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Friends don't let friends abuse pie charts

Blog post from Grafana Labs

Post Details
Company
Date Published
Author
Matt Toback
Word Count
1,070
Language
English
Hacker News Points
-
Summary

Pie charts, often requested by Grafana users, are criticized for their inefficiency in data visualization due to their low data-density, inability to handle more than 2-3 segments effectively, and over-reliance on color, which poses challenges for color-blind users. Despite their popularity in management presentations, pie charts increase cognitive load and are unsuitable for time series data, where bar charts or tables provide clearer insights. Grafana aims to present metrics beautifully and effectively, emphasizing that while pie charts have their place, they should be used judiciously, ensuring that more suitable options like tables or bar charts are considered based on the specific data and context. The company is committed to maximizing data display success and encourages using visualizations that enhance understanding rather than obstruct it.