Chart type · Trend
Scatter
How to read it
Each point is one case, placed by two measures. Look at the shape of the cloud before you look at the trendline.
Best for
Relationships between two measures — and for showing when there isn't one, or when one case bends it.
When not to use it
There are too few points to show a shape — below about fifteen, a scatter invites a pattern that is not there.
The common mistake
Reading the trendline as causation. A fitted line describes the points; it does not explain them.
Example data
Does more spending buy longer lives?
Health spending per person vs life expectancy
- Asia
- Europe
- Americas
- Oceania
Point at a dot, or focus the chart and use the arrow keys.
The sample dataset this format ships with, drawn the way the site draws every clip's numbers — hover, sort or step through it. Figures as given by its source line: Illustrative example data, approximate figures: verify before publishing.
Examples
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