All techniques
Size & scale
The impossible pie
70% + 63% + 60% = one pie chart.
a.k.a. multi-response pie · parts that aren’t parts
A pie chart promises that its slices sum to a whole. Feed it multi-select survey data — where respondents could pick several answers — and you get confident-looking slices adding up to 193%.
How to spot it
- Add up the labels. Do they hit 100?
- Slice sizes that don’t match their own percentages.
The honest version
Multi-select data wants a bar chart. Pies are only for genuine parts of a genuine whole.
In the gallery
No exhibits charged with this — yet.
The wall is still being hung. When a chart pulls this trick, it'll be exhibited here.
Browse the gallery