Turn your data into a donut chart.

Design a donut chart with a useful center

A donut chart turns category values into segments of a ring. The open center creates room for a total or short context label, making this format especially useful in dashboards, reports, and compact presentation layouts. This tool keeps every edit in your browser and updates the chart as the table changes.

Import a clean category breakdown

Provide one category column and at least one non-negative value column. You can import CSV, TSV, TXT, JSON, XLSX, or XLS data, paste rows directly, or enter values in the editable table. Before applying an import, select the worksheet, map the category and value columns, add optional rings, and review which rows will be included.

The chart calculates each segment from the visible total. Counts, currency amounts, time allocations, and normalized shares all work, provided every value uses the same unit. Empty, negative, and non-numeric cells are treated as invalid rather than being allowed to distort the ring.

Choose the right hole size

The hole-size control changes the balance between segment area and center space. A smaller opening gives the arcs more visual weight; a larger opening provides room for the center total and makes the chart feel lighter. Keep enough ring thickness for narrow segments and internal labels to remain legible.

Use the center as a summary, not a second chart

Show the computed total in the middle and pair it with a brief label such as Revenue, Responses, or Hours. The center text adapts to the selected background. Hide it when the total is not meaningful or when the chart will be exported at a very small size.

Order and color segments deliberately

Choose a palette with enough separation between neighboring segments, then use the editable table to arrange categories in a logical sequence. The start-angle and direction settings can place an important segment near the top without changing its value. Slice spacing should stay subtle because large gaps weaken the impression of one complete total.

When a donut chart communicates well

Donut charts work best for a modest number of mutually exclusive categories that form one recognizable whole, such as departmental spending, channel mix, project effort, or product revenue. They are less effective when readers must compare many similar values or detect small differences; a sorted bar chart is usually clearer for those tasks.

Comparing more than one ring

An additional ring can show the same categories for another period or scenario. Keep category order identical and name each ring clearly. Because concentric arcs are difficult to compare precisely, reserve multiple rings for broad pattern changes and use a grouped chart when exact differences matter.

Check the final export

Download PNG or SVG output with preset or custom dimensions, render scaling, and an optional transparent background. Use the preview to confirm that the legend, center summary, segment labels, and narrow arcs remain readable at the size where the chart will actually appear.

Practical example: explain a monthly budget

Place categories such as housing, food, transport, savings, and other expenses around one ring, with total spending in the center. The chart answers a broad composition question quickly: which categories account for most of the whole? Keep the source period and currency visible, and include every material category so the circle represents a complete total.

Do not let the hole hide weak comparisons

The center creates room for one useful summary, but it also reduces the arc area available to judge slices. Similar segments remain difficult to rank, especially when there are many categories. Use a horizontal bar chart when exact ordering or close differences are the main message, and reserve the donut for a simple part-to-whole overview.

Accessibility and labeling checklist

Use direct values or percentages when space permits, keep sufficient contrast between adjacent segments, and never depend on color alone. Match legend order to slice order, avoid tiny text inside narrow arcs, and provide the underlying values in nearby text or a table when the chart supports an important decision.