Overview
Pie charts are used to show the relative proportions of a whole. While popular, they are often criticized by data visualization experts because the human brain is not very good at comparing angles or areas accurately.
Best Practices
- Limit the number of slices (ideally 5 or fewer).
- Order slices by size, starting from the 12 o'clock position.
- Use labels directly on the slices rather than a separate legend.
- Consider a Donut Chart (a pie chart with a hole in the middle) for a more modern look.
Alternatives
Bar charts or treemaps are often more effective for comparing proportions.