Chart types
Bar chart maker
Paste your numbers and get a designed bar graph you can drop straight into a deck. Vertical or horizontal, one series or several.
No credit card. Free while in beta.
The basics
What a bar chart is, and when to use one.
A bar chart (or bar graph) compares values across categories using the length of rectangular bars. Vertical bar charts are often called column charts. Horizontal ones suit long category names and rankings.
Lightchart's bar chart generator handles both orientations, plus grouped, stacked and 100% stacked modes when you have more than one series. Every bar is editable, so you can highlight the one that matters and let the rest sit back.
- Comparing one measure across categories, like revenue by region or signups by channel.
- Ranking items from largest to smallest. Horizontal bars read best here.
- Showing a handful of periods side by side, like Q1 to Q4.
- Calling out one standout category with a single accent color.
Step by step
Make a bar chart.
- Step 1
Paste your data
Paste from Excel or Google Sheets, or upload a CSV. Lightchart picks out your categories and values.
- Step 2
Pick the layout
Choose vertical or horizontal. Add a series column to switch between grouped, stacked and stacked % bars.
- Step 3
Refine and export
Highlight a bar, round the corners, toggle value labels, then export a 2× PNG for your slides.
Styling & export
Make it match your brand, then export.
- Bar gap and corner radius sliders for tighter or airier layouts.
- Value labels, total labels on stacked bars, and % of total on horizontal bars.
- Recolor any single bar to highlight it, or apply a saved brand palette.
- Axis titles, gridlines, fonts and number formats like $, % and compact 12.4K.
Guides
Learn more about bar charts.
Related
Other chart types.
Browse everything on the chart types hub, or start at the homepage.
Frequently asked questions
Is this bar graph maker free?
Yes. Lightchart is free while in beta, with no credit card and no trial countdown. Make as many charts as you need and export them as PNGs.
Can I make a column chart?
Yes. A column chart is a vertical bar chart, which is the default orientation. Switch to horizontal bars with one click.
Can I make a double bar graph?
Yes. Add a column that splits your data into series and choose Grouped for bars side by side, or Stacked to show the total.
Can I change the color of one bar?
Yes. Select any bar to recolor it or show just its value. It's the quickest way to point at the bar that matters.
Can I make a histogram?
Not yet. Lightchart doesn't bin raw data into ranges for you. If your data is already grouped into ranges, a bar chart with the bar gap set to zero gets close.
Make your bar chart now.
No credit card. Free while in beta.