Distribution
Histogram
Shows frequency distribution of a numeric variable by grouping values into bins.
Exam Score Distribution
Class of 2025
View data (15 rows)
| Score |
|---|
| 45 |
| 52 |
| 58 |
| 62 |
| 65 |
| 68 |
| 70 |
| 72 |
| 75 |
| 78 |
| 80 |
| 82 |
| 85 |
| 88 |
| 95 |
Use a histogram when…
- Understanding data spread and shape
- Finding modes and outliers
- Checking normality
Avoid when…
- Categorical data (use bar chart)
- Comparing distributions (use box plot)
Data it needs
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Min Rows | 10 |
| Min Columns | 1 |
| Column Types | number |
Visual anatomy
Marks
rectangle
Channels
position-xheight
Axes
x-quantitative (binned)y-frequency
Guiding principles
Consider instead
Common mistakes
Choosing wrong bin width
Confusing with bar chart (histograms have no gaps)
Over- or under-binning that hides modal structure (use Sturges' rule or Freedman-Diaconis as a starting point)
History
Introduced by Karl Pearson in 1895 as part of his foundational work establishing mathematical statistics as a formal discipline.
Accessibility notes
Label x-axis units explicitly so units don't have to be inferred from the title. Maintain WCAG AA contrast between bars and background. Provide bin counts as a table for screen readers.
Related reading
Got data? Let's see what works.
Drop your CSV. You'll get a Histogram plus four alternatives - ranked by which one actually fits your data best.