Horizontal bar graphs always contain a horizontal axis known as the x-axis. The bars on a horizontal bar graph run parallel to the x-axis. Additionally, the horizontal bar graph contains a vertical axis known as the y-axis which is the starting point for each bar. On the right side of the y-axis lies the nominal or category that names, defines or categorizes the bars that run parallel to the x-axis. The numeric or categorical values of the bars are located underneath the x-axis. Typically, horizontal bar graphs are used because it has more space to write longer names or categories that correspond to the bars.
Vertical bar graphs always contain a vertical axis known as the y-axis. The bars on a vertical bar graph run parallel to the y-axis. Additionally, the vertical bar graph contains an x-axis which is the starting point for each bar. Underneath the x-axis lies the nominal or category that names, defines or categorizes the bars that run parallel to the y-axis. The names or categories on a vertical bar graph are usually short. The numeric or categorical values of the bars are located on the right side the y-axis. Typically, vertical bar graphs are used to compare how often things occur and when events happen.
Double or group bar graphs can be either horizontal or vertical bar graphs. These bar graphs are used to display data about a set of information at the same site or about the same thing. This type of bar graph may display data about different classes at the same school for instance. However, double graphs can be cumbersome and hard to understand if too much information is graphed. Be careful not to try to put too many sets of data on a group bar graph. Though the double bar graph is very widely used, there are other bar graphs that are not as widely used, but just as useful. These include stacked bar graphs, dot graphs, and population pyramids.
Though the double and group bar graphs is very widely used, there are other bar graphs that are not as widely used, but just as useful. These include stacked bar graphs, dot graphs, and population pyramids.