header row of series names is missing. | Add a header row. |
| Middle segments are hard to compare | Stacked segments lack a common baseline. | Use a grouped chart. |
| A row is skipped | It does not match the expected format. | Check the message listing unreadable lines and fix them. |
Assumptions and limitations
- This needs a header row of series names to know how many series there are - a plain label,value list (single series) won't parse the way this tool expects; use the bar chart maker for that instead.
- Segment heights in the middle of a stack are visually harder to compare precisely than bars sharing a zero baseline - use the grouped bar chart maker if precise per-series comparison across categories is the main goal.
- The chart is drawn as SVG and exported to PNG at a fixed resolution suited to slides and documents, not large-format print.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a stacked bar chart online for free?
Paste a header row of series names (leave the first cell blank), then one row per category with a value for each series - straight out of a spreadsheet works. The chart draws instantly, and you can download it as a PNG or SVG.
What is the difference between a stacked and a grouped bar chart?
A stacked bar chart puts every series in one bar per category, showing the total at a glance. A grouped bar chart puts them side by side instead, which makes comparing one specific series across categories easier, since every bar shares the same zero baseline.
How do I format my data for a stacked bar chart?
As a header row (blank first cell, then series names), followed by one row per category: a label, then one number per series, in the same order as the header. This is the standard wide format most spreadsheets export by default.
Can I paste data from Excel or Google Sheets?
Yes - copy the header row and the data rows together and paste them straight into the data box. Tabs, commas and semicolons are all detected automatically.
Can I download the chart as an image?
Yes - PNG for a slide, document or social post, or SVG for print or further editing. Both download directly with no watermark.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No. The chart is drawn entirely in your browser using the data you type or paste - nothing is sent to a server, and closing the tab clears it.