How to Create Pie and Doughnut Charts in PowerPoint

Pie charts are the most controversial chart type in data visualization. They're overused, often misused, and yet — when applied to the right data — they communicate "parts of a whole" instantly.

When Pie Charts Work

Pie charts are effective only under specific conditions:

1. You have 2–5 slices. More than five and the slices become too thin to compare.
2. The data represents parts of a whole that sum to 100%.
3. One or two slices dominate and you want to highlight them.
4. Approximate comparison is sufficient. If the audience needs to know that one slice is exactly 3% larger than another, use a bar chart.

When to Avoid Pie Charts

• More than 5 categories — Switch to a horizontal bar chart
• Similar-sized slices — Humans can't reliably compare angles within ~5% of each other
• Comparing across time periods — Two pie charts side by side are nearly impossible to compare. Use a grouped bar or line chart.
• Negative values or values that don't sum to 100% — Pie charts break entirely

Designing Effective Pie Charts

Slice Order

• Start the largest slice at the 12 o'clock position
• Order remaining slices by size, clockwise
• Group tiny slices into an "Other" category if they're individually <5%

Labels

• Label slices directly with both the category name and percentage
• Place labels outside the pie with leader lines if slices are thin
• Never rely on a separate legend — direct labeling is always clearer

Color

• Use your accent color for the key slice you want to highlight
• Use progressively lighter shades or grays for remaining slices
• Never use a different saturated color for every slice (rainbow pie)

Don'ts

• No 3D perspective — it distorts slice areas and makes front slices look larger
• No exploded slices unless you're highlighting exactly one
• No rotation that puts important slices at hard-to-read angles

Doughnut Charts

Doughnut charts are pie charts with a hole in the center. They offer two advantages:

1. Center space for a label — Put the total, a key stat, or an icon in the center
2. Slightly easier comparison — Arc length along the outer edge is marginally easier to compare than pie angles

When to Use Doughnut Over Pie

• When you want to display a total or summary stat in the center
• When you have a clean, modern aesthetic
• When showing progress toward a goal (e.g., 73% complete)

Doughnut Design Tips

• Make the hole 40–60% of the chart diameter
• Keep the center label large and bold — it's the focal point
• Use the same slice ordering and color rules as pie charts

Alternatives to Consider

Before committing to a pie or doughnut, consider:

Common Mistakes

Next: Scatter Plots and Bubble Charts