TFT

Sunburst Chart Maker Online

Visualize hierarchical data with a sunburst chart. See proportions across multiple levels in a radial, multi-ring layout.

Enter hierarchical data in JSON format. Each node can have a "value" and/or "children" array.

Sunburst Chart

Root165Category A75Sub A130Sub A225Sub A320Category B50Sub B135Sub B215Category C40

Hierarchy View

Root165(100.0%)
Category A75(45.5%)
Sub A130(18.2%)
Sub A225(15.2%)
Sub A320(12.1%)
Category B50(30.3%)
Sub B135(21.2%)
Sub B215(9.1%)
Category C40(24.2%)

How it works

Enter hierarchical data with parent-child relationships. Each level of the hierarchy becomes a ring, with the root at the center. Segment sizes represent values, showing proportions at each level.

The innermost ring shows top-level categories. Outer rings break down each category into subcategories. Click segments to drill down or zoom to specific branches of the hierarchy.

Data format:

Category, Subcategory, Item, Value Electronics, Phones, iPhone, 500 Electronics, Phones, Android, 400 Electronics, Laptops, MacBook, 300

Interactive tooltips show exact values and percentages at each level. Color coding distinguishes branches. Export for reports showing hierarchical data distribution.

When You'd Actually Use This

File system storage analysis

Visualize disk usage by folder and file type. See which directories consume most space. IT teams identify cleanup opportunities quickly.

Sales by region and product

Show sales hierarchy: region → store → product category. Compare performance across dimensions. Management sees where revenue comes from.

Website content structure

Map site sections, pages, and content types. See which sections have most content. Information architects plan site structure.

Budget breakdown visualization

Show department → category → line item hierarchy. Understand where money is allocated. Finance teams communicate budget structure clearly.

Species taxonomy display

Biology students visualize kingdom → phylum → class → order relationships. See distribution of species across classifications. Educational tool for taxonomy.

Survey response breakdown

Show demographic → response category → answer distribution. Understand how different groups responded. Researchers spot patterns across segments.

What to Know Before Using

Sunbursts show part-to-whole relationships.Each ring adds to 100% of its parent. Inner rings are parents of outer rings. The complete chart shows the full hierarchy.

Too many levels becomes hard to read.3-5 levels work well. More than that, outer rings become thin slivers. Consider collapsing deep branches or using drill-down interaction.

Angle perception is imprecise.Humans aren't great at comparing angles. Add value labels for precision. Use for overview, tables for exact numbers.

Center space can be utilized.The center can show total, selected segment info, or remain empty. Don't waste the space - use it for context.

Pro tip: Use consistent colors for the same branches across rings. This helps users track a category from center to edge.

Common Questions

How is this different from pie charts?

Pie charts show one level of categories. Sunbursts show multiple hierarchical levels. Each ring is like a pie chart for that level's parent.

What if some branches are deeper?

Uneven depth is fine. Shallower branches end at inner rings. Deeper branches extend to outer rings. The chart accommodates varying depths.

Can I compare multiple sunbursts?

Side-by-side sunbursts work for comparison. Ensure same scale and color scheme. For many comparisons, consider small multiples layout.

How do I handle zero values?

Zero-value segments don't appear (no angle). This is correct - they represent nothing. Consider whether zero categories should be shown at all.

What about negative values?

Sunbursts don't support negative values. They show parts of a whole, which can't be negative. Use different charts for data with negatives.

Can I export interactive sunbursts?

This tool generates static images. For interactive web sunbursts, use D3.js or similar libraries. Static exports work for reports and presentations.

When should I use treemap instead?

Treemaps use rectangles, better for precise comparison. Sunbursts are more visually appealing. Use treemaps for analysis, sunbursts for presentation.