Chart Pattern · Reference

Vertical Bar (Distribution)

Histogram · numeric x-axis · count y-axis

Order value distribution — last 90 days

Histogram of order amounts · target band shaded · long tail = high-value outliers

✓ When to use

  • Distribution of a continuous numeric variable
  • Showing shape: skew, peak, spread, gaps
  • Detecting outliers in the tails

✗ Avoid when

  • Comparing across categories — use horizontal bar
  • Time-ordered data — use line
  • Few categories with discrete labels — use ordinary bar

★ Best practice

  • Bin width matters — too narrow looks noisy, too wide hides the shape
  • Mark median or target with a vertical reference line
  • Use a single muted color so the shape dominates, not the ink