Product rankings
Read a largest-first ranking from top to bottom.
Headphones have 120 sales and keyboards have 95.
Use template →Horizontal Bar Graph Maker
Use this horizontal bar chart maker to compare categories with sideways bars. Start with a ranked example, edit your labels and values, and download PNG or SVG.
- Free to use
- No watermark
- No signup
- Data stays in your browser
Graph editor
Loading your locally saved graph…
Templates open new graphs and keep your current work. Up to 20 per page, saved in this browser.
Start with a bar graph template
Choose an editable example. Each template opens a new graph and keeps your current work in My graphs. All values are illustrative.
Survey choices
Make longer response labels easy to read.
Public transport leads with 86 responses. Rows are already ranked.
Use template →Department budgets
Compare named departments on one budget scale.
Customer support has a budget of 84 thousand dollars.
Use template →Related graph makers
How to make a horizontal bar chart
- 1
Add category labels and values
Use the first column for category names and the next column for numeric values. Replace the sample, paste a table, or upload CSV data.
- 2
Arrange your comparison
The graph follows your table order from top to bottom. Arrange the rows from largest to smallest for a ranking, or retain a meaningful category order.
- 3
Customize and download
Keep Horizontal selected in Bar orientation. Edit titles, colors and value labels in Customize, then download a PNG or SVG chart.
What is a horizontal bar graph?
A horizontal bar graph places category names on the vertical axis and numeric values on the horizontal axis. Each bar extends sideways from zero; a longer bar represents a larger value.
Horizontal bars give category labels more room than vertical columns. They work well for rankings, survey choices and named groups. Very long labels may still be shortened to fit the preview.
The editor preserves your row order rather than sorting automatically. Keep ordered categories in their natural sequence; use descending values when the main message is a ranking.
Horizontal bar chart example
Illustrative response counts for community priorities, already arranged largest first. Public transport has 86 responses and parks and recreation has 72, a difference of 14. These are sample values, not survey research.
| Priority | Responses |
|---|---|
| Public transport | 86 |
| Parks and recreation | 72 |
| Street maintenance | 58 |
| Library services | 41 |
| Community events | 29 |
Compare multiple series horizontally
Orientation and grouping are separate choices. A horizontal chart can show one bar or several bars per category.
One series for a ranking
Keep one numeric column to compare response counts or totals across categories, as in the example above.
Add a second series
Choose Add series and enter values for a second group or period. Rename the column header so its meaning appears in the legend.
Use the same units
Grouped horizontal bars compare separate values on one scale. Keep all series in the same unit; these bars are side by side rather than stacked.
Horizontal bars vs vertical columns
Both layouts compare the same values. Choose the direction that makes the categories easier to read.
Horizontal: named categories and rankings
Use horizontal bars when category labels need room or you want to read a ranking from top to bottom. Values run left to right, and the table keeps control of category order.
Vertical: compact labels and discrete periods
Vertical columns can work well for short category names or separate monthly totals. Use the orientation radio buttons to compare both layouts without changing your data.
When to use horizontal bar charts
Use the layout when named categories matter more than a continuous time trend.
Rank products or teams
Compare sales totals, scores or completed work. Arrange the table rows in the ranking order you want readers to see.
Compare survey choices
Show counts for clearly labeled choices. Explain whether respondents could select more than one answer.
Read longer category names
Give department, service or project labels more room beside the bars, while keeping the number of categories manageable.
Horizontal bar graph maker features
Horizontal by default
Open directly in horizontal mode and switch between Vertical and Horizontal using the orientation radios.
Table-controlled order
Categories appear top to bottom in the order of your data rows, with no automatic sorting.
Grouped horizontal bars
Add numeric columns to compare two or more datasets within each category, with a named legend.
Live data editing
Edit labels and values, paste a table, or import CSV data to update the chart.
Local project saving
Your chart is saved in this browser separately from the main bar and grouped bar pages.
PNG and SVG export
Download a chart without a watermark for an assignment, report or presentation.
Horizontal bar chart questions
Answers about sideways bars, category order, grouped series and downloads.
How do I make a horizontal bar graph?
Enter category labels in the first column and values in the next. This page starts with Horizontal selected. Edit the sample data, customize your chart and download PNG or SVG.
Is a horizontal bar chart the same as a sideways bar graph?
Yes. Both names describe bars extending horizontally, with category labels on the vertical axis and values on the horizontal axis.
Does the maker sort my bars automatically?
No. The chart follows your table order from top to bottom. Arrange rows before pasting or importing when you want a largest-to-smallest ranking.
Can I create a horizontal double bar graph?
Yes. Choose Add series to add a second numeric column, then name the header and enter values. The chart places the two series side by side within each category.
Can I switch back to vertical bars?
Yes. Select Vertical in Bar orientation. Your category labels, numeric values and series names stay in the table.
Can I use negative or missing values?
Negative values extend to the left of zero. Leave a missing value blank to omit it; enter 0 only when zero is the actual observation.
Is this horizontal bar chart maker free?
Yes. Create charts without signup and export PNG or SVG without a watermark. Graph data is processed and saved locally in your browser.