Bars vs horizontal bars Two ways to compare amounts.
Short answer
Use vertical bars for a few items or for periods of time, read left to right. Use horizontal bars when names are long or there are many items, so the list reads top to bottom.
Updated Nov 2, 2026 · Logistics sample data
Same 8 hubs
Both rank the same numbers. The rows give every name its full length and read like a list; the columns fit a wide, short card. Rotterdam delivers three times as many parcels as Porto (1,312 against 401).
If you ask
Common mistakes Bars Long names on a slant. Tilted labels are hard to read. Turn the chart sideways.
Too many columns. Past about twelve, bars turn into a comb.
Horizontal bars Time running down the page. Readers expect time left to right.
Rows in random order. Sort by value unless the order means something.
Other ways to show it Deposits by region New deposits in October by region, $1634K in total: East $478K, Midwest $386K, South $596K, West $174K. $478K $386K $596K $174K EAST MIDWEST SOUTH WEST Deposits by region New deposits in October by region, $1634K in total: East $478K, Midwest $386K, South $596K, West $174K. $478k $386k $596k $174k East Midwest South West Deposits by region Region Deposits East $478K Midwest $386K South $596K West $174K
Deposits by region New deposits in October by region, $1634K in total: East $478K, Midwest $386K, South $596K, West $174K. $478K $386K $596K $174K EAST MIDWEST SOUTH WEST Deposits by region New deposits in October by region, $1634K in total: East $478K, Midwest $386K, South $596K, West $174K. $478k $386k $596k $174k East Midwest South West Deposits by region Region Deposits East $478K Midwest $386K South $596K West $174K
Q3 goals Q3 goals, actual against target: revenue $428K of $500K, orders 6,120 of 7,000, avg order $70 of $68, repeat buyers 31% of 35%. Revenue USD $428K OF $500K Orders COUNT 6,120 OF 7,000 Avg order USD $70 OF $68 Repeat buyers SHARE 31% OF 35% ACTUAL TARGET RANGES Q3 goals Q3 goals, actual against target: revenue $428K of $500K, orders 6,120 of 7,000, avg order $70 of $68, repeat buyers 31% of 35%. Revenue USD Orders Count Avg order USD Repeat buyers Share $428k of $500k 6,120 of 7,000 $70 of $68 31% of 35% Actual Target Ranges Q3 goals Goal Unit Actual Target Revenue Usd $428K $500K Orders Count 6,120 7,000 Avg order Usd $70 $68 Repeat buyers Share 31% 35%
Q3 goals Q3 goals, actual against target: revenue $428K of $500K, orders 6,120 of 7,000, avg order $70 of $68, repeat buyers 31% of 35%. Revenue USD $428K OF $500K Orders COUNT 6,120 OF 7,000 Avg order USD $70 OF $68 Repeat buyers SHARE 31% OF 35% ACTUAL TARGET RANGES Q3 goals Q3 goals, actual against target: revenue $428K of $500K, orders 6,120 of 7,000, avg order $70 of $68, repeat buyers 31% of 35%. Revenue USD Orders Count Avg order USD Repeat buyers Share $428k of $500k 6,120 of 7,000 $70 of $68 31% of 35% Actual Target Ranges Q3 goals Goal Unit Actual Target Revenue Usd $428K $500K Orders Count 6,120 7,000 Avg order Usd $70 $68 Repeat buyers Share 31% 35%
Price watch Our price is lower than the rival's on 4 of 6 products; the widest gaps are −$10 (Trail runner, Fleece mid) and +$7 (Rain shell). $0 $50 $100 $150 $200 Trail runner −$10 Rain shell +$7 Fleece mid −$10 Daypack 20L −$5 Wool beanie +$5 Hiking pole −$6 OUR PRICE RIVAL PRICE Price watch Our price is lower than the rival's on 4 of 6 products; the widest gaps are −$10 (Trail runner, Fleece mid) and +$7 (Rain shell). $0 $50 $100 $150 $200 Trail runner −$10 Rain shell +$7 Fleece mid −$10 Daypack 20L −$5 Wool beanie +$5 Hiking pole −$6 Our price Rival price Price watch Product Our price Rival price Gap Trail runner $129 $139 −$10 Rain shell $179 $172 +$7 Fleece mid $79 $89 −$10 Daypack 20L $64 $69 −$5 Wool beanie $29 $24 +$5 Hiking pole $49 $55 −$6
Price watch Our price is lower than the rival's on 4 of 6 products; the widest gaps are −$10 (Trail runner, Fleece mid) and +$7 (Rain shell). $0 $50 $100 $200 Trail runner −$10 Rain shell +$7 Fleece mid −$10 Daypack 20L −$5 Wool beanie +$5 Hiking pole −$6 OUR PRICE RIVAL PRICE Price watch Our price is lower than the rival's on 4 of 6 products; the widest gaps are −$10 (Trail runner, Fleece mid) and +$7 (Rain shell). $0 $50 $100 $150 $200 Trail runner −$10 Rain shell +$7 Fleece mid −$10 Daypack 20L −$5 Wool beanie +$5 Hiking pole −$6 Our price Rival price Price watch Product Our price Rival price Gap Trail runner $129 $139 −$10 Rain shell $179 $172 +$7 Fleece mid $79 $89 −$10 Daypack 20L $64 $69 −$5 Wool beanie $29 $24 +$5 Hiking pole $49 $55 −$6
Questions Is a horizontal bar chart the same as a bar chart? Yes, turned sideways. Some call vertical bars a column chart.
Which one ranks better? Horizontal bars: a sorted list reads top to bottom.
Do both come in every size? Yes. Bars and Horizontal bars come in XS, S, M and L, each laid out again for its size, in light and dark.
Do they install the same way? Yes, one command each: npx shadcn add @chartory/bars and npx shadcn add @chartory/horizontal-bars.