Charts / Glossary
Stacked
A chart word, with the charts that use it.
Definition
Stacked means parts placed on top of each other so the total stays visible. The bottom part reads easily; the parts above it are harder to compare.
Updated Nov 2, 2026
- 01The bottom partStarts from zero, so it reads exactly.
- 02The totalThe top of the stack is the total for the period.
Where you see it
003 · Stacked barsPart of a whole · Fintech data
014 · StreamgraphChange over time · Logistics data
Common mistakes
The part people compare most sits on top
Only the bottom part starts from zero. Put the key part there.
Too many parts
Past four or five the stack turns into stripes. Group the small ones.
Questions
Stacked or grouped?
Stacked when the total matters, grouped when the parts are compared with each other.
Can a stack show shares?
Yes, when each stack is scaled to 100%.
Every chart word, A to Z.
Open the glossary