Advancedhierarchy
Icicle Chart
A rectangular partitioned layout showing hierarchy from top to bottom.
Quick Facts
Complexity
advanced
Category
hierarchy
Icicle Chart · Example Data
When to use a Icicle Chart
- Hierarchical composition where a rectangular layout is preferred
- File system and directory tree visualization
- When comparing widths is more important than the radial aesthetic
- Hierarchical navigation in applications
About the Icicle Chart
An icicle chart (also called a partition chart) is a rectangular visualization of hierarchy. The root spans the full width at the top, and each level subdivides its parent's width proportionally. It is essentially a sunburst chart "unrolled" into a rectangular form.
Icicle charts are often easier to read than sunbursts for deep hierarchies because the segments are rectangles (easier to compare widths than arc lengths). They work well for hierarchical navigation interfaces.