Circle packing

Alternative name:

Packed circle diagram; packed circle chart; circular treemap

This is a visualisation that uses circles nested within larger circles to represent hierarchical data, with circle size indicating value or quantity. It's a variation of a tree map that uses circles instead of rectangles, and is a good way to show relationships between categories.

Tips for use and when NOT to use

Too many categories or levels will make the visualisation cluttered. Label each circle clearly and use colour to differentiate your categories. Make sure that the area of each circle is proportional to its value. If you need to precisely compare, a bar chart or a treemap might be more effective.

Use case / Examples

1. To show the size and structure of company departments.
2. To represent the structure of a company's risk management framework, with each circle representing a different type of risk.

Question example:

How is your company's sustainability budget allocated across the following categories and sub-categories?

Recommended Survey Question Types:

Multiple mention, Numerical response, Single mention

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