When to use

At a glance

ComfortableCompact

Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.

Clarity74

Persuasion50

Density88

Craft cost45

School fit90

Work fit78

LessMore

Scatter plot encodes values as position of points on two quantitative axes. John Herschel plotted orbits; Galton’s 1880s regressions made the form famous.

In reports, ads and assignments it fits correlation, outliers and clusters in two measures. Skip it when one axis is not quantitative, or time is the real story.

Use when

• Use when 1 — Use Scatter plot when the story is correlation, outliers and clusters in two measures.
• Use when 2 — Build the first draft in Excel or Google Sheets, then restyle — do not screenshot.
• Use when 3 — In PowerPoint, one Scatter plot per slide, claim in the title.
• Use when 4 — For lab reports and poster boards, this form works when the question is comparison or process.
• Use when 5 — In Meta, Google and retail print, keep one number visible at thumbnail size.

Avoid when

• Avoid when 1 — Skip Scatter plot in cases like: one axis is not quantitative, or time is the real story.
• Avoid when 2 — 3-D, dual axes, rainbow scales
• Avoid when 3 — Undated numbers, undated time series
• Avoid when 4 — Four charts on one slide

Audiences

• Work — PowerPoint
• Ads — Meta, Google and retail print
• School — lab reports and poster boards

Scatter plot: honour position of points on two quantitative axes, and switch when one axis is not quantitative, or time is the real story.

← Anatomy Scatter plot Craft →