A good pie chart answers one question at a glance: how does the whole divide up? Market share, budget split, survey answers, time allocation. This pie chart maker computes the percentages for you, places readable labels, and keeps slices separated with crisp hairlines so even similar colors stay distinct.
No sign-up, no upload, no locked features: edit your data, pick a palette, download the result.
How to make a pie chart online
- List your slices. One row per slice: a label and a value. Raw numbers are fine; percentages are calculated automatically, so 46 + 24 + 14 doesn’t need to add up to 100.
- Order or sort. Slices start at 12 o’clock and run clockwise in row order. Flip on “Sort slices by size” to arrange them largest-first, the convention most readers expect.
- Choose the look. Pick one of eight palettes, decide whether slices show percentages or raw values, and position the legend where it reads best.
- Download. Export as PNG or SVG, copy the image to the clipboard, or share the chart as a self-contained link.
When should you use a pie chart?
Pie charts are at their best with a handful of slices that genuinely form a whole: one budget, one market, one hundred percent of respondents. Readers judge each slice against the full circle, which works beautifully when one or two slices dominate.
The classic failure mode is too many slices: beyond five or six, the small ones become indistinguishable slivers. Group minor categories into an “Other” slice, or switch to a horizontal bar chart, which compares many categories far more precisely.
If you want the clean look of a pie with a modern feel and space for a total in the middle, try the donut chart: same data, same editor, one click away.
Quick tips for a chart people trust
- Five slices or fewer is the sweet spot; merge the long tail into “Other”.
- Sort slices largest-first unless the categories have a natural order.
- Show percentages on slices and keep exact values for the subtitle or a table.
- Make sure your slices are parts of one whole; a pie of unrelated metrics misleads.
Frequently asked questions
Does the pie chart calculate percentages automatically?
Yes. Enter raw values (sales, votes, hours) and each slice’s share of the total is computed and displayed automatically. You can switch labels between percentages and raw values in the Style tab.
How many slices should a pie chart have?
The chart supports many, but readability research and common sense agree on five or fewer. Small slices get labels only when they’re wide enough to fit one; merging small categories into “Other” keeps the story crisp.
Can I make a 3D pie chart?
No, and that’s deliberate. 3D perspective distorts slice areas (the slice closest to the viewer looks bigger than it is), which misleads readers. A flat pie with clean colors communicates honestly and looks more professional in 2026 than a tilted 3D disc.
Pie chart or bar chart: which should I pick?
Pie when the message is “parts of a whole” and there are few parts; bars when readers need to compare categories precisely or there are many of them. Human eyes judge lengths better than angles, so when in doubt, bars are the safer choice.
Is the download really free, without a watermark?
Yes. PNG, SVG and clipboard export are all free with no account. A small graphmint.app caption appears by default and can be turned off with one toggle before you export.