📊 Bar chart

How to read a bar chart

1. Read the title and the labels, so you know what it shows.
2. Look at the scale up the side. What does it go up in? 1s, 2s, 5s, 10s?
3. Go to the top of the bar and read across to the scale.

This scale goes up in 2s. Thursday’s bar stops halfway between 6 and 8, so it shows 7.

Halfway between lines

Comparing bars

• Most / least: the tallest / shortest bar
• How many more: read both bars, then subtract
• Total: read every bar, then add

Watch out! Not every scale goes up in 1s. Read the numbers on the scale before you read a bar.

Top tip: use a ruler across from the top of the bar to the scale, so your reading stays level.