ChartBeauty / Area chart maker
Area chart maker
A line graph with the space underneath filled in a soft gradient. Good for growth that should feel like it is building up.
Alt text for accessibility
Area chart titled “Newsletter subscribers”. W1 820, W2 910, W3 1K, W4 1.1K, W5 1.4K, W6 1.6K, W7 1.8K, W8 2.2K.
Start from a template
How to make it
- Enter time labels and values in order.
- Add a second series if you want two overlapping areas; the second is drawn more transparently.
- Choose a palette. The first colour becomes the gradient, fading to almost clear at the baseline.
- Export in the size you need.
When it works, and when it doesn’t
Use it for
- Cumulative or growing totals: subscribers, savings, total views.
- Volume over time where the size of the area matters.
- A hero image for a milestone post.
Pick something else for
- Values that dip below zero.
- More than two series: overlapping fills get muddy.
- Precise comparisons between two lines: use a line graph.
Design tips
Areas start at zero
The filled area implies quantity, so the y-axis always starts at zero here, the same rule as for bars.
Use the tinted or dark background
Gradients look richest against a background with a hint of colour. Try Tinted with the Ocean or Riso palette.
Let the end value speak
The last point is labelled automatically. Put the growth in the title: “Subscribers up 162% in eight weeks”.
Questions
When should I use an area chart instead of a line chart?
When the total amount matters, not just the direction, for example cumulative sign-ups. For comparing two trends precisely, a line chart is clearer.
Why does my area chart start at zero?
Because the filled area represents quantity. Starting above zero would cut off part of the area and exaggerate change.
Can I make a stacked area chart?
Not in this tool. Two series are drawn overlapping with transparency, which is easier to read on a phone than a stacked chart.
Can I export with a transparent background?
Download the SVG: it keeps the background as a single rectangle you can delete in Figma, Illustrator or Keynote.