Show how data changes over time with streamgraphs
Streamgraphs are a type of stacked area chart that show how categories change over time. Each stream represents a category, with its width showing its share of the whole. Instead of focusing on exact numbers, streamgraphs make it easy to see big trends and how groups move together.
With Flourish, you can create streamgraphs quickly and without coding. Add filters, popups, and animations to explore the details or build them into a Flourish story to guide your audience step by step.
USE CASES
Reveal shifts and growth over time
From spotting trends to storytelling, streamgraphs help your audience follow the visual flow
Show how categories grow and shrink
Use streamgraphs to reveal how different groups change their share of the total over time.
Highlight long-term trends
Visualize shifts across years or decades, making it easy to see patterns and turning points.
Compare competition over time
Track how products, brands, or teams gain and lose ground, bringing rivalries and dynamics to life.
FEATURES
Everything you need to create interactive streamgraphs
Powerful features that make data visualization easy and beautiful
No coding required
Build streamgraphs in minutes without writing a line of code. Just upload your data and customize the design.
Interactive elements
Add filters, tooltips, and legends so viewers can explore the data in a way that makes sense to them.
Responsive design
Create immersive data stories that adapt to any screen size for a consistent experience across all platforms.
Grid of charts
Use small multiples to compare groups and make complex data easier to read.
Switch chart types
Move between streamgraphs, area charts, line charts, or bump charts with a single click.
Add annotations
Explain key events or changes with arrows and axis highlights for extra context.
TEMPLATES
Easy starting points
Plug-and-play templates for fast, flexible visualization
Streamgraphs
Show how categories grow and shrink as part of a whole over time.
Area charts
Highlight totals and how groups contribute across a timeline.
Bump charts
Track how rankings shift between categories over time.
Line charts
Show trends and changes in values across time or categories.
Dual axis charts
Compare two related metrics with different scales on one chart.
Grid of area charts
Break large datasets into smaller multiples for easy comparison.
RESOURCES
Data visualization resources
Tips, guides, and resources to make your online streamgraphs even more effective
Streamgraphs 101
A step-by-step overview of how to get started with Flourish streamgraphs
Learn more →
Flourish training
Explore our short practical video tutorials to quickly master Flourish
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Streamgraphs work best for showing how multiple categories contribute to a total over time – think music popularity, budget allocations, or market share where flowing, organic shapes emphasize continuous change and relative proportions.
Use time periods as columns and categories as rows, with values showing each category's contribution at each time point. Ensure complete data coverage – gaps can distort the flowing stream appearance and mislead viewers.
Flourish makes it easy to create interactive streamgraphs without coding. You can switch between chart types with a click, add filters and annotations, or use small multiples to compare groups side by side. With built-in customization, smooth animations, and responsive design, your streamgraphs look engaging and work beautifully on any screen.
Flourish offers a free plan that’s perfect for exploring interactive data storytelling. You’ll get access to the full range of visualization types available in Flourish (including streamgraphs), unlimited projects, full privacy for your unpublished work, plus helpful support resources.
If you’re an individual creating presentations and reports, our Presenter plan might be the right fit. It includes access to the Flourish app within Canva, along with image and SVG export options for your visualizations.
And if you’re ready to create fully branded visuals without attribution, collaborate across teams, connect your systems via API, and unlock advanced storytelling features like scrollytelling, our premium plans are designed for you. Reach out to our team to find the best option for your business.
Once you publish your Flourish visualization, you’ll get a responsive embed code you can paste anywhere HTML is supported – from WordPress and Medium to custom CMS platforms. Your chart will look great on any screen size, no extra setup needed.
Every project also comes with a unique URL, so you can easily share your work on social media or link to it directly.
