Intermediaterelationship
Bubble Chart
Extend a scatter plot with a third variable encoded as bubble size.
Quick Facts
Complexity
intermediate
Category
relationship
Bubble Chart · Example Data
When to use a Bubble Chart
- Three continuous variables where size adds meaningful information
- Country/market comparisons (e.g., GDP vs. life expectancy vs. population)
- Product portfolio analysis (e.g., revenue vs. growth vs. market size)
About the Bubble Chart
A bubble chart adds a third dimension to a scatter plot by encoding a third variable as the size (area) of each point (bubble). This allows you to explore three continuous variables simultaneously in 2D space.
Size perception is non-linear, so encode the third variable in bubble area (not radius or diameter). Too many bubbles create overlapping confusion — limit to 20–30 data points.