# The best chart for space and place

> Nine charts, and when each one fits.

**Short answer.** For values by country or state, use a tile map. For events on a surface, such as clicks, use a hex grid. For reach from one point, use isochrone rings, and for a route, a route line. When the ranking matters more than the map, use bars.

Updated Nov 2, 2026 · Logistics sample data

## 029 · Tile map

Every country as an equal tile, shaded by parcels.

Parcels delivered in 16 countries, September 2026, thousands. 57.2K parcels in 16 countries, one tile each, shaded by parcels; Germany 12.4K, Netherlands 10.1K, Belgium 6.8K, France 5.2K lead.

| Country | Parcels |
| --- | --- |
| Germany | 12.4K |
| Netherlands | 10.1K |
| Belgium | 6.8K |
| France | 5.2K |
| Poland | 4.6K |
| Austria | 3.1K |
| Czechia | 2.7K |
| Denmark | 2.4K |
| Sweden | 2.2K |
| Italy | 2.0K |
| Spain | 1.8K |
| United Kingdom | 1.6K |
| Norway | 0.9K |
| Finland | 0.7K |
| Ireland | 0.6K |
| Iceland | 0.1K |

## 007 · Horizontal bars

The same countries ranked: Germany leads with 12.4K.

Parcels delivered, the top eight countries. The eight countries with the most parcels in September: Germany 12.4K, Netherlands 10.1K, Belgium 6.8K, France 5.2K, Poland 4.6K, Austria 3.1K, Czechia 2.7K, Denmark 2.4K.

| Country | Parcels |
| --- | --- |
| Germany | 12.4K |
| Netherlands | 10.1K |
| Belgium | 6.8K |
| France | 5.2K |
| Poland | 4.6K |
| Austria | 3.1K |
| Czechia | 2.7K |
| Denmark | 2.4K |

## 009 · Lollipop

The same total in four regions.

Parcels delivered by region. The same 57.2K parcels in four regions: Central 22.8K, Benelux and France 22.1K, Nordics 6.3K, South and West 6.0K.

| Region | Countries | Parcels |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Central | DE, AT, CZ, PL | 22.8K |
| Benelux and France | NL, BE, FR | 22.1K |
| Nordics | DK, SE, NO, FI, IS | 6.3K |
| South and West | IT, ES, UK, IE | 6.0K |

**Same 57.2K parcels.** The tile map shows where, the bars rank the countries, and the lollipop sums the regions. Three countries, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, take 51% of all parcels.

## If you ask

| Question | Use a |
| --- | --- |
| Where is it highest? | 029 · Tile map |
| Where on the page do people click? | 028 · Hex grid |
| How far can we reach in an hour? | 088 · Isochrone rings |
| Where is the van on its route? | 057 · Route line |
| Which door or bay is busy? | 058 · Yard map |
| Which parts drifted from target? | 089 · Drift arrows |

## All nine

| Type | Use it when | Data shape |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [024 · Heatmap](https://usechartory.com/charts/heatmap) | Two dimensions, shaded by value | A value per cell of two dimensions |
| [028 · Hex grid](https://usechartory.com/charts/hex-grid) | Where clicks pile up on a page | Hot spots per page and a click count |
| [029 · Tile map](https://usechartory.com/charts/tile-map) | Countries as equal tiles, shaded by value | A tile per country or state with a shade step, and the list rows |
| [057 · Route line](https://usechartory.com/charts/route-line) | One route, stop by stop, done and to come | Stops in order with a time each |
| [058 · Yard map](https://usechartory.com/charts/yard-map) | Every dock door and what is at it | A state per door or slot |
| [059 · Shelf planogram](https://usechartory.com/charts/shelf-planogram) | Shelves, facing by facing, with stock levels | Products in position with a stock level |
| [076 · Load plan](https://usechartory.com/charts/load-plan) | How full each truck is, and with what | Space per cargo type per vehicle |
| [088 · Isochrone rings](https://usechartory.com/charts/isochrone-rings) | How far you get from one point in set times | A centre, time rings and points |
| [089 · Drift arrows](https://usechartory.com/charts/drift-arrows) | How far each part drifted from its target | A target and a current share per part |

## Common mistakes

- **Big countries that look important** On a real map area wins. A tile map gives every place the same room.
- **A map for a ranking** If the order matters more than the place, use bars.
- **Too many shades** Five steps of one colour read better than a rainbow.

## Every space-and-place chart, and the other 123 types.

In Figma and React, in four sizes, light and dark. Pay once, every update. [See the nine in Charts](https://usechartory.com/charts#space-and-place)

## Questions

### Tile map or real map?

A tile map when every place should count the same; a real map when shape and distance matter.

### Can a tile map show states or regions?

Yes, any set of places laid out roughly where they sit.

### Which chart shows delivery reach?

Isochrone rings: bands of travel time around a depot.

### Do these charts come in every size?

Yes. All of them come in XS, S, M and L, each laid out again for its size, in light and dark.

## Other questions

- [Change over time](https://usechartory.com/questions/change-over-time)
- [Compare items](https://usechartory.com/questions/compare-items)
- [Part of a whole](https://usechartory.com/questions/part-of-a-whole)
- [Distribution](https://usechartory.com/questions/distribution)
- [Flow between steps](https://usechartory.com/questions/flow-between-steps)
- [Relationship](https://usechartory.com/questions/relationship)
- [Schedule and status](https://usechartory.com/questions/schedule-and-status)

Not sure it is about place? Start from what the chart has to show. [Open the Chart Chooser](https://usechartory.com/chooser)