Ternary chart
Items placed by three measures that trade off.
Definition · Updated Nov 2, 2026
A ternary chart places each item in a triangle by three measures that pull against each other, such as quality, speed and low cost. The closer to a corner, the stronger on that measure. Use it to compare models or vendors on three trade-offs.
Pay once. Every update included.
Live preview
Sample data: five models placed by quality, speed and low cost
- Data shape
- Three scores per item
- Good for
- Model trade-offs, vendor choice
- Avoid when
- There are more or fewer than three measures
- Sizes
- XS, S, M and L, re-laid out from the data
Anatomy
Inspect it like the Figma file.
The same layers, names and tokens as the component. Select one to read its size, fill and style.
Layers
095 / Ternary
- Layer
- model · kite 2 pro
- Type
- Ellipse
- Size
- 14 × 14
- Fill
- data/cat-2
- Group
- Marks · 5
Layers
095 / Ternary
- Layer
- model · kite 2 pro
- Type
- Ellipse
- Size
- 14 × 14
- Fill
- data/cat-2
- Group
- Marks · 5
Layers
095 / Ternary
- Layer
- model · kite 2 pro
- Type
- Ellipse
- Size
- 14 × 14
- Fill
- data/cat-2
- Group
- Marks · 5
Sizes
Re-laid out, never scaled.
The same data at XS, S, M and L. Every size is redrawn from the data, so text and line weights never shrink.
M against S
Width360 px480 px
Plot328 px440 px
Labels88
Marks55
Height212 px246 px
Same tokens at every size: text styles, 1 px lines and mark radius stay put.
When to use
Three-way trade-offs.
Three signs it fits, and three signs another type fits better.
Code and Figma
One name in Figma and in code.
Every Figma property is a prop with the same name and values. One command installs it.
Figma
chart/095-ternary-models
npx shadcn add @chartory/ternaryimport { Ternary } from "@/components/chartory/ternary"import { modelTradeoffs } from "./model-tradeoffs"export function ModelTradeoffs() { return ( <Ternary data={modelTradeoffs} size="m" legend={false} /> )}Hearth widget
Ternary as a widget.
The chart in a Hearth card with a hero number and two blocks. One token set, light and dark.
EmberPreset
ChartoryDefault preset
Pick the blocks, the size and the preset for your own widget.
Read the Hearth widget docsFAQ
Ternary questions.
What people ask before they put a ternary in a dashboard.
Something else?
hello@usechartory.comThe closer it sits to a corner, the stronger the item is on that measure. A point in the middle is balanced.
Five models in the sample, each labelled by name.
One data object in the sample’s shape: three scores per item. The docs page lists every field and links its JSON Schema; the sample data comes with the component, so you can start from it and swap in your own.
Series take the preset’s data colours in order, and states such as up, down or warning take its status colours. Change the preset in Figma or in code to recolour every chart at once.
XS, S, M and L, in light and dark. Each size is laid out again from the data, so text and lines keep their size.
Yes. It plays in when it scrolls into view, and when the data changes every mark moves from its old place to its new one. With reduced motion on, it does not move.
Yes. The React component is free in the public registry in Hearth, no token needed; Signal comes with Code and Complete. The Figma component comes with Figma and Complete.
Ask for it by name. The MCP server tells the agent what data it needs and runs the same command: npx shadcn add @chartory/ternary. You review the diff.
Related types
Other ways to show relationship.
The same question, a different shape of answer. Every type ships in Figma and in code.
Same family
Relationship
17 types in Chartory answer this question.