# Histogram vs box plot

> Two ways to show a spread.

**Short answer.** Use a histogram to see the full shape of one group: where values pile up and how long the tail is. Use a box plot to compare the spread of several groups side by side in five numbers each.

Updated Nov 2, 2026 · AI sample data

## 006 · Histogram

All 4,000 requests in 50 ms bins: one shape, one tail.

Response times, histogram. 4,000 requests to four models in 50 ms bins from 0 to 900 ms; 22 took longer than 900 ms.

| Response time | Requests |
| --- | --- |
| 0–50 ms | 1 |
| 50–100 ms | 65 |
| 100–150 ms | 270 |
| 150–200 ms | 450 |
| 200–250 ms | 591 |
| 250–300 ms | 577 |
| 300–350 ms | 513 |
| 350–400 ms | 414 |
| 400–450 ms | 321 |
| 450–500 ms | 211 |
| 500–550 ms | 180 |
| 550–600 ms | 135 |
| 600–650 ms | 101 |
| 650–700 ms | 47 |
| 700–750 ms | 35 |
| 750–800 ms | 32 |
| 800–850 ms | 23 |
| 850–900 ms | 12 |
| Over 900 ms | 22 |

## 043 · Box plot

The same requests split by model, five numbers each.

Response times by model, box plot. Response times of four models, 1,000 requests each, in ms: Atlas 3 median 257, middle half 195–336; Kite 2 median 311, middle half 242–406; Orion median 414, middle half 329–531; Nova median 234, middle half 162–344.

| Model | Min | Q1 | Median | Q3 | Max |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Atlas 3 | 57 | 195 | 257 | 336 | 711 |
| Kite 2 | 96 | 242 | 311 | 406 | 768 |
| Orion | 116 | 329 | 414 | 531 | 936 |
| Nova | 48 | 162 | 234 | 344 | 844 |

**Same 4,000 requests.** The histogram shows the overall shape and the slow tail. The box plot gives up the shape to compare the four models' medians and middle halves at a glance.

## If you ask

| Question | Use a |
| --- | --- |
| What does the spread look like? | Histogram |
| Which group is slowest? | Box plot |
| Is there more than one peak? | Histogram |
| How do four groups compare? | Box plot |

## Histogram and Box plot compared

|  | Histogram | Box plot |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Answers | How values spread in one group | How spreads compare between groups |
| Shows | Bars per range of values | A box, a median and whiskers per group |
| Best when | One group, thousands of values | Several groups |
| Avoid when | Comparing many groups | The shape has two peaks |
| Data shape | Many values, in bins | Five numbers per group, plus outliers |

## Common mistakes

### Histogram

- **Too few bins.** The peak flattens into a block.
- **Groups overlaid.** Overlapping histograms hide each other; use a box plot or ridgeline.

### Box plot

- **A box for a few values.** With few values, show the points.
- **Two peaks hidden.** A box can't show two peaks; check the histogram first.

## Other ways to show it

- [055 · Ridgeline](https://usechartory.com/charts/ridgeline): Distribution · AI data
- [033 · Dot strip](https://usechartory.com/charts/dot-strip): Distribution · Fintech data
- [050 · Dot plot with intervals](https://usechartory.com/charts/dot-plot-with-intervals): Distribution · Logistics data

## Histogram, box plot and the other 130 types.

In Figma and React, in four sizes, light and dark. Pay once, every update. [See plans](https://usechartory.com/pricing). [Histogram type page](https://usechartory.com/charts/histogram) · [Box plot type page](https://usechartory.com/charts/box-plot)

## Questions

### Can a box plot show the mean?

It shows the median; add the mean as a mark if you need it.

### What counts as an outlier?

Usually a value more than 1.5 times the box's height beyond the box.

### Do both come in every size?

Yes. Histogram and Box plot 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/histogram and npx shadcn add @chartory/box-plot.

## More comparisons

- [Slope vs dumbbell](https://usechartory.com/compare/slope-vs-dumbbell)
- [Gantt vs block timeline](https://usechartory.com/compare/gantt-vs-block-timeline)
- [Sankey vs chord](https://usechartory.com/compare/sankey-vs-chord)
- [Candlestick vs line](https://usechartory.com/compare/candlestick-vs-line)

Still not sure? Start from what the chart has to show. [Open the Chart Chooser](https://usechartory.com/chooser)