Scatter Plot
Reveals relationships, clusters and outliers between two numeric variables.
What question it answers
Is there a relationship, cluster, or outlier between two numeric variables?
Where to use it
Analytical views exploring relationships, clusters, and outliers such as spend versus revenue.
When to use it
Use it to inspect the relationship between two numeric variables and reveal clusters, spread and outliers.
When not to use it
Avoid it when one variable is categorical or when the task is simply to compare totals across named groups.
Responsive design
Protect plotting area first, reduce axis ticks, and provide tap/focus access to points because hover is unavailable on touch screens.
Arabic and RTL
Keep both numeric axes mathematically consistent; localize labels and controls without mirroring the coordinate relationship itself.
Anatomy
- Chart context
- Names both variables and the unit of observation (each dot is one campaign), so the pattern can be interpreted.
- Points
- Each point is one observation. Clusters, trends and outliers are the findings; add transparency when points overlap.
- X variable (axis)
- The explanatory variable, usually the one you control or suspect as the cause (for example ad spend).
- Y variable (axis)
- The outcome you are checking (for example revenue). A visible relationship still does not prove causation.
Accessibility
- Make individual points focusable when exact values matter and provide a textual summary of the relationship.
All lessons
- Bar Chart — Compares values across categories using length on a common scale.
- Line Chart — Shows change across an ordered sequence, most often time.
- Area Chart — Emphasizes magnitude over an ordered sequence by filling the area under a line.
- Pie / Donut Chart — Shows a small number of parts that make up one meaningful whole.
- Scatter Plot — Reveals relationships, clusters and outliers between two numeric variables.
- Histogram — Shows the distribution of a numeric variable across value ranges.
- Box Plot — Summarizes distribution, median, spread and potential outliers compactly.
- Heatmap — Uses color intensity across a matrix to reveal patterns and concentration.
- Treemap — Shows hierarchical part-to-whole relationships through nested rectangles.
- Funnel Chart — Shows how a population changes through ordered stages of a process.
- Waterfall Chart — Explains how positive and negative contributions produce a final total.
- Sparkline — Shows a compact trend without the full framing of a standard chart.
- Gauge — Shows one value within a bounded range when position against a threshold matters.
- Combo Chart — Combines compatible visual marks when two related measures need coordinated comparison.
- Geographic Data Map — Maps values to locations or regions when geography is part of the question.
- KPI / Stat Card — Presents one important metric with enough context to judge its current value and change.
- Data Table — Presents structured records in rows and columns, with table-level search, filtering, sorting, selection and pagination treated as parts of the whole component.
- Dashboard Card / Panel — Groups one coherent dashboard task, metric or visualization into a bounded region with clear hierarchy.
- Filter Bar — Places the most important scope controls close to the data they affect.
- Filter Panel — Collects a larger set of filtering controls in a dedicated surface.
- Date Picker / Date Range Picker — Lets users choose one date or a bounded time range for reports, filters and analytics.
- Sidebar Navigation — Provides persistent access to major dashboard destinations and groups.
- Top App Bar — Holds page identity, global actions and high-priority controls at the top of an application.
- Breadcrumbs — Shows hierarchy and provides a path back through nested dashboard levels.
- Tabs — Switches between peer views inside the same dashboard context.
- Alert / Banner — Communicates important contextual or page-wide information that should remain visible until understood or resolved.
- Toast — Confirms a brief asynchronous outcome without blocking the current task.
- Notification Center — Collects system and workflow updates that users may need to revisit.
- Dropdown / Overflow Menu — Moves lower-priority or contextual actions into an on-demand menu.
- Modal / Dialog — Creates a focused temporary task that may block interaction with the underlying dashboard.
- Drawer / Side Panel — Opens contextual controls or details from an edge while preserving the page behind it.