Scatter Plot Generator

Scatter Plot Generator

A scatter plot shows the relationship between two numerical values. Each dot represents a pair: its X coordinate sets the horizontal position and its Y coordinate sets the height. Use it to inspect measurement scatter, clusters or unusual observations. This Scatter Plot Generator reads pasted data or a local file, lets you choose the columns and produces a chart for a report or presentation. Unlike a line chart, it does not connect observations in their table order. The spacing along the X axis reflects numerical values rather than category positions.

How it works

Paste CSV, TSV, JSON or XML into the text field, or load a file. For Excel workbooks, use XLSX. The tool automatically detects commas, semicolons and tabs in text tables. Select the delimiter manually if the resulting columns do not match your source. Check whether the first row contains column headings. Give each observation its own row and keep units consistent within each measurement column.

After reading the data, select a numerical X column. Use the column checkboxes to choose the Y series you want to compare. Up to eight series share the same X column. The row range lets you focus on part of the table without editing the source. Add a title and axis labels, including units where useful. Choose small, medium or large dots, then click Create chart. Changing a setting does not redraw the chart until you click the button again.

For a simple example, the pairs (1, 2), (2, 4) and (3, 6) lie on a straight line. The optional trend line describes y = 2x, with r² equal to 1. Real measurements usually scatter around the fitted line. A linear Y scale uses equal spacing for equal differences. A logarithmic Y scale helps compare positive values across orders of magnitude. It cannot represent zero or negative values.

What the tool can and cannot do

You can show a legend, grid and data labels. Save the chart as SVG, PNG or JPEG. SVG stays sharp when enlarged and supports further editing in a vector graphics program. PNG suits documents and screen graphics. JPEG uses a white background. Dot size controls appearance, not a third measured variable as it would in a bubble chart. Smaller dots can make overlapping observations easier to inspect.

The trend line uses a linear least-squares fit. It does not establish causation, and a high r² does not prove that one measurement causes the other. Outliers can shift the line substantially. Check the source values and units before drawing conclusions. The tool does not provide significance tests, confidence bands or nonlinear models. Large tables can slow the browser, so processing time depends on the data and your device.

Why local browser processing

Your browser reads the table and draws the chart on your device. The chart function does not send your input to a server. That suits internal measurement logs or unpublished results. You do not need an account. Once the required resources have loaded, you can continue offline. Excel support loads only when you first use an XLSX file, so load that support before disconnecting if you plan to open workbooks offline.

Frequently asked questions