Bubble chart

Alternative name:

Balloon plot

A conventional scatter plot that shows a variable on the X-axis and another on the Y-axis. The bubble chart introduces a third variable in the form of different-sized bubbles.

Tips for use and when NOT to use

Scale bubbles to their values, but make sure they're not too big or too small, and limit their number to avoid overcrowding. Label both axes and each bubble with its corresponding value and category. Don't use this chart if the relationship between your variables isn't linear or if you need to show precise values. You can use colour to distinguish between categories or to show an extra data variable. And you can illustrate time either as a variable on one of the axes or by animating the data variables to show them changing over time.

Use case / Examples

1. To show the relationship between company size and revenue, with bubble size representing the number of employees.
2. To show the relationship between a company's investment in employee training and its overall employee retention rate, with bubble size representing the number of employees.

Question example:

What are your company's annual revenue, employee count and average employee tenure?

Recommended Survey Question Types:

Multiple mention, Numerical response, Single mention