Stacked Bar Chart

Introduction to Stacked Bar Charts

A stacked bar chart is an extension of the basic bar chart that displays categorical data by stacking multiple data series within a single bar. Each bar represents the total amount for a category, while the different colored segments within the bar represent the values of various subcategories. Stacked bar charts not only show the total quantity for each category but also display how each subcategory contributes to the total.

Stacked bar charts are particularly suitable for comparing the compositional structure of multiple categories and observing the distribution of subcategories across different main categories. Through color coding, users can easily identify different subcategories and compare their proportions within each main category.

When you need to display both totals and composition simultaneously, stacked bar charts are an excellent choice. They can be further extended to percentage stacked bar charts to show the relative proportions of each part.

Other Names: Stacked Column Chart

Components of Stacked Bar Charts

Vertical Stacked Bar Chart

Chart Type	Vertical Stacked Bar Chart
Suitable Data	Multi-series categorical data: one categorical field, one continuous field, one series categorical field
Function	Compare totals of different categories and composition of subcategories
Data-to-Visual Mapping	Categorical field mapped to horizontal axis position Numerical field mapped to bar height Series field mapped to color, displayed stacked in the same bar
Suitable Data Volume	Main categories no more than 12, subcategories no more than 8

Horizontal Stacked Bar Chart

Chart Type	Horizontal Stacked Bar Chart
Suitable Data	Multi-series categorical data: one categorical field, one continuous field, one series categorical field
Function	Compare totals of different categories and composition of subcategories
Data-to-Visual Mapping	Categorical field mapped to vertical axis position Numerical field mapped to bar width Series field mapped to color
Suitable Data Volume	Main categories no more than 30, subcategories no more than 8

Use Cases for Stacked Bar Charts

Suitable Scenarios

Example 1: Suitable for displaying monthly rainfall composition across multiple cities

The chart below shows the rainfall distribution in London and Berlin across different months, clearly showing both the total monthly rainfall and each city’s contribution.

import { Chart } from '@antv/g2';

const chart = new Chart({
  container: 'container',
  theme: 'classic',
});

chart.options({
  type: 'interval',
  autoFit: true,
  data: [
    { name: 'London', month: 'Jan.', rainfall: 18.9 },
    { name: 'London', month: 'Feb.', rainfall: 28.8 },
    { name: 'London', month: 'Mar.', rainfall: 39.3 },
    { name: 'London', month: 'Apr.', rainfall: 81.4 },
    { name: 'London', month: 'May', rainfall: 47 },
    { name: 'London', month: 'Jun.', rainfall: 20.3 },
    { name: 'London', month: 'Jul.', rainfall: 24 },
    { name: 'London', month: 'Aug.', rainfall: 35.6 },
    { name: 'Berlin', month: 'Jan.', rainfall: 12.4 },
    { name: 'Berlin', month: 'Feb.', rainfall: 23.2 },
    { name: 'Berlin', month: 'Mar.', rainfall: 34.5 },
    { name: 'Berlin', month: 'Apr.', rainfall: 99.7 },
    { name: 'Berlin', month: 'May', rainfall: 52.6 },
    { name: 'Berlin', month: 'Jun.', rainfall: 35.5 },
    { name: 'Berlin', month: 'Jul.', rainfall: 37.4 },
    { name: 'Berlin', month: 'Aug.', rainfall: 42.4 },
  ],
  encode: { x: 'month', y: 'rainfall', color: 'name' },
  transform: [{ type: 'stackY' }],
  interaction: [
    {
      type: 'elementHighlight',
      background: true,
      region: true,
    },
  ],
});

chart.render();

Explanation:

The month field is mapped to horizontal axis position, representing the time dimension
The rainfall field is mapped to bar height, stacked using the stackY transform
The name field is mapped to color to distinguish different cities
You can simultaneously compare total monthly rainfall and each city’s contribution

Example 2: Suitable for displaying age structure comparison across regions

Stacked bar charts are very suitable for showing population age structure distribution across different regions, allowing you to see both total population and age composition.

import { Chart } from '@antv/g2';

const chart = new Chart({
  container: 'container',
  theme: 'classic',
});

chart.options({
  type: 'interval',
  autoFit: true,
  data: {
    type: 'fetch',
    value:
      'https://gw.alipayobjects.com/os/bmw-prod/f129b517-158d-41a9-83a3-3294d639b39e.csv',
    format: 'csv',
  },
  encode: { x: 'state', y: 'population', color: 'age' },
  transform: [{ type: 'stackY' }, { type: 'sortX', by: 'y', reverse: true }],
  axis: {
    x: {
      labelSpacing: 4,
      labelTransform: 'rotate(90)',
    },
    y: {
      labelFormatter: '~s',
      title: null,
    },
  },
  legend: {
    color: {
      position: 'right',
      title: 'Age Group',
    },
  },
  interaction: [
    {
      type: 'elementHighlight',
      background: true,
    },
  ],
});

chart.render();

Explanation:

Uses sortX transform to sort by total population for easier comparison
labelFormatter: '~s' formats numeric display (e.g., 1M for 1 million)
Rotates x-axis labels to avoid overlap

Example 3: Horizontal stacked bar charts are suitable for scenarios with many categories

When there are many categories, horizontal stacked bar charts can better display labels and avoid text overlap.

import { Chart } from '@antv/g2';

const chart = new Chart({
  container: 'container',
  theme: 'classic',
  width: 800,
  height: 600,
});

chart.options({
  type: 'interval',
  autoFit: true,
  data: {
    type: 'fetch',
    value:
      'https://gw.alipayobjects.com/os/bmw-prod/f129b517-158d-41a9-83a3-3294d639b39e.csv',
    format: 'csv',
  },
  coordinate: { transform: [{ type: 'transpose' }] },
  encode: { x: 'state', y: 'population', color: 'age' },
  transform: [{ type: 'stackY' }, { type: 'sortX', by: 'y', reverse: true }],
  axis: {
    y: {
      labelFormatter: '~s',
      title: null,
    },
    x: {
      title: null,
    },
  },
  legend: {
    color: {
      position: 'bottom',
      title: 'Age Group',
    },
  },
});

chart.render();

Explanation:

Uses coordinate: { transform: [{ type: 'transpose' }] } to achieve horizontal orientation
Labels can be arranged horizontally, improving readability
Suitable for data with many categories

Example 4: Percentage stacked bar charts display proportional relationships

When focusing on the proportion of each part rather than absolute values, percentage stacked bar charts are a better choice.

import { Chart } from '@antv/g2';

const chart = new Chart({
  container: 'container',
  theme: 'classic',
  width: 800,
  height: 600,
});

chart.options({
  type: 'interval',
  autoFit: true,
  data: {
    type: 'fetch',
    value:
      'https://gw.alipayobjects.com/os/bmw-prod/f129b517-158d-41a9-83a3-3294d639b39e.csv',
    format: 'csv',
  },
  coordinate: { transform: [{ type: 'transpose' }] },
  encode: { x: 'state', y: 'population', color: 'age' },
  transform: [
    { type: 'stackY' },
    { type: 'normalizeY' },
    { type: 'sortX', by: 'y', reverse: true },
  ],
  axis: {
    y: {
      labelFormatter: '.0%',
      title: null,
    },
    x: {
      title: null,
    },
  },
  legend: {
    color: {
      position: 'bottom',
      title: 'Age Group',
    },
  },
  tooltip: {
    channel: 'y0',
    valueFormatter: '.0%',
  },
});

chart.render();

Explanation:

Combines stackY and normalizeY transforms to achieve percentage stacking
labelFormatter: '.0%' formats y-axis labels as percentages
Facilitates comparison of age structure proportions across states

Unsuitable Scenarios

Example 1: Not suitable for simple stacking of negative value data

Traditional stacked bar charts are not suitable for data containing negative values, as the stacking logic can cause visual confusion.

Example 2: Poor visual effect when there are too many subcategories

When the number of subcategories exceeds 8-10, color differentiation decreases, making it difficult for users to effectively distinguish and compare.

import { Chart } from '@antv/g2';

// Simulate data with too many subcategories
const chart = new Chart({
  container: 'container',
  theme: 'classic',
});

chart.options({
  type: 'interval',
  autoFit: true,
  data: [
    { category: 'A', type: 'Type1', value: 10 },
    { category: 'A', type: 'Type2', value: 8 },
    { category: 'A', type: 'Type3', value: 6 },
    { category: 'A', type: 'Type4', value: 4 },
    { category: 'A', type: 'Type5', value: 3 },
    { category: 'A', type: 'Type6', value: 2 },
    { category: 'A', type: 'Type7', value: 2 },
    { category: 'A', type: 'Type8', value: 1 },
    { category: 'A', type: 'Type9', value: 1 },
    { category: 'A', type: 'Type10', value: 1 },
    { category: 'A', type: 'Type11', value: 1 },
    { category: 'A', type: 'Type12', value: 1 },
    { category: 'B', type: 'Type1', value: 12 },
    { category: 'B', type: 'Type2', value: 9 },
    { category: 'B', type: 'Type3', value: 7 },
    { category: 'B', type: 'Type4', value: 5 },
    { category: 'B', type: 'Type5', value: 4 },
    { category: 'B', type: 'Type6', value: 3 },
    { category: 'B', type: 'Type7', value: 2 },
    { category: 'B', type: 'Type8', value: 2 },
    { category: 'B', type: 'Type9', value: 1 },
    { category: 'B', type: 'Type10', value: 1 },
    { category: 'B', type: 'Type11', value: 1 },
    { category: 'B', type: 'Type12', value: 1 },
  ],
  encode: { x: 'category', y: 'value', color: 'type' },
  transform: [{ type: 'stackY' }],
});

chart.render();

In such cases, it’s recommended to merge smaller categories into an “Others” category or use other chart types.

Extensions of Stacked Bar Charts

Diverging Stacked Bar Chart

Diverging stacked bar charts can display comparisons of positive and negative values, particularly suitable for showing profit/loss, increase/decrease contrasts.

import { Chart } from '@antv/g2';

const chart = new Chart({ container: 'container' });

const fields = [
  'lost > 100$',
  'lost <= 100$',
  'gained <= 100$',
  'gained > 100$',
];

chart.options({
  type: 'view',
  paddingLeft: 25,
  children: [
    {
      type: 'interval',
      data: {
        type: 'fetch',
        value: 'https://assets.antv.antgroup.com/g2/nivo-gain-lost.json',
        transform: [
          {
            type: 'fold',
            fields,
          },
        ],
      },
      encode: { x: 'user', y: 'value', color: 'key' },
      transform: [{ type: 'stackY' }],
      scale: {
        x: { padding: 0.2 },
        y: { domainMin: -100, domainMax: 100 },
        color: {
          domain: fields,
          range: ['#97e3d5', '#61cdbb', '#e25c3b', '#f47560'],
        },
      },
      style: { radius: 10 },
      axis: {
        y: { position: 'right', title: false, labelFormatter: (v) => `${v}%` },
      },
      legend: { color: { title: false } },
      labels: [
        {
          text: 'value',
          position: 'inside',
          formatter: (v) => (v ? `${v}%` : ''),
          transform: [{ type: 'overlapDodgeY' }],
          fill: '#000',
          fontSize: 10,
        },
      ],
    },
    {
      type: 'lineY',
      data: [0],
      style: { lineWidth: 2, stroke: '#e25c3b', strokeOpacity: 1 },
    },
    {
      type: 'text',
      style: {
        x: -10,
        y: '75%',
        text: 'lost',
        fontWeight: 'bold',
        dy: -10,
        transform: 'rotate(-90)',
        fill: '#61cdbb',
      },
    },
    {
      type: 'text',
      style: {
        x: -10,
        y: '20%',
        text: 'gain',
        fontWeight: 'bold',
        dy: -10,
        transform: 'rotate(-90)',
        fill: '#e25c3b',
      },
    },
  ],
});

chart.render();

Explanation:

Uses positive and negative value data to show profit/loss comparison
Sets domainMin and domainMax to control axis range
Adds dividing line to highlight positive/negative value boundary
Uses rounded corner style to enhance visual effect

Comparison with Other Charts

Stacked Bar Charts vs Bar Charts

Stacked bar charts show compositional relationships and totals of multiple subcategories
Regular bar charts are mainly used to compare single values across different categories
Stacked bar charts can simultaneously show part-to-whole relationships

Stacked Bar Charts vs Stacked Area Charts

Stacked bar charts are suitable for discrete categorical data comparison
Stacked area charts are suitable for continuous time series data trend display
Stacked bar charts are more convenient for precise numerical comparison

Stacked Bar Charts vs Pie Charts

Stacked bar charts can simultaneously compare composition across multiple categories
Pie charts can only show the composition proportion of a single whole
Stacked bar charts have advantages when comparing multiple categories