A pie chart divides a circle into slices, where each slice represents a category's share of the whole. It is familiar to most people, but it is also easy to use badly.
How to make a pie chart
Paste your data
Open the pie chart maker and enter your categories and values — one per line. The tool calculates percentages automatically.
Choose labels and colors
Enable percentage labels on each slice. Assign distinct colors to each category — avoid using colors that are too similar in adjacent slices.
Download your chart
Save the chart as PNG or PDF.
What pie charts are for
A pie chart works for exactly one question: what share of the total does each category represent?
It only makes sense when:
- Your categories add up to a meaningful whole (100%)
- You have 2–6 slices (more becomes unreadable)
- The differences between slices are large enough to see
Reading a pie chart
- Slice size — proportional to the category's percentage of the total. The eye compares angles and areas — both are hard for humans to judge precisely.
- Labels — always show the percentage on or near each slice. Never make readers guess.
- Exploded slice — a slice pulled slightly out from the center to highlight it. Use sparingly for emphasis.
- Donut chart — a pie chart with the center removed. Functionally identical; the hole can display a total or KPI.
When pie charts fail
- More than 5–6 categories — tiny slivers are unreadable
- Comparing two pie charts side by side — the eye cannot reliably compare angles across charts
- Showing change over time — use a line chart
- When the values are close (e.g., 24% vs 26%) — differences in angle are invisible; use a bar chart instead
When pie charts work
- Showing one dominant category (e.g., one product represents 70% of revenue)
- Budget breakdowns with 3–5 clear categories
- Part-of-whole composition quickly in presentations
- Survey results with a clear majority answer
Pie chart vs bar chart
| Pie chart | Bar chart | |
|---|---|---|
| Shows part-of-whole | Yes | Yes (with 100% stacked) |
| Readable with many categories | No (max 6) | Yes |
| Compares two datasets | No | Yes |
| Shows small differences | No | Yes |
| Familiar to general audiences | Very | Yes |
When in doubt, use a bar chart. It encodes values as length — far easier to compare than angles.
How to make slices readable
Order slices by size (largest first, clockwise from 12 o'clock) unless there is a logical order (e.g., months). Place the largest slice at 12 o'clock so it starts at the most natural reference point.
For colors: use a qualitative palette (distinct hues, similar saturation). Avoid gradients — they imply ordering when none exists.
FAQ
How many slices should a pie chart have?
2–5 is ideal. 6 is workable if one slice is clearly dominant. Beyond 6, group the smallest categories into an "Other" slice, or switch to a bar chart.
Should I use a pie chart or a donut chart?
They are functionally identical. Donut charts look more modern and can display a central metric. Use whichever fits your design context — the data reading is the same.
Can I make a pie chart in Excel?
Yes — select your data, go to Insert → Charts → Pie. For faster results with percentage labels and export options, use our free pie chart maker.
My slices don't add up to 100% — what's wrong?
Pie charts require that all slices sum to a meaningful 100%. If your data represents overlapping categories (e.g., survey respondents selected multiple answers), a pie chart is the wrong chart type. Use a bar chart instead.
How this guide is reviewed
This guide is maintained by the ChartsMakers Editorial Team and reviewed for statistical accuracy, product behavior, and clarity. When a guide relies on software behavior or statistical definitions, we check it against official documentation or established references. See our editorial policy.