Quarterly costs
Show how cost categories contribute to each quarterly total.
Q1 totals 100: 60 for staff, 25 for materials and 15 for other costs.
Use template →Stacked Bar Graph Maker
Use this free stacked bar chart maker to show how components contribute to each total. Edit a segmented bar graph, switch between vertical and horizontal bars, 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.
Sales by channel
Compare total sales and the channel mix for each region.
North totals 120 units across online and store sales.
Use template →Project hours
Break down project effort into planning, build and review.
Website work totals 80 hours across three stages.
Use template →Related graph makers
How to make a stacked bar chart
- 1
Add components in separate columns
Put category names in the first column and one numeric component in each following column. Use components measured in the same unit.
- 2
Choose your layout
Keep Stacked selected under Bar layout. Use Vertical or Horizontal for orientation. Add series for another component, or edit the legend labels in the table headers.
- 3
Review totals and download
Read each segment as a component value and the full positive bar as its total. Customize colors and titles, then download PNG or SVG.
What is a stacked bar graph?
A stacked bar graph joins component values into one bar for each category. Each colored segment represents a part, and the combined bar shows the total when all components are nonnegative.
Stacked bar charts are also called segmented bar graphs. They help compare overall totals and their composition. Middle segments do not share a baseline, so use grouped bars when precise component comparisons matter more.
This tool uses raw values rather than normalizing bars to 100%. Positive and negative values stack separately around zero; a mixed-sign bar is not a single part-to-whole total. Missing cells create no segment and are not imputed.
Stacked bar chart example
Illustrative quarterly costs in thousands of dollars. Q1 totals 100 and Q3 totals 125. The Total column here explains the example; do not add it as a component in the editor or you would double-count the values.
| Quarter | Staff | Materials | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 60 | 25 | 15 | 100 |
| Q2 | 65 | 30 | 20 | 115 |
| Q3 | 70 | 35 | 20 | 125 |
Stacked vs grouped bar charts
Choose whether totals or separate component comparisons matter most.
Stacked: totals and composition
Join additive components into one bar. Compare total quarterly costs while showing staff, materials and other spending within each total.
Grouped: individual comparisons
Place series side by side on a common baseline. Use the Bar layout radios to compare individual values without changing your table.
When to use a stacked bar graph
Use additive components with consistent units and clearly named series.
Budget breakdowns
Compare spending totals and their component costs across periods or departments.
Sales channels
Show how online and store sales contribute to each regional sales total.
Project effort
Combine planning, build and review hours to compare project workloads.
Stacked bar graph maker features
Real stacked segments
Numeric series share a stack within each category instead of appearing side by side.
Vertical and horizontal
Choose columns for short categories or sideways bars for longer labels.
Grouped comparison
Switch between Grouped and Stacked without replacing your data.
Editable templates
Start with quarterly costs, sales channels or project hours and keep your current graph in My graphs.
Local saving
Keep up to 20 graphs on this page in the current browser, separate from the other bar pages.
PNG and SVG export
Download the current chart without a watermark, or export CSV values and a project backup.
Stacked and segmented bar graph questions
Answers about component totals, orientation, missing values and downloads.
How do I make a stacked bar graph?
Enter categories in the first column and component values in the following columns. Select Stacked under Bar layout, then customize and download your chart.
Is a segmented bar graph the same as a stacked bar chart?
Segmented bar graph commonly describes the same divided-bar layout. This page stacks raw values; it does not automatically convert them to percentages.
Does this create a 100% stacked chart?
No. Bars use the original numeric values and may have different totals. Automatic 100% normalization is not included.
Can I stack bars horizontally?
Yes. Choose Horizontal under Bar orientation. Components extend sideways within each category.
Can I use negative or missing values?
Positive and negative values stack separately on opposite sides of zero. Missing cells produce no segment. For a part-to-whole comparison, use complete nonnegative values.
How do I read the segment labels?
Labels show original component values, not cumulative totals. Use the tooltip to inspect values, especially when a segment is too small to read.
Is the stacked bar maker free?
Yes. Create and download charts without signup or a watermark. Graphs are stored in this browser; download a project backup for safekeeping.