The diverging bar chart can be used to visualize the comparison of categories. The design especially support the visualization of opposing categories.
Work best when the bars are sorted afterward. Depending on the topic, sort by most positive, or by most negative.
Also known as: paired bar chart, back to back bar chart, spine chart
When to use
Use when visualizing the outcome of a questionnaire about new products. Number of positive responses go to the right, number of negative results go to the left.
How to read
Start reading at the center of the chart. The diverging bar chart enhances the normal bar chart with an extra design component. The data series do not start at the left side of the chart, but in the middle.
Length of the bars is used to show to the values. The longer the bar, the higher the value.
Bars to the right and to the left both have positive values.
Color is used to separate the left pointing bars from the right pointing bars.
Optional color can be used to give the bars meaning. For example good and bad.
How to make
Charts related to
Barchart, grouped bar chart, histogram