Chart vs. Graph: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A chart is a visual representation of data, often used for comparison or organization, while a graph specifically represents numerical data through points, lines, or bars.
Key Differences
Charts present information in various forms like tables, diagrams, or maps, suitable for summarizing and comparing data, whereas graphs are a subset of charts that specifically use points, lines, or bars to represent numerical data.
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Nov 29, 2023
A chart can be used for diverse data types, including non-numeric, like organizational charts or flowcharts, while graphs are primarily focused on illustrating quantitative relationships.
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Charts are versatile in format, including pie charts, bar charts, and flowcharts, each serving different purposes, whereas graphs, like line graphs or scatter plots, are predominantly used to show trends or correlations in data.
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In a chart, the emphasis is often on qualitative comparison or data categorization, while in a graph, the emphasis is on showing quantitative relationships, such as changes over time.
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Charts are commonly used in business and education to organize complex information, while graphs are more frequently used in scientific and mathematical contexts to illustrate data patterns.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Organizing, summarizing, and comparing data
Showing relationships and trends in data
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Varieties
Includes pie charts, bar charts, flowcharts, etc.
Includes line graphs, bar graphs, scatter plots, etc.
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Emphasis
Qualitative comparison or data categorization
Quantitative data analysis and representation
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Usage Context
Business, education, general information
Science, mathematics, technical analysis
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Chart and Graph Definitions
Chart
A chart can be a visual display of information or data.
The teacher used a pie chart to explain the survey results.
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Graph
A graph is a diagram showing the relationship between variable quantities.
The line graph depicted the company's sales over the past year.
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Chart
A map showing coastlines, water depths, or other information of use to navigators.
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Graph
A graph visualizes data changes over time or categories.
The histogram graphically represented the frequency distribution of the data.
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Chart
An outline map on which specific information, such as scientific data, can be plotted.
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Graph
Graphs are mathematical representations of data.
The graph of the quadratic equation formed a parabola.
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Graph
Graphs are used to illustrate patterns in data.
The scatter graph displayed the correlation between age and exercise.
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Graph
Graphs represent data points connected by lines or bars.
The bar graph showed the population growth in different cities.
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Chart
Often charts A listing of best-selling recorded music or other items
A hit single that reached number 3 on the charts.
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Graph
A diagram that exhibits a relationship, often functional, between two sets of numbers as a set of points having coordinates determined by the relationship. Also called plot.
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Graph
A pictorial device, such as a pie chart or bar graph, used to illustrate quantitative relationships. Also called chart.
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Chart
To be ranked on a chart of best-selling items
A song that charted at the number one position last week.
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Graph
A written character that represents a vowel, consonant, syllable, word, or other expression and that cannot be further analyzed.
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Graph
A data chart (graphical representation of data) intended to illustrate the relationship between a set (or sets) of numbers (quantities, measurements or indicative numbers) and a reference set, whose elements are indexed to those of the former set(s) and may or may not be numbers.
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Graph
(mathematics) A set of points constituting a graphical representation of a real function; (formally) a set of tuples , where for a given function . See also Graph of a function Category:en:Curves Category:en:Functions
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Graph
(graph theory) A set of vertices (or nodes) connected together by edges; (formally) an ordered pair of sets , where the elements of are called vertices or nodes and is a set of pairs (called edges) of elements of . See also Graph (discrete mathematics)
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Graph
(topology) A topological space which represents some graph (ordered pair of sets) and which is constructed by representing the vertices as points and the edges as copies of the real interval [0,1] (where, for any given edge, 0 and 1 are identified with the points representing the two vertices) and equipping the result with a particular topology called the graph topology.
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Chart
A record of a patient's diagnosis, care instructions, and recent history.
I snuck a look at his chart. It doesn't look good.
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Graph
A morphism from the domain of to the product of the domain and codomain of , such that the first projection applied to equals the identity of the domain, and the second projection applied to is equal to .
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Chart
A ranked listing of competitors, as of recorded music.
They're at the top of the charts again this week.
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Graph
A graphical unit on the token-level, the abstracted fundamental shape of a character or letter as distinct from its ductus (realization in a particular typeface or handwriting on the instance-level) and as distinct by a grapheme on the type-level by not fundamentally distinguishing meaning.
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Graph
A curve or surface, the locus of a point whose coördinates are the variables in the equation of the locus; as, a graph of the exponential function.
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Chart
(transitive) To draw or figure out (a route or plan).
Let's chart how we're going to get from here to there.
We are on a course for disaster without having charted it.
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Graph
A diagram symbolizing a system of interrelations of variable quantities using points represented by spots, or by lines to represent the relations of continuous variables. More than one set of interrelations may be presented on one graph, in which case the spots or lines are typically distinguishable from each other, as by color, shape, thickness, continuity, etc. A diagram in which relationships between variables are represented by other visual means is sometimes called a graph, as in a bar graph, but may also be called a chart.
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Graph
A drawing illustrating the relations between certain quantities plotted with reference to a set of axes
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Chart
To appear on a hit-recording chart.
The song has charted for 15 weeks!
The band first charted in 1994.
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Chart
A sheet of paper, pasteboard, or the like, on which information is exhibited, esp. when the information is arranged in tabular form; as, an historical chart.
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Chart
A map; esp., a hydrographic or marine map; a map on which is projected a portion of water and the land which it surrounds, or by which it is surrounded, intended especially for the use of seamen; as, the United States Coast Survey charts; the English Admiralty charts.
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Chart
A chart is a graphical representation of data.
The organizational chart clearly displayed the company's hierarchy.
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Chart
Charts are tools for summarizing and presenting complex information.
The project timeline was effectively communicated using a Gantt chart.
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Chart
A chart often includes diagrams, lists, or maps.
The map of the solar system was a detailed astronomical chart.
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Chart
Charts can be used to compare and contrast data.
The bar chart made it easy to compare sales performance.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a graph be a chart?
Yes, a graph is a type of chart specifically for numerical data.
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What is a graph?
A graph is a specific type of chart that represents numerical data with points, lines, or bars.
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Are all charts graphs?
Not all charts are graphs; charts can include non-numeric data presentations.
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What is a chart?
A chart is a visual representation of data in various forms like diagrams or maps.
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Can charts include text and images?
Yes, charts can include text, images, and various graphical elements.
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What types of data do charts represent?
Charts represent both numeric and non-numeric data.
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What's the primary use of a graph?
Graphs are primarily used to show trends, relationships, or changes in data over time.
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Are graphs always about numbers?
Yes, graphs are specifically for representing numerical data.
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What is a pie chart used for?
A pie chart is used for showing the proportions of parts to a whole.
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What is an example of a chart that’s not a graph?
An organizational chart is an example of a chart that is not a graph.
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How do graphs help in data analysis?
Graphs help in visualizing and interpreting numerical data trends and patterns.
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What kind of graph shows frequency?
A histogram, a type of graph, shows the frequency of data occurrences.
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Are charts used in strategic planning?
Yes, charts like Gantt charts are used in strategic planning and project management.
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Do graphs require a scale or axis?
Yes, graphs typically have scales and axes to represent data dimensions.
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Can a graph show relationships between two variables?
Yes, graphs like scatter plots are ideal for showing relationships between two variables.
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Are charts common in business presentations?
Yes, charts are commonly used in business for presenting and summarizing data.
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Do charts and graphs require legends?
Legends are often necessary in charts and graphs for explaining symbols and colors.
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What is a flowchart?
A flowchart is a type of chart used to represent a process or workflow.
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Can a chart be interactive?
Yes, especially in digital formats, charts can be interactive.
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What is the importance of a bar graph?
Bar graphs are important for comparing quantities of different groups or categories.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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