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Sankey vs chord

Two ways to show flows.

Short answer

Use a sankey when flows run one way, from sources on the left to outcomes on the right. Use a chord diagram when the same groups send to and receive from each other, and the net in or out matters.

Updated Nov 2, 2026 · Crypto sample data

Bridged volume, sankey$1060M bridged between five chains in the last 7 days; net: Ethereum −$155M, Arbitrum −$30M, Base +$465M, Solana −$75M, Polygon −$205M.Ethereum410Arbitrum210Base70Solana165Polygon205Ethereum255Arbitrum180Base535Solana90
Bridged volume, sankey
FromToVolume
EthereumArbitrum$140M
EthereumBase$210M
EthereumSolana$60M
ArbitrumEthereum$90M
ArbitrumBase$120M
BaseEthereum$40M
BaseSolana$30M
SolanaEthereum$70M
SolanaBase$95M
PolygonEthereum$55M
PolygonBase$110M
PolygonArbitrum$40M

031 · SankeyChains on the left send, chains on the right receive.

Bridged volume, chord$1060M bridged between five chains in the last 7 days; net: Ethereum −$155M, Arbitrum −$30M, Base +$465M, Solana −$75M, Polygon −$205M.Ethereum−$155MNET OUTArbitrum−$30MNET OUTBase+$465MNET INSolana−$75MNET OUTPolygon−$205MNET OUT
Bridged volume, chord
FromToVolume
EthereumArbitrum$140M
EthereumBase$210M
EthereumSolana$60M
ArbitrumEthereum$90M
ArbitrumBase$120M
BaseEthereum$40M
BaseSolana$30M
SolanaEthereum$70M
SolanaBase$95M
PolygonEthereum$55M
PolygonBase$110M
PolygonArbitrum$40M
EthereumNet−$155M
ArbitrumNet−$30M
BaseNet+$465M
SolanaNet−$75M
PolygonNet−$205M

048 · ChordThe same flows around a circle, with each chain's net: Base +$465M.

Same $1060M

The sankey reads each flow from sender to receiver. The chord puts every chain on both sides at once and adds the net: Base gains the most, Polygon loses the most.

If you ask

  • Where does each source end up?

    Use aSankey

  • Who gains and who loses overall?

    Use aChord

  • Do flows run one way?

    Use aSankey

  • Do groups send to each other?

    Use aChord

SankeyChord
AnswersWhere each source's volume goesHow peers trade with each other
ShowsBands from left to rightRibbons around a circle
Best whenSources to outcomesFlows between the same groups
Avoid whenGroups send and receiveThere is a clear left and right
Data shapeSource, target and a value per linkAn amount for each pair of groups

Common mistakes

Sankey

The same group on both sides.When senders also receive, a chord reads better.

Many thin links.Group small ones into Other.

Chord

Too many groups.Past six, ribbons get too thin.

No net shown.Write each group's net in or out.

Other ways to show it

  • Transfer arcs10 transfer links between 7 wallet clusters; the heaviest is CEX to RETAIL with weight 9.CEXMMDEFIBRIDGERETAILMINER
    Transfer arcs
    FromToWeight
    CEXRETAIL9
    CEXMM7
    MMDEFI6
    DEFIBRIDGE4
    WHALECEX8
    RETAILDEFI3
    MINERCEX5
    BRIDGERETAIL2
    MMWHALE3
    DEFIMINER1
    Transfer arcs10 transfer links between 7 wallet clusters; the heaviest is CEX to RETAIL with weight 9.CEXDEFIWHALEMINER
    Transfer arcs
    FromToWeight
    CEXRETAIL9
    CEXMM7
    MMDEFI6
    DEFIBRIDGE4
    WHALECEX8
    RETAILDEFI3
    MINERCEX5
    BRIDGERETAIL2
    MMWHALE3
    DEFIMINER1

    064 · Arc diagramRelationship · Crypto data

  • Trial funnelSeptember trial funnel: 48.2K site visits, 12.4K signups, 5.1K activated, 1.2K paid and 0.4K on an annual plan.Site visits48.2KSignups12.4KActivated5.1K41%Paid1.2K24%Annual0.4K33%
    Trial funnel
    StageCountStep conversion
    Site visits48.2K
    Signups12.4K26%
    Activated5.1K41%
    Paid1.2K24%
    Annual0.4K33%
    Trial funnelSeptember trial funnel: 48.2K site visits, 12.4K signups, 5.1K activated, 1.2K paid and 0.4K on an annual plan.Site visits48.2KSignups12.4KActivated5.1K41%Paid1.2K24%Annual0.4K33%
    Trial funnel
    StageCountStep conversion
    Site visits48.2K
    Signups12.4K26%
    Activated5.1K41%
    Paid1.2K24%
    Annual0.4K33%

    032 · FunnelFlow between steps · SaaS data

  • Agent tool callsTool calls by the Atlas 3 agent this week across 6 tools: Search leads with 12.4K (32%), Files is lowest with 2.7K.AGENTAtlas 3Search12.4K · 32%Code run8.1K · 21%Browser6.2K · 16%SQL5.6K · 15%Email3.4K · 9%Files2.7K · 7%
    Agent tool calls
    ToolCallsShare
    Search12.4K32%
    Code run8.1K21%
    Browser6.2K16%
    SQL5.6K15%
    Email3.4K9%
    Files2.7K7%
    Agent tool callsTool calls by the Atlas 3 agent this week across 6 tools: Search leads with 12.4K (32%), Files is lowest with 2.7K.AGENTAtlas 3Search12.4K · 32%Code run8.1K · 21%Browser6.2K · 16%SQL5.6K · 15%Email3.4K · 9%Files2.7K · 7%
    Agent tool calls
    ToolCallsShare
    Search12.4K32%
    Code run8.1K21%
    Browser6.2K16%
    SQL5.6K15%
    Email3.4K9%
    Files2.7K7%

    039 · NetworkRelationship · AI data

Get both

Sankey, chord and the other 130 types.

In Figma and React, in four sizes, light and dark. Pay once, every update.

031 · Sankey type page048 · Chord type page

See plans

Questions

Can a sankey show flows back?

Not well; a flow back draws a loop. Use a chord for two-way flows.

What is a chord diagram's net?

What a group gained or lost after all flows in and out.

Do both come in every size?

Yes. Sankey and Chord 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/sankey and npx shadcn add @chartory/chord.

More comparisons

Candlestick vs lineBullet vs gaugeRadar vs parallel coordinatesFunnel vs sankey

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