Area chart / area graph
Start with one ordered series when you want the filled area to emphasize magnitude as well as trend.
Preview
Also works as16:9
2.1s / 2.1s
Area chart maker
Export
Loading account
Show trend, magnitude, and cumulative composition
Understanding area chart
Use Vizvero as a free online area chart maker, area graph generator, or area plot creator. Paste ordered spreadsheet data, choose one or multiple series, switch between overlapping and stacked layouts, customize the curve and fill, then animate and export the result.
An area chart, also commonly called an area graph, is a line-based chart with the space under the boundary filled with color. The fill gives magnitude more visual weight than a line alone, which makes area charts useful for ordered trends where volume matters as well as direction.
With multiple series, Vizvero can draw each area from the same zero baseline or stack non-negative series cumulatively. Overlap keeps every series independent; Stacked shows both the combined total and how each component contributes to it.
Because area is encoded relative to a baseline, Vizvero includes zero in the Y domain. This keeps the filled magnitude interpretable instead of exaggerating it with a truncated baseline.
Use this chart when
- You want to show change across an ordered axis while emphasizing magnitude.
- You need to compare a few area series from the same baseline.
- You have additive non-negative series and want a stacked area chart that shows total volume plus composition.
Choose another chart when
- Small changes need a tightly focused scale; a line chart may reveal them more clearly.
- You have many overlapping series; filled regions can hide one another.
- Your stacked series contain negative values; use Overlap for now because Vizvero limits stacked area to non-negative data.
- The horizontal values are two continuous variables rather than an ordered sequence; use a scatter plot.
Prepare your data
- 01Use one ordered label/category column and one or more numeric series.
- 02Keep rows in the exact sequence every boundary should follow.
- 03Use Overlap when the series are independent and Stacked when they are additive parts of one meaningful total.
- 04Stacked layout currently requires non-negative selected values so each cumulative band has an unambiguous baseline.
Editable examples
Area chart examples and layouts
See the layout with real sample data first, then open the exact example in this maker and replace the data with your own.
Four-step workflow
How to make a area chart in Vizvero
- STEP 1
Paste ordered data
Add one label column plus one or more numeric series from a spreadsheet or CSV.
- STEP 2
Choose overlap or stacked
Keep series on the same zero baseline for direct comparison, or stack non-negative additive series to show total volume and composition.
- STEP 3
Tune the curve and labels
Switch between straight and smooth boundaries, then show or hide points, value labels, grid lines, and axes.
- STEP 4
Style, animate, and export
Adjust theme, line width, point size, and fill opacity, preview Reveal or Spotlight motion, then export PNG, SVG, or MP4.
Make the chart easier to read
- Use moderate fill opacity so axes, labels, and neighboring series remain readable.
- Keep overlapping charts to a small number of series; if many filled shapes collide, a line chart is usually clearer.
- Stack only series that use the same unit and genuinely add to a meaningful total.
- Keep the horizontal order truthful because changing row order changes the story of every area boundary.
From data to finished asset
Designed themes
Change typography, spacing, geometry, axes, background, and palette without rebuilding the chart.
Static and animated export
Export the same chart scene as PNG, true vector SVG, or frame-rendered MP4.
Browser-first workflow
Editing and chart rendering happen in the browser, so you can work without creating an account.
Frequently asked questions
Is an area chart the same as an area graph?
Yes. Area chart and area graph are commonly used for the same filled trend visualization. Area plot is another term you may see for the same basic form.
What is a stacked area chart?
A stacked area chart adds each non-negative series on top of the previous series at every category. The top boundary shows the combined total while each colored band shows one component.
Can I make a multiple area chart?
Yes. Add or select multiple numeric series. Use Overlap to draw each series from the same zero baseline or Stacked when the series are additive parts of a total.
Can a stacked area chart contain negative values?
Vizvero currently limits Stacked layout to non-negative selected values. If negative values are present, switch to Overlap or remove the negative values.
What is the difference between an area chart and a line chart?
Both show an ordered trend, but an area chart fills the space to a baseline and gives magnitude more visual emphasis. A line chart is often clearer when precise relative change matters more than volume.
Why does Vizvero include zero on area charts?
The filled region is measured against the baseline. Including zero reduces the risk of visually overstating magnitude with a truncated baseline.
Can I change the fill transparency?
Yes. The Design panel includes an Area fill control so you can make overlapping or stacked bands quieter or more prominent.
Can I export an animated area chart?
Yes. Area charts use the same deterministic scene for preview and export, with PNG, SVG, and MP4 available.
Keep exploring