Small multiples
Small multiples are a visualization technique presenting related charts with consistent structure to compare different data subsets or categories.
Everyday Data Visualization
A visualization technique that displays a series of similarly structured charts, each representing a subset or category of the data.
- How it is used
- Replaces tangled multi-category line charts with grids that support comparison across categories.
- How deep it goes
- Explains the perceptual rationale, selection trade-offs, and dashboard use without prescribing implementation details.
- Examples
- Uses country and company comparisons, category sales lines, disparity visualization, and segmented KPI dashboards.
- What you can do after
- Apply it to replace crowded category charts and retain segment-to-total context in dashboard views.
Read how Everyday Data Visualization explains small multiples →
D3.js in Action, Third Edition
A small multiple is one of a series of related visualizations that share scales and axes while showing different aspects or subsets of data.
- How it is used
- Uses repeated charts to compare data subsets while preserving a responsive visualization layout.
- How deep it goes
- Builds the pattern through responsive SVG sizing, grid calculations, child components, radial axes, labels, and chart elements.
- Examples
- Shows yearly Van Gogh charts with circular months, area charts, bars, clustered circles, labels, and a responsive timeline.
- What you can do after
- Build it from scratch with Svelte, SVG, and D3 by rendering responsive repeated charts with shared radial structure.
Read how D3.js in Action, Third Edition explains small multiples →
Related concepts
- scaleuses · A visualization scale maps data values to visual values such as positions, colors, or sizes.
- line plotaddresses · A line plot is a chart that connects ordered data values with line segments to show changes, relationships, or trends.
- multiline chartalternative to · A line chart containing multiple plotted lines that represent separate series across a shared dimension.
- visualizationkind of · Visualization is the representation of data, information, or concepts in visual form to support inspection, interpretation, analysis, or communication.
- dashboardpart of · A dashboard is a visual interface that consolidates selected data, metrics, or status information for monitoring, analysis, or decision-making.
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