GeneratorsGrouped bar

Animated Grouped Bar Chart Generator

Compare several series side by side. Export as PNG, SVG, GIF or MP4.

Exports asMP4GIFPNGSVG

Free to try · No design skills · Ready in about two minutes

Overview

What is a grouped bar?

A grouped bar chart (also called a clustered bar chart) places two or more bars side by side within each category, one bar per series. It is the right tool whenever you need to compare the same set of categories across more than one group: this year versus last, variant A versus B, or several segments measured the same way.

The strength of grouping is direct, side-by-side comparison. Because the bars for each series sit together in a cluster and share a baseline, the eye compares their heights instantly. The trade-off is that grouped bars compare series within a category well but make the overall total harder to see, when the total is the story, a stacked bar is the better choice.

Reochart animates each group in and gives every series its own colour and a legend, so the comparison is obvious at a glance. You can compare up to five series, each with an editable name. Export as MP4, GIF, PNG or SVG, with your brand palette on Pro.

reochart.com/editor
Data
Organic3
Email2
Paid2
Social1
+ Add row
MP4GIFPNGSVG
Export

How it works

How a grouped bar chart works

1

Each category gets a cluster of bars, one per series, and every bar's height is proportional to its value from a shared zero baseline. A legend maps each colour to a series, so the same colour means the same series in every group.

2

Keep it to a handful of series, two or three is ideal, up to five works. Beyond that the clusters get wide and busy, and the side-by-side comparison that makes the chart useful starts to break down.

Examples

Example grouped bars

Real charts made in Reochart, each with its own data and theme. Hover to play the animation.

This year vs last, by quarter.
Three plans compared across channels.
Before vs after a redesign.

Good fit

When to use a grouped bar

  • This year vs last year
  • Before vs after a change
  • A/B test results
  • Comparing 2-5 segments across categories
  • Plan or tier adoption across groups

Reach for something else

When not to use a grouped bar

  • The total per category is the story, use a stacked bar.
  • You are showing a trend over continuous time, use a multi-line chart.
  • You have more than about five series, the clusters get unreadable.
  • Each category has only one value, a plain bar chart is simpler.

Compare

Grouped bar vs other charts

Grouped bar vs the alternatives.

Chart typeBest forAvoid when
Grouped barComparing series within each categoryThe total per category matters most
Stacked barTotal and its parts per categoryComparing the parts precisely
Multi-line2-5 series trending over timeDistinct, non-time categories
Bar chartOne value per categoryMultiple series per category

Your data

What data you need

One row per category, one column per series (add up to five). Name each series, the names become the legend. Paste from a sheet or import a CSV.

CategorySeries ASeries B
Q1120168
Q2142201
Q3158236
Q4181274

Step by step

How to make a grouped bar

1
Paste or import

Drop your numbers in, or import a CSV.

2
Pick a style

Choose the chart, theme and animation speed.

3
Make it yours

Tune colours, labels and add your brand.

4
Export anywhere

Download MP4, GIF, PNG or SVG.

Best practices

Get it right

Do
  • Keep to two or three series where you can; five is the max.
  • Use one consistent colour per series across all groups.
  • Start bars from a shared zero baseline.
  • Order categories logically (by time or by value).
Don't
  • Pack in so many series the clusters become unreadable.
  • Switch a series' colour between groups.
  • Use grouped bars when the total is the real message.
  • Truncate the axis so small differences look large.

Watch out

Common mistakes to avoid

!
Too many series

Each extra series widens every cluster. Past about five, the side-by-side comparison collapses, split the chart or drop series.

!
Total-is-the-story

Grouped bars hide the category total. If the sum is what matters, a stacked bar shows it directly.

!
Inconsistent colours

If a series changes colour between groups, the legend stops working. Lock one colour per series.

!
Truncated axis

Starting bars above zero exaggerates small gaps between series. Keep the baseline at zero.

Why Reochart

Built for sharing, not just charting

  • No design skills required
  • Animated MP4 and GIF exports
  • PNG and scalable SVG too
  • Your brand colours and logo (Pro)
  • Paste from a sheet or import a CSV
  • Presentation and feed ready in minutes

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a grouped bar chart?

A bar chart that shows multiple series as clustered bars within each category, so you can compare the series directly side by side.

Grouped or stacked bars?

Use grouped bars to compare the series within each category. Use stacked bars when the total per category, and the mix inside it, is the story.

How many series can I add?

Up to five, each with its own editable name and colour. Two or three usually reads cleanest.

How do I enter the data?

One row per category with a column per series. Paste it straight from a spreadsheet or import a CSV (Pro); the series names become the legend.

Can I make it animated?

Yes. Charts animate by default, and you can export the animation as an MP4 or GIF, or grab a static PNG or SVG if you prefer.

Can I export as SVG?

Yes. Pro exports a crisp, scalable SVG vector, alongside MP4, GIF and PNG. Every export renders at 1080p.

Is Reochart free?

Yes. The free plan lets you make every chart type and export an animated MP4 with a small watermark, no card needed. Pro removes the watermark and adds GIF and SVG, your brand colours and logo, longer videos and CSV import.

Make your grouped bar now

Drop in your numbers and export something worth sharing, in about two minutes. Free to start.