Introduction

Gauge visualizations, or dial charts, are a fantastic way to present data in a visually appealing and familiar format, much like a speedometer. These charts excel at displaying a single data point within a specific range, making them perfect for showcasing metrics like performance, progress, or levels.

Thanks to their recognizable dial-like design, gauge charts are incredibly intuitive and easy to interpret at a glance.

Gauge charts have also gained popularity in election coverage, providing real-time updates on the win probability of candidates.

Anatomy of a gauge

Gauge visualizations are made up of a few essential elements, usually featuring a circular or semi-circular shape that resembles a dial or speedometer.

They are perfect for highlighting a single metric or data point within a specific range. A needle or pointer clearly shows the current value, making it easy to grasp at a glance.

The dial is typically divided into segments, each representing different value ranges. These segments can be color-coded to indicate varying levels like low, medium, high, or zones of satisfaction and concern.

Flourish gauge visualizations

With Flourish, you can create a gauge chart for free by simply uploading a spreadsheet. You can opt for a single gauge or a grid of gauge charts, making it easy for your audience to compare different metrics in your dataset. The grid layout helps readers spot patterns, trends, and relationships with ease and efficiency.

Customize everything from the gauge shape and segment lengths to the number of ticks displayed. You can also add filter controls, allowing your viewers to dive deep into a rich dataset.

Use cases

• Performance metrics: display the current performance of a metric against targets or thresholds
• Progress tracking: show progress towards a goal or completion percentage
• Level indicators: represent levels such as battery charge, fuel levels, or system resource usage
• Elections: provide real-time updates on the likeliness of candidates winning an election

Data structure

In Flourish, you can easily create gauge visualizations without coding – all you need to do is upload a CSV or an Excel sheet with your data.

To make a simple gauge, you only need two columns of data. The first column A should contain the name of your gauge.

The following column B should contain your value, meaning the position of the needle.

Each row of your data will display as a new gauge. You can add a filter to your gauge by binding two or more columns to your Value binding.

Resources

Here are some resources to help you get started with gauge visualizations:

– Gauge – an overview
– How to create interactive gauge visualizations
– How to auto-set your columns