What Is a Sunburst?

This chart turns structured data into a visual pattern that is faster to scan than a raw table.

Use it when the reader should understand shape, comparison, distribution, proportion, or movement quickly.

Start With the Raw Data

Most charts begin with a small, structured table before the visual layer is added:

Label Value A Value B
Example 1 24 31
Example 2 30 28
Example 3 18 36

The raw values stay the same, but the visual structure makes patterns easier to spot: highs, lows, clusters, gaps, and unusual changes.

What This Chart Helps You See

Business reporting
Operational monitoring
Decision support

Common Ways to Use a Sunburst

  • Explain a business dataset more clearly than a plain table.
  • Show comparison, trend, distribution, or relationships depending on the chart type.
  • Support dashboards, reports, SEO articles, and stakeholder presentations.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I trim the number of values?

Too many points overwhelm viewers. Keep x-axis labels readable and rumble the data into summary points when possible.

How to Use the Live Example Below

Change the editable cells in the live example and save to see how the chart responds.

See Hierarchies at a Glance

Sunburst charts display hierarchical data as concentric rings. Each ring represents a level in the hierarchy, making it easy to understand composition and depth at once.

Revenue Breakdown Sunburst

Sunbursts work best when you want to show part-to-whole composition across multiple levels.

When to Use Sunburst Charts

  • When data is hierarchical and multi-level.
  • When you want an intuitive radial overview.
  • When a treemap feels too dense.