# Flow

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

**Definition.** A flow is volume moving from one stage or place to another. Flow charts draw it as bands or ribbons as wide as the amount.

Updated Nov 2, 2026

## 031 · Sankey

- **01 Sources.** Where the volume starts, on the left.
- **02 The bands.** Each band is as wide as the volume it carries.

## Where you see it

- [031 · Sankey](https://usechartory.com/charts/sankey): Flow between steps · E-commerce data
- [048 · Chord](https://usechartory.com/charts/chord): Flow between steps · Crypto data
- [032 · Funnel](https://usechartory.com/charts/funnel): Flow between steps · SaaS data

## Common mistakes

- **Many thin bands** Group small sources into Other so the main flows stay readable.
- **A flow with one path** One source and one target is just a bar.

## Questions

### Sankey or funnel?

A funnel for one path that narrows; a sankey when volume splits and merges.

### Do both sides add up?

In a sankey, yes: everything that leaves a source lands in an outcome.

## Related terms

- [Hierarchy](https://usechartory.com/glossary/hierarchy): Parts that sit inside other parts, several levels deep.
- [Share](https://usechartory.com/glossary/share): A part divided by its total, read as a percent.
- [Category](https://usechartory.com/glossary/category): A named group a mark belongs to, such as a plan or a region.

## Sankey, chord, funnel and the other types.

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