How to use the Histogram Maker
- Paste one column of numbers (one value per row). Add more columns to compare groups.
- Choose "Histogram".
- Leave bins on Auto (Sturges’ rule) or type a number of bins.
- Read n, mean, median, SD and range in the statistics table, then download the chart.
How many bins should a histogram have?
Too few bins hide the shape of the data; too many make it look noisy. Plotiq starts with Sturges’ rule (k = log₂n + 1), which works well for roughly normal data up to a few hundred values. Try a few values: the right number shows the shape clearly without random gaps.
Reading a histogram
Look at the centre (where most values fall), the spread (how wide the bars extend), the shape (symmetric, skewed left or right, one peak or two) and any outliers far from the rest. The statistics table gives the mean, median and standard deviation, so you can check whether the mean is pulled away from the median by skew.
Comparing two distributions
Paste a second column and both histograms are drawn on the same bins with semi-transparent fills. For more than two or three groups, a box plot is usually easier to read.
Frequently asked questions
- What data do I need for a histogram?
- Raw measurements: one number per row, such as each student’s height. Plotiq counts how many values fall in each bin for you.
- What is the difference between a histogram and a bar graph?
- A histogram shows the distribution of one numeric variable using touching bars on a number scale. A bar graph compares separate categories.
- Can I change the bin width?
- Set the number of bins; the width is the data range divided by that number.
- Is my data private?
- No. Your data never leaves your browser. Plotiq parses and plots files locally with JavaScript, so nothing is uploaded to a server.
Last updated: · by the Plotiq team