In our Data Visualization 101 series, we cover each chart type to help you sharpen your data visualization skills.
For a general data refresher, start here.
So far in our series, we’ve dealt with tools for clearly displaying two dimensions of data, but what happens when you have a third or fourth? Do you use a bar chart and stack bars with different variables next to one another? Do you use multiple graphs and compare the results?
Welcome to the bubble chart. This incredibly versatile chart form can be used to visualize a data set with two to four dimensions, all in one elegant and easy to interpret chart.
What It Is
In its most basic form, the bubble chart communicates two dimensions of data: one, a numerical value visualized in the scale of its circular bubbles, and the second in what each bubble represents. Simply put, larger bubbles equal larger values.