Radial Bar Charts: Examples, Best Practices, and How to Create

Data visualization is often a balancing act between precision and engagement. While traditional bar charts are the gold standard for comparing values accurately, they can sometimes feel repetitive or fail to capture attention in a dense dashboard.

Enter the radial bar chart: a circular alternative that transforms linear data into an engaging visual format. Often used to highlight progress toward a goal, compare cyclical data or simply add aesthetic variety, radial bar charts have become a staple in modern dashboard design.

However, their unique circular layout presents specific challenges. Since human eyes are better at comparing straight lines than curved ones, you’ll need to be thoughtful about using a radial bar chart. If used incorrectly, they can distort data or confuse the viewer. Used well, though, they can turn a plain metric into a compelling story.

In this guide, you will learn exactly what radial bar charts are and how they work. You will also discover when to use them (and when to avoid them), design best practices to keep them clear, and the steps to create your own. 

Whether you’re building a fitness tracker app or a corporate sales dashboard, understanding the mechanics of this chart type will help you visualize your data more effectively.

What is a radial bar chart?

A radial bar chart is a bar chart plotted on a polar coordinate system rather than a Cartesian one. In simpler terms, it’s a bar chart curled into a circle. Instead of bars extending horizontally or vertically from a straight axis, the bars extend outward from a central point, or wrap around a center circle.

The core idea is that values are shown by the length of the bar along a circular axis. The longer the bar, the higher the value. This circular arrangement gives the chart a compact footprint, making it ideal for dashboards with limited space.

It’s important to recognize the differences between radial bar charts and other circular visualizations. Unlike a pie chart, which uses angles to show parts of a whole, a radial bar chart uses bar length to show magnitude. It is also distinct from a gauge chart, which usually has a single needle or fill indicating a specific value against a fixed scale. A radial bar chart can display multiple categories at once, with each category getting its own track or bar within the circle.

When (and why) to use a radial bar chart

Choosing the right visualization means matching the form to the function. Radial bar charts are not a universal replacement for standard bar charts, but they excel in specific scenarios.

Showing progress toward a goal

One of the most common and effective uses of a radial bar chart is to show progress. For example, think of the activity rings on a smartwatch. The circular completion meter is intuitive: A full circle means one hundred percent completion. When you have multiple goals, such as steps, calories, and stand hours, nesting these radial bars inside one another creates a compact and easy-to-read summary of performance.

Comparing values with a cyclical or visual focus

Sometimes, the data itself is cyclical. For example, visualizing average temperature by month or sales by hour of the day can feel more natural in a circular layout. The radial format supports the idea of a repeating cycle. In infographics or public-facing marketing materials, the appealing look of a radial bar chart can capture attention more effectively than a standard set of bars.

Dashboards where space matters

On mobile displays or crowded executive dashboards, a radial bar chart can fit many details into a square aspect ratio. A horizontal bar chart might require scrolling if there are many categories, while a radial layout contains everything within a set circle.

Benefits of radial bar charts

Visual impact is the main benefit of radial bar charts. They break up the dullness of repeated grids and lines. They’re also very compact, allowing you to show several metrics in a small area without the clutter of multiple axes.

When not to use them

Despite their appeal, there are times you should avoid them. If your primary objective is precise comparison between categories, a linear bar chart is better. It’s hard for people to compare the lengths of curved bars, especially if they have different starting radii, as with nested radial bars. Avoid them if you have a large number of categories, as the outer bars will look significantly longer than inner bars even for the same value, which can mislead the viewer.

How radial bar charts work

Understanding the structure of a radial bar chart is crucial to using it correctly.

Structure

At the center of the chart is a starting point. From this point, a circular axis radiates outward. The bars are plotted along this axis. In a standard radial bar chart, the bars start at the same angle, usually at the top, and extend clockwise. The arc length corresponds to the value.

Single-metric versus multi-category

You can have a single radial bar that works as a progress meter. This is often just a single track filling as a percentage. Alternatively, you can have a multi-category radial bar chart. In this style, different categories (such as sales, marketing, and human resources) are shown as concentric rings (nested radial bar chart) or as bars radiating from the center like spokes on a wheel.

Ordering categories

The ordering of categories matters in a nested radial bar chart. The outer ring’s circumference is much larger than the inner ring’s. If you plot a value of fifty on the outer ring and fifty on the inner ring, the physical length of the outer bar is much longer, even though they show the same data. This is a common visual trap. To address this, categories are often sorted by value, or you use the chart strictly for part-to-whole relationships, where the full circle helps normalize the visuals.

Axis scaling

The scale usually covers zero to a maximum value (often one hundred percent). The baseline must be zero. Cutting the axis short can exaggerate differences even more than in linear charts, due to the curvature.

Types and variants of radial bar charts

Radial bar charts come in a few main forms, each suited to different needs.

Single radial bar (progress-style)

A single radial bar chart is the simplest variant. It looks like a donut chart that does not quite close. It’s used to display a single value against a target, such as seventy-five percent of the budget used. It is clean, minimal, and highly effective for key performance indicators.

Multi-category radial bar chart (nested)

Here, multiple bars are stacked in rings. Imagine three or four progress circles of different sizes inside one another. This is popular in health and fitness apps. It lets you compare different metrics that share a common scale, such as zero to one hundred percent achievement.

Radial column chart (spoke-style)

In this variant, the bars shoot outward from the center like rays. The length of each bar represents the value. This avoids the outer ring length problem, because all bars start from the same point. It works well for cyclical data, such as sales by month, where months are arranged like a clock.

Stacked radial bars

Just like a stacked bar chart, you can stack segments in a radial layout. This is useful for showing how parts make up a whole in circular form. However, this can quickly become hard to read, so use this style with care.

Distinctions from other charts

Radial bar charts can be confused with polar area charts. In a polar area chart, the angle remains the same but the radius (how far it extends) changes. In a radial bar chart (spoke style), the bar’s width stays the same, and the length changes.

Design best practices and pitfalls

Follow these design rules to make sure your radial bar chart informs rather than confuses your audience.

Limit the number of bars

Clutter is the enemy of radial charts. Since inner rings get smaller as you add more, there is a limit to how much you can show clearly. Try to keep nested radial charts to fewer than five categories. If using the spoke style, you can fit more, but make sure there is enough space between bars.

Use consistent color encoding

Color should carry meaning. When showing progress, you might use a color that changes from red to green as the bar fills. For category comparisons, assign each category a clear and distinct color. Avoid using random colors that might suggest false relationships.

Clearly label values

It is difficult to read exact values from a curve, making labels necessary. Place the number at the end of the bar, in the center of the chart, or in a clear legend. Tooltips are helpful for interactive versions.

Ensure intuitive axis scaling

Always use a zero-based scale. Carefully consider the maximum value. For percentages, a complete circle should always be equal to one hundred percent. If bars can go over one hundred percent, such as one hundred twenty percent of the sales goal, design the chart so the bar can overlap itself, spiral, or show the overflow in an obvious way.

Avoid overcrowding the center

The center of a radial chart is small. If you fill it with labels, icons, and numbers, it will get unreadable fast. Use the center for the most important summary information, or leave it blank for a clean look.

Examples and storytelling tips

Every excellent data visualization tells a story. Here’s how to use radial bars to achieve that, helping your audience better understand your data.

Example scenario: Fitness tracking

Consider a dashboard for a runner. A nested radial bar chart fits well here. The outer ring is steps, the middle is distance, and the inner is calories. At a glance, the runner sees three arcs. If the steps arc is nearly a full circle, they know they are close to their goal. The story is about completion and activity, not precise numbers.

Example scenario: Seasonal sales

Retailers can use a spoke-style radial chart to show sales by month. January appears at one o’clock, if the chart were a clock, December at twelve. If the bars stretch farther during the holiday season, viewers see the business’s seasonality instantly. This shape reinforces the yearly cycle.

Guiding the reader’s eye

Use color to highlight what matters most. If one category is underperforming, color that bar red and the others gray. This draws attention to the area of concern.

Using annotations

Do not rely on the chart alone. Add a note next to it explaining what stands out. For example, “Sales peaked in quarter four,” with an arrow to the largest radial section, helps readers draw the correct conclusions.

How to create a radial bar chart

Follow these steps to create a clear, effective radial bar chart:

1. Prepare your data

• Start with a clean data set. You should have:
  
  • One column for categories (e.g., months, departments, goals).
  • One column for values (e.g., sales, percentages, counts).
• If your chart will show progress or proportions, calculate percentages beforehand, unless your tool can do this for you.

2. Choose the right tool

• Spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets, etc.):
  
  1. There is no native radial bar chart, so use a workaround.
  2. Create a donut or pie chart using your data.
  3. Adjust the angles or segment values to mimic bar lengths.
  4. Change segment colors and remove unwanted labels to enhance clarity.
  5. For more flexibility, use XY (scatter) or polar plots and compute X/Y positions for the bar ends.
• Business intelligence platforms (Domo):
  
  1. Search for a “radial bar” or “circular bar” custom visualization or extension.
  2. Install or enable it if needed.
  3. Assign your category and value fields to the appropriate inputs in the chart builder.
  4. Ensure the visual is mapped correctly and preview your chart.

3. Design and customize

• Set the start angle (usually at the top, like 12 o’clock) for intuitive reading.
• Adjust the inner radius for donut/nested styles, ensure enough space for labels and to avoid clutter.
• Pick distinct colors for each category for easy comparison; use a color legend if needed.
• Set bar thickness so all categories are legible and equally weighted visually.
• Add clear, concise labels, either inside the chart or around the circles. For interactive charts, set up tooltips with exact values.
• Remove grid lines or unnecessary chart elements that add visual noise.

4. Quality check and refine

• Double-check that all values match the visual presentation.
• Compare the radial chart to a linear bar chart to ensure trends and relationships make sense and are not distorted.
• Make certain that values start at zero for a fair comparison.
• Preview on different screen sizes to confirm readability.

5. Common pitfalls to avoid and alternatives

• Data normalization: Always convert values to the same scale (e.g., percent of goal) before plotting in a nested radial chart.
• Too many categories: Limit the number of categories to avoid overcrowding and overlapping labels.
• Confusing start angles: Begin the chart at the top for easy interpretation.
• Overcrowding the center: Place only essential information in the chart’s center, or leave it blank for clarity.

By following these steps, you’ll create radial bar charts that are accurate, visually engaging, and easy for viewers to interpret.

Being honest about limitations is essential for effective data use. Radial bar charts are visually appealing, but they are not the best tool for all jobs.

Difficulty comparing similar values

If category A is forty-five percent and category B is forty-seven percent, it is very hard to tell on a radial chart. On a linear chart, the difference would be clear. If you need precise comparisons, radial bars are not the right choice.

Lower precision

Because the axes are not linear, it is harder for viewers to decode values. People do not naturally estimate arc length well. Radial charts are better for quick impressions, not deep analysis.

Alternatives

• Standard bar chart: Choose this for precise comparisons and ranking.
• Gauge chart: Good for showing progress on a single metric when you want to mimic a meter.
• Donut chart: Useful when showing how parts add up to one hundred percent.
• Lollipop chart: This lighter alternative to a bar chart uses dots on sticks, maintaining clarity for individual comparisons.

Conclusion and key takeaways about radial bar charts

Radial bar charts are a powerful data visualization option when your goal is to capture attention and provide a snapshot, rather than show exact comparisons. They maximize visual impact, save space, and support storytelling for progress or cyclical data.

Still, they are not a universal substitute. If accuracy and detailed comparison matter, or if you must show a large data set, a simple bar chart remains best.

Use radial bar charts to highlight key ideas and summarize goals. To ensure your chart works, keep it simple, use color purposefully, and label clearly.

Modern data platforms support radial bar charts, making it easy to use these engaging visuals in your interactive dashboards. Whether tracking key business metrics or personal goals, the right chart helps everyone understand the data at a glance.