Bar Charts
A bar chart is a diagram that displays categorical or discrete data using rectangular bars of equal width, where the height of each bar represents the frequency of that category. It is one of the most common ways to present survey and count data at GCSE, including single, dual and composite (stacked) bar charts.
Method
- Draw and label a horizontal axis for the categories and a vertical axis for the frequency, starting the frequency axis at 0.
- Choose a sensible, evenly-spaced scale for the frequency axis that fits all the data comfortably.
- Draw one bar per category, keeping every bar the same width with equal gaps between them.
- Make each bar's height match its frequency exactly, using the scale marked on the axis.
- Label both axes and give the chart a title.
- To read a value off a bar chart, trace from the top of the bar across to the frequency axis.
Worked example
28 pupils were asked how they travel to school and the results were: Walk 8, Cycle 5, Bus 11, Car 4. Draw a bar chart to show this information.
- Draw a horizontal axis with four categories: Walk, Cycle, Bus, Car.
- Draw a vertical frequency axis from 0 to at least 11, for example with gridlines every 1.
- Draw the Walk bar to a height of 8, Cycle to 5, Bus to 11 and Car to 4, all the same width with equal gaps.
- Label both axes ('Method of travel' and 'Number of pupils') and give the chart a title.
- Final answer: a bar chart with bars of height 8 (Walk), 5 (Cycle), 11 (Bus), 4 (Car).
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a GCSE Maths exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
The dual bar chart shows the favourite school subject of boys and girls in a class. Boys: Maths 9, Science 6, Art 4, PE 5. Girls: Maths 5, Science 8, Art 7, PE 3. (a) Write down the number of girls whose favourite subject is Science. (1) (b) Work out the total number of boys who took part in the survey. (2)
A bar chart compares the annual profit, in thousands of pounds, of Shop A and Shop B. Shop A had a profit of 36 (thousand pounds) and Shop B had a profit of 40 (thousand pounds). The vertical axis on the bar chart starts at 30 rather than 0. Explain why this bar chart could be misleading.
The composite (stacked) bar chart shows the number of male and female members who joined a gym in March, April and May, split into a male section and a female section. March: male 8, female 6. April: male 12, female 9. May: male 5, female 10. (a) Work out the total number of new members in April. (2) (b) Write down the month with the greatest total number of new members. (1) (c) Work out how many more members joined across all three months combined than joined in May alone. (1)
See real past-paper questions on bar charts, organised by topic with official mark schemes →
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the bar charts worksheet pack - 20 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. No sign-up, no email wall - just the PDF, free for personal and classroom use.
Next topics
Build a full practice pack.
This topic is one of hundreds in the library - pick the ones a student needs and generate a printable PDF in minutes.