# 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

## 031 · Sankey

Chains on the left send, chains on the right receive.

Bridged volume, sankey. $1060M bridged between five chains in the last 7 days; net: Ethereum −$155M, Arbitrum −$30M, Base +$465M, Solana −$75M, Polygon −$205M.

| From | To | Volume |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ethereum | Arbitrum | $140M |
| Ethereum | Base | $210M |
| Ethereum | Solana | $60M |
| Arbitrum | Ethereum | $90M |
| Arbitrum | Base | $120M |
| Base | Ethereum | $40M |
| Base | Solana | $30M |
| Solana | Ethereum | $70M |
| Solana | Base | $95M |
| Polygon | Ethereum | $55M |
| Polygon | Base | $110M |
| Polygon | Arbitrum | $40M |

## 048 · Chord

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

Bridged volume, chord. $1060M bridged between five chains in the last 7 days; net: Ethereum −$155M, Arbitrum −$30M, Base +$465M, Solana −$75M, Polygon −$205M.

| From | To | Volume |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ethereum | Arbitrum | $140M |
| Ethereum | Base | $210M |
| Ethereum | Solana | $60M |
| Arbitrum | Ethereum | $90M |
| Arbitrum | Base | $120M |
| Base | Ethereum | $40M |
| Base | Solana | $30M |
| Solana | Ethereum | $70M |
| Solana | Base | $95M |
| Polygon | Ethereum | $55M |
| Polygon | Base | $110M |
| Polygon | Arbitrum | $40M |
| Ethereum | Net | −$155M |
| Arbitrum | Net | −$30M |
| Base | Net | +$465M |
| Solana | Net | −$75M |
| Polygon | Net | −$205M |

**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

| Question | Use a |
| --- | --- |
| Where does each source end up? | Sankey |
| Who gains and who loses overall? | Chord |
| Do flows run one way? | Sankey |
| Do groups send to each other? | Chord |

## Sankey and Chord compared

|  | Sankey | Chord |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Answers | Where each source's volume goes | How peers trade with each other |
| Shows | Bands from left to right | Ribbons around a circle |
| Best when | Sources to outcomes | Flows between the same groups |
| Avoid when | Groups send and receive | There is a clear left and right |
| Data shape | Source, target and a value per link | An 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

- [064 · Arc diagram](https://usechartory.com/charts/arc-diagram): Relationship · Crypto data
- [032 · Funnel](https://usechartory.com/charts/funnel): Flow between steps · SaaS data
- [039 · Network](https://usechartory.com/charts/network): Relationship · AI data

## Sankey, chord 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). [Sankey type page](https://usechartory.com/charts/sankey) · [Chord type page](https://usechartory.com/charts/chord)

## 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 line](https://usechartory.com/compare/candlestick-vs-line)
- [Bullet vs gauge](https://usechartory.com/compare/bullet-vs-gauge)
- [Radar vs parallel coordinates](https://usechartory.com/compare/radar-vs-parallel-coordinates)
- [Funnel vs sankey](https://usechartory.com/compare/funnel-vs-sankey)

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