Math Figures Bar Graph Generator
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Bar graphs and column graphs from a table

The Bar Graph Generator draws a bar graph from a table you type or paste: a category on each row, like Soccer or Swimming, and its value. Bars stand up as columns or run sideways, over a value axis fitted to the data unless you type its range. Add a column to the table for a double bar graph, with the bars side by side or stacked and a key naming each set.

Leave a category’s value empty and its name stays with no bar, for students to draw from a table. Write the values on the bars or leave them for students to read from the axis. For science, give each bar a ± value to draw error bars, such as the standard error of a mean.

What you can set

  • The table: categories down the side and one or more series across the top, typed or pasted from a spreadsheet
  • Upright columns or sideways bars; for several series, side by side or stacked; narrow, medium or wide bars
  • Values written at the end of each bar or inside it, or not at all
  • Error bars from a ± value for each bar, with or without crossbars, and a note under the graph saying what they show
  • Color, black-and-white fills that photocopy, or white bars to shade, with a fill picked for each series, and a key on the right or below
  • A chart title and axis titles, as text or a blank line for students
  • The value axis’s range and count-by, worked out from the data unless you type them, which lines are numbered, and the gridlines

Copying, printing and sharing

Copy the figure straight into a test, worksheet or slide, or download it as a PNG or SVG. Printing the page prints just the figure. Share link copies the page’s address with your settings in it, so anyone who opens it sees this exact figure, and presets save settings you use often in your browser. It’s free, with no sign-up.

Example figures

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a bar graph and a column graph?

Nothing but the direction. A column graph is a bar graph with upright bars; in the UK and Australia “bar chart” often means sideways bars. Pick Columns or Bars under Direction to switch between them.

How do I make a double bar graph?

Type a heading in the + column at the end of the table, like Girls, and its values under it; name the first column too, like Boys. Each category then gets two bars side by side, and a key names them. Choose Stacked to put one on top of the other instead.

Can I paste data from a spreadsheet?

Yes. Copy the cells in Excel or Google Sheets, with the category names in the first column and a heading row if you like, and paste anywhere in the table. It replaces what was there.

How do I add error bars?

Turn on Error bars and type each bar’s ± value, such as its standard error, in the ± column beside it, or paste a column headed SEM, SD or ± after the values. Each bar gets a line from its value minus that amount to its value plus it. Error bars are drawn on side-by-side bars, not stacked ones.

How do I leave a bar for students to draw?

Type the category’s name and leave its value empty. Its name stays under the axis with no bar, so students can draw the bar from a table or a description.

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