GeneratorsStacked bar

Animated Stacked Bar Chart Generator

Show a total and its parts in one bar. Export as PNG, SVG, GIF or MP4.

Exports asMP4GIFPNGSVG

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

Overview

What is a stacked bar?

A stacked bar chart splits each bar into coloured segments stacked on top of one another, so a single bar shows both a total and the parts that make it up. Across several bars, you see how that total, and its composition, changes from category to category or period to period. It is the natural choice for revenue mix, plan breakdowns and budget composition.

Stacking does two jobs at once: the full bar height reads as the total, and each segment shows a part's contribution. That is its power and its limit. The bottom segment, sitting on the baseline, is easy to compare across bars; segments higher up float on shifting bases and are harder to read precisely. Put the series you most want compared at the bottom.

Reochart stacks and animates each segment and labels the total above every bar, so part-to-whole stories read clearly. It supports up to five segments per bar, each with an editable name and colour. Export as MP4, GIF, PNG or SVG, with your brand palette on Pro.

reochart.com/editor
Data
Q1248
Q2312
Q3398
Q4507
+ Add row
MP4GIFPNGSVG
Export

How it works

How a stacked bar chart works

1

Within each bar, segments are drawn one on top of the next, so each segment's height is its value and the whole bar's height is the sum. A legend maps colours to series, and the total is labelled above the bar.

2

Because higher segments rest on a moving base, only the bottom segment shares a common baseline across bars. Order segments so the most important comparison sits at the bottom, and keep to about five segments before the bands get too thin to read.

Examples

Example stacked bars

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

Revenue mix stacked into a quarterly total.
Users by plan, stacked across months.
Spend breakdown by category.

Good fit

When to use a stacked bar

  • Revenue mix by stream
  • Users or accounts by plan
  • Part-to-whole change over time
  • Budget or spend composition
  • Any total you want to break into parts

Reach for something else

When not to use a stacked bar

  • You need to compare the parts precisely, use a grouped bar.
  • There is only one series, a plain bar chart is simpler.
  • You have a single total to break down once, a donut may read better.
  • You have more than about five segments, the bands get too thin.

Compare

Stacked bar vs other charts

Stacked bar vs the alternatives.

Chart typeBest forAvoid when
Stacked barTotal and its parts across categoriesComparing the parts precisely
Grouped barComparing series side by sideThe total is the main message
DonutOne total split into parts, onceTracking the mix across periods
AreaA single trend's magnitudeShowing a breakdown by segment

Your data

What data you need

One row per category, one column per segment (up to five). Reochart stacks them and labels the total. Paste from a sheet or import a CSV.

CategorySegment ASegment BSegment C
Q11203812
Q21484415
Q31765118
Q42125821

Step by step

How to make a stacked 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
  • Put the series you most want to compare at the bottom.
  • Keep to about five segments so each band stays readable.
  • Use one consistent colour per series across all bars.
  • Show the total above each bar for context.
Don't
  • Stack so many segments the bands become slivers.
  • Use stacking when you need to compare parts precisely.
  • Reorder segments between bars, it breaks the legend.
  • Mix a part-to-whole story with unrelated totals.

Watch out

Common mistakes to avoid

!
Comparing floating segments

Only the bottom segment shares a baseline. Judging the height of a middle band across bars is error-prone, put the key series at the bottom.

!
Too many segments

Five is about the limit. More than that and each band is too thin to read or label.

!
Using it to compare parts

If the question is 'which part is bigger', a grouped bar answers it better than a stack.

!
No total shown

The total is half the value of a stacked bar. Label it above each bar so the whole story is visible.

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 stacked bar chart?

A bar chart where each bar is divided into coloured segments stacked on top of each other, showing both a total and the parts that compose it.

Stacked or grouped bars?

Use stacked bars when the total per category and its composition is the story. Use grouped bars when you need to compare the individual series precisely.

How many segments can a bar have?

Up to five, each with its own name and colour, with the total labelled above the bar.

Why is the bottom segment easier to read?

It sits on the shared baseline, so it is directly comparable across bars. Higher segments rest on shifting bases, so put your most important series at the bottom.

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 stacked bar now

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