What is a Pie Chart?

A pie chart is a circular statistical graphic divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportions. Each slice's size is proportional to the quantity it represents, making it easy to see how parts relate to the whole.

When to use Pie Charts?

Pie charts are best for showing parts of a whole when you have a small number of categories (ideally 5-7), when proportions are more important than exact values, or when you want to emphasize the relative size of components.

When might Pie Charts be problematic?

Pie charts become difficult to read with too many slices, when slices are similar in size, for comparing multiple datasets, or when precise values matter more than proportions.

What is the importance of Pie Charts in Visualization?

Pie charts provide an immediate visual understanding of proportional relationships and are universally recognized. They're effective for communicating simple part-to-whole relationships to general audiences.