grouped bar chart / Chart type guide
Grouped Bar Chart: Compare Series Side by Side
A grouped bar chart compares multiple series side by side within each category, which makes it useful for seeing differences between groups.
What a grouped bar chart is
A grouped chart displays bars in small sets. Each set belongs to one category, and each bar inside the set is a separate series.
When grouped bars are useful
Grouped bars are strongest when comparing the same measure across two or more groups.
- Revenue by quarter across regions
- Test scores by class and year
- Support tickets by channel and severity
- Market share by brand and country
Grouped vs stacked
Grouped bars make individual series easier to compare. Stacked bars make totals and composition easier to see.
How to keep it readable
Limit the number of series, use consistent colors, and keep labels short enough to scan.
Copyable data
CSV example
Use this small dataset to test whether the chart structure fits your use case.
category,series,value
North,2025,140
North,2026,165
South,2025,110
South,2026,130FAQ
Is grouped bar chart the same as clustered bar chart?
In most spreadsheet and BI contexts, yes. Both refer to bars placed side by side within categories.
Can a grouped chart be horizontal?
Yes. Horizontal grouped bars are helpful when labels are long.
Last updated: 2026-06-29