Free Sankey Diagram Maker
Paste source,target,value rows and map flows between categories.
Try:
Configuration
Coal
Electricity
Gas
Industry
Homes
Losses
Export
Preview
How to Make a Sankey Diagram (3 Steps)
- Paste source, target, value rows — one per line (e.g.
Coal,Power,500) - Adjust node width and padding to fit your diagram
- Save as PNG, SVG, or PDF — no watermark added
What is a Sankey Diagram?
A Sankey diagram visualizes flows between nodes. The width of each flow arrow is proportional to its value, making it easy to see where the largest quantities go. Common uses include energy systems, budget allocation, website traffic funnels, and supply chains.
Sankey Diagram Use Cases
- Energy flow — coal → electricity → industry, homes, losses
- Budget allocation — revenue → departments → expenses
- Website funnel — traffic sources → pages → conversions
- Supply chain — suppliers → factories → distribution
- Survey responses — demographics → answer choices
FAQ
Can nodes appear in multiple places?
Yes — a node like “Electricity” can receive flows from Coal and Gas, and then send flows to Industry, Homes, and Losses. Just use the same name consistently.
How many nodes can I have?
This tool handles up to ~30 nodes effectively. For very large diagrams, consider grouping small flows into an “Other” category.
Related Tools
- Line Graph Maker — Track ordered values and changes over time.
Related Guides
- What Is a Sankey Diagram? — Nodes, links, flow width, and when Sankey diagrams reveal what tables hide.
- How to Make a Sankey Diagram Online — Step-by-step guide with ready-to-paste example datasets.
- What Chart Should I Use? — A decision guide covering every major chart type.
Further Reading
- Wikipedia: Sankey Diagram — History and design principles of Sankey diagrams, named after Captain Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey who used them for steam engine efficiency in 1898.
- Wikipedia: Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey — Biography of the Irish engineer whose energy flow diagrams gave this chart type its name.
- Data-to-Viz: Sankey Diagram Guide — When to use Sankey diagrams, common pitfalls, and best practices for layout and readability.
- Tableau: Sankey Chart Reference — Practical guidance on designing effective Sankey diagrams for business and analytical use cases.