# Delta

> A chart word, with the charts that use it.

**Definition.** A delta is the change against an earlier period, shown next to the hero value. It answers whether the number is up or down, and by how much.

Updated Nov 2, 2026

## 001 · Bars · Hearth widget

- **01 The hero value.** The number the card is about.
- **02 The delta.** The change against the earlier period, with its comparison named beside it.

## Where you see it

- [001 · Bars](https://usechartory.com/charts/bars): Compare items · Fintech data
- [046 · Bar and line combo](https://usechartory.com/charts/bar-and-line-combo): Change over time · SaaS data
- [104 · Runs with brush](https://usechartory.com/charts/runs-with-brush): Change over time · AI data

## Common mistakes

- **A delta with no comparison** +4% against what? Name the period: vs August, vs last week.
- **Colour that fights meaning** A rise in churn is bad news. Colour the delta by what it means, not only by its sign.

## Questions

### Should a delta be a percent or an amount?

A percent for rates of change, an amount when the size of the change matters more.

### Where does the delta sit?

Next to the hero value, with the comparison it is measured against.

## Related terms

- [Share](https://usechartory.com/glossary/share): A part divided by its total, read as a percent.
- [Time series](https://usechartory.com/glossary/time-series): Values recorded at regular moments, drawn left to right.
- [Baseline](https://usechartory.com/glossary/baseline): The zero or reference line that bars grow from.

## Every Hearth widget, with its hero and delta.

In Figma and React, in four sizes, light and dark. Pay once, every update. [See plans](https://usechartory.com/pricing)

Every chart word, A to Z. [Open the glossary](https://usechartory.com/glossary)