How to make a radar chart
- List your criteria, such as skills or product features, one per row. You need at least three.
- Add one value column per item you are comparing and rename the headers.
- Set the scale minimum and maximum in Customize → Axes, for example 0 to 10 for ratings.
- Adjust fill opacity, line thickness, markers and grid shape.
- Download your chart.
Data format
| Column | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Axis (criterion) | Text | Required |
| Data series (one column each) | Number | 1–8 columns; blank cells allowed |
Up to 30 rows. Each row is one spoke of the radar (a skill, feature or criterion). Each value column is one profile drawn as a polygon. Use the same scale for every spoke — for example, ratings out of 10.
Customization options
- Fixed scale (for example 0–10) so profiles are comparable across charts.
- Polygon or circular grid.
- Fill opacity to keep overlapping profiles visible.
- Distinct marker shapes per series and optional value labels.
- Scale numbers along the vertical spoke.
Downloading and exporting
- PNG: best for slides, documents and the web. It supports transparent backgrounds, and you can choose standard, 2×, 4× or slide-sized (1920 × 1080) output.
- JPEG: a smaller file with a solid background.
- SVG: a true vector file. It stays sharp at any size and can be edited in Illustrator, Inkscape or Figma.
- PDF: vector PDF sized to the chart, A4 or US Letter. If your labels use characters outside the standard PDF fonts (for example Chinese, Arabic or emoji), the PDF uses a high-resolution image instead and tells you.
- CSV and .json: your data, or the whole chart with its settings, to re-open later.
When to use a radar chart
- Comparing two or three profiles across 4–10 criteria measured on the same scale, such as product reviews or skill assessments.
- Showing balance or imbalance: spotting where one option is strong or weak.
When to choose a different chart
- Criteria use different units (price in $, weight in kg). The shape becomes meaningless; normalise them or use a bar graph.
- You compare many items. More than three overlapping polygons are hard to read; try a heatmap.
- Precise comparisons matter. Bars are easier to read accurately.
Common mistakes to avoid
Reading the area
The polygon’s area depends on the order of the spokes, so rearranging criteria changes the shape. Compare values spoke by spoke, not total area.
Auto-scaled axes
Without a fixed maximum, a profile scoring 6/10 everywhere fills the chart and looks perfect. Set the scale to the real range of the rating.
Mixed directions
Make sure “higher is better” on every spoke. Invert criteria like price or weight before plotting.
Practical examples
Laptop comparison
Two laptops rated 0–10 on performance, battery, display, portability, build quality and value.
Employee skills
Self-assessment vs. manager assessment across six competencies, highlighting gaps.
Athlete profile
Speed, strength, endurance, agility and technique scores against a team average.
Getting the scale right
Each spoke runs from the scale minimum at the center to the maximum at the edge, and every spoke uses the same scale. If you leave the scale blank, the minimum is 0 (or your lowest value, if it is negative) and the maximum is your highest value. If any value falls outside a range you set, the scale is widened to fit and you see a warning, so no point is clipped.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a radar chart and a spider chart?
They are the same chart. It is also called a web chart, star plot or polar chart.
How many axes can a radar chart have?
At least three and up to 30, but between 5 and 10 is easiest to read.
How many profiles can I compare?
Up to 8 series, though two or three is ideal.
What happens with blank cells?
The point is skipped and the polygon connects the remaining points, with a note to tell you.
Can I use a circular grid?
Yes. Set Grid shape to Circle under Chart options.
Your data stays private
Charts are drawn by your browser. Your data isn’t uploaded to our servers; it is kept only in this browser’s storage, for autosave and saved charts, until you clear it. See our privacy policy.