Table of contents

  1. Keep it simple (KISS)
  2. Chart size
  3. Number of lines per chart
  4. Location of y-axis
  5. Gridlines and unit intervals
  6. Gaps between bars
  7. Borders and backgrounds
  8. 3D and other chart effects

Print this page

Download as PDF

Chart size

The chart should not feel separate from the main content (article or bulletin).

Be consistent

Use the same font type and size for charts as the body font in the surrounding text.

Example of chart using the same font type and size as surrounding text

Unemployed adults age 16 to 64 by region
England, 1993

Example of a bar chart where the size of the font is the same as the surrounding text on the page.

Example of chart with smaller font than surrounding text

Unemployed adults age 16 to 64 by region
England, 1993

Example of a bar chart where the size of the font is smaller than the surrounding text on the page.

Example of chart with larger font than surrounding text

Unemployed adults age 16 to 64 by region
England, 1993

Example of a bar chart where the size of the font is larger than the surrounding text on the page.