Stacked Line Graph Maker
Compare how multiple categories contribute to a total over time with stacked or 100% stacked line and area charts.
Export Graph
What Is a Stacked Line Graph?
A stacked line graph plots multiple series on top of each other so that each line represents a cumulative total - the value of the line at any point is the sum of its own contribution and everything below it. The top line shows the grand total. The space between lines (often filled in for clarity) shows how much each category contributes to that total over time.
Stacked line and stacked area charts are perfect for showing composition over time. Imagine you want to know not just how website traffic grew, but where that traffic came from - organic search, direct visits, social media, referrals. A stacked chart shows the total visitor count and the contribution of each channel in a single view. You see the trend and the mix together.
This free online stacked line graph maker supports both absolute stacking (raw cumulative values) and 100% stacked mode (each series shown as a percentage of the total). Add as many series as you need, customize colors, toggle area fills, and export as PNG, JPEG, or SVG. Built with ECharts and runs entirely in your browser - no signup, no upload, no data leaves your device.
Absolute Stack vs. 100% Stacked - Which to Use?
Absolute Stacked Lines
Each series sits on top of the others using its raw values. The top of the stack equals the actual total at that point in time. Use this when both the total magnitude and the breakdown matter - for example, total revenue split by product line, or total page views split by source.
100% Stacked (Percentage)
Each series is shown as a share of the total at every point, so the top line is always at 100%. The total magnitude is hidden, but composition becomes very easy to compare across time. Use this when you only care about the mix - for example, “what percentage of traffic came from each channel each month.”
When to Use a Stacked Line Chart
Stacked line and area charts shine whenever you need to show parts contributing to a whole, and how that breakdown changes over time. Common applications:
Web Traffic Sources
See total visitors plus the breakdown by organic, direct, social, paid, and referral - all in one chart. Great for monthly marketing reports and quarterly reviews.
Sales by Product Line
Track how revenue divides across product categories over time. A 100% stacked view shows whether you’re becoming more or less dependent on a single line.
User Demographics
Plot user counts by age group, region, or plan tier across months. Stacked charts show whether the audience is growing across the board or skewing toward one segment.
Expense Breakdowns
Salaries, infrastructure, marketing, R&D - track how each cost category contributes to monthly burn. Perfect for board decks and runway projections.
Survey & Poll Composition
Show how response distributions shift over multiple survey rounds. 100% stacked is ideal here because the total is always 100% of respondents.
Inventory & Operations
Stock by warehouse, server load by region, support tickets by category - any time you have parallel streams that combine into a meaningful total.
How to Build a Stacked Line Graph
- 1Enter your X-axis. These are the time labels (months, weeks, dates) shared across all your series. Type them in the Data Entry section, comma or space separated.
- 2Add your series.Each series gets its own values, name, and color. Click “Add Series” for each new category - traffic source, product line, expense bucket, whatever you’re breaking down.
- 3Choose the stack mode. Toggle between Absolute (raw totals) and 100% Stacked (percentage composition). Pick the one that answers the question you actually want to ask.
- 4Style and export. Toggle area fills, switch between smooth and straight lines, set your title and axis labels, then download your chart as PNG, JPEG, or SVG.
Best Practices for Stacked Line Charts
- Order series with the most stable at the bottom. Series at the bottom of the stack are easy to read because they sit on the X-axis. Put your largest, steadiest category there so the more volatile bands sit on a flat baseline.
- Limit the number of series.4-6 categories is usually the sweet spot. Beyond that, the chart becomes a multi-color blur. If you have many small categories, group the bottom ones into “Other.”
- Use distinct, accessible colors. Adjacent series need to be clearly distinguishable. Avoid using two similar shades next to each other - viewers will struggle to tell where one band ends and the next begins.
- Fill the areas for stacked area charts.The fill makes the “volume” of each series visually obvious. For uncluttered comparisons of just the totals, turn the fill off and stick to lines only.
- Pick the right stack mode for your question.Use absolute stacking when the total matters; switch to 100% stacked when only the composition matters. Don’t leave readers guessing.
- Need separate lines instead?If you’re comparing trends rather than parts of a whole, the Multi-Line Graph Maker keeps each series independent. For only two series, use the Double Line Graph Maker.
Stacked Line vs. Multi-Line vs. Stacked Bar
| Chart | Best For | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Stacked Line | Composition trends + total over time | Hard to compare middle/upper series exactly |
| Multi-Line | Comparing independent trends side by side | Doesn’t show cumulative total |
| Stacked Bar | Composition for distinct time periods (months) | Less effective for showing continuous trends |
| 100% Stacked | Pure share-of-total comparisons | Hides absolute magnitudes |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a stacked line graph?+
A stacked line graph plots multiple data series on top of each other so each line shows a cumulative running total. The top line represents the grand total, and the space between lines shows the contribution of each category.
What is the difference between a stacked line and a stacked area chart?+
A stacked line chart shows just the lines stacked on top of each other. A stacked area chart fills the space below each line with color. Functionally they’re the same - this tool lets you toggle the area fill on or off, so you can produce either style.
When should I use 100% stacked instead of absolute?+
Use 100% stacked when you only care about the proportional breakdown - what share each category represents at every point. Use absolute when both the total magnitude and the composition are important. They answer different questions, so pick based on what your audience needs to see.
How many series can I add?+
There’s no hard limit - the tool will handle dozens of series. But for readability, 4-6 series is usually the sweet spot. Beyond that, the chart becomes hard to interpret. Group smaller categories into an “Other” series if needed.
Can I import from Excel?+
Yes. Use a sheet where the first column is your X-axis labels and each remaining column is a series. The first row is the header (used for series names). Click “Import Excel” to load it.
Is my data private?+
Completely. The chart is rendered in your browser using ECharts - no servers process your data. Close the tab and the data is gone. Safe for sensitive financial figures, internal metrics, and user analytics.
What export formats are supported?+
PNG, JPEG, JPG, and SVG. PNG and JPEG are great for slides and documents. SVG is a vector format that stays sharp at any size, ideal for print and posters.
Explore More Chart Tools
Stacked line and area charts let you tell two stories at once - how a total has changed and how the underlying mix has shifted. They show up everywhere in modern analytics: marketing dashboards breaking down traffic sources, finance reports splitting expenses by category, product reviews tracking which features drive adoption. This free online stacked line graph maker handles absolute and 100% stacked modes, supports as many series as you need, and exports to clean PNG or SVG. No signup, no installs - it just works.