Use this free dot plot maker to show individual observations on a number line. Import one numeric column, review stacked repeated values, and export a dot plot as PNG or SVG. This dot plot generator keeps the original numeric positions.
CSV, TSV, XLS/XLSX or pasted cells. Your spreadsheet contents stay on this device.
Save or reopen data and style
Download a local file with your table, title, theme, source and notes. Reopening detects fields again; review chart-specific settings. No data is uploaded.
Start with your table or try the sample
One numeric column · up to 200 observations
No account or server-side file processing.
Paste data from Google Sheets
In Google Sheets, select the cells with their column headers and copy them. Choose Paste data above, paste the table, and choose Use pasted data. Copy the cell range rather than a chart image or a spreadsheet sharing URL.
Copy one raw numeric column and its header, then choose that column as Value field. Each row becomes one dot, up to 200 observations. Keep repeated measurements as separate rows; a second frequency column is not used as weights.
This is a separate chart made from the copied values; later changes in Sheets do not update it. The table is processed locally in your browser.
Input requirements
Give the chart the right data
Use a header and one raw numeric observation per row, up to 200 observations. Equal numeric values stack vertically; 1 and 1.0 count as the same value. Negatives, decimals, and consistently formatted percentages are supported. Blank selected cells must be corrected. This is not a frequency-table input.
Maximum import: 10 MB, 2,000 rows including the header, 100 columns, and 20,000 cells. This tool accepts zero or absolute numeric values between 10⁻⁹ and 10¹²; rescale extreme values first. Excel imports read the first worksheet.
Choose deliberately
When to use a dot plot
A small distribution such as books read, delivery days, or repeated measurements. Each dot represents one observation, so you can count exact repetitions rather than infer them from a bin. The frequency table preserves the full source precision.
When to choose another chart
Use a histogram for a large or densely spaced distribution, or a box plot to compare group summaries. This is a stacked distribution dot plot, not a Cleveland category-comparison chart or a scatter plot with two numeric variables. No values are jittered or silently rounded.
From table to figure
Three steps to a useful chart
Import and review
Upload a spreadsheet, paste cells, or load fictional sample data. Review the automatically selected fields and correct them if necessary.
Read and refine
Inspect the values and any data warnings. Choose a publication style, canvas, title, and source note.
Export your result
Download editable SVG or PNG at 1×, 2×, or 3×. The original spreadsheet contents stay in your browser.
Before you create your chart
How does this dot plot generator stack values?
Values are parsed as numbers, sorted on the horizontal axis, and counted. Equal values occupy one vertical stack, with one dot per observation. Different numeric values are never merged into bins.
Can I paste a list from Google Sheets?
Yes. Copy one numeric column with its header, choose Paste data, and review Value field. Up to 200 observations are supported. Use the frequency table to confirm the exact values and counts.
Can I use decimal or negative values?
Yes. Numeric position is preserved. Decimal places changes axis labels, not the underlying values. Nearby values may be too dense to display as separate readable dots; use a smaller point size or a histogram.
Why is my dense chart not exportable?
If separate stacks or individual dots cannot fit legibly, the preview explains the problem and export is blocked. Try a larger canvas or smaller dots, or use a histogram. The frequency table remains available.
Can I enter values with a frequency column?
This version expects one row per observation. A second frequency column is not used as weights. Expand the observations first or choose a bar chart to display already summarized counts.
What is the difference between a dot plot and a scatter plot?
This dot plot shows one measured variable, with vertical stacking used only to count repeated values. A scatter plot places each observation using two measured variables, X and Y.
Does Charttoolbox upload my data?
Spreadsheet contents are parsed, calculated, and rendered locally. Optional Google Analytics loads only after consent and does not receive filenames, spreadsheet contents, or generated chart data.
Explore related chart tools
Use a tool that matches the question you are asking.
For a small set of non-negative integers, the stem-and-leaf plot maker shows each original final digit beside its stem. Try it when individual values matter; use a histogram for a larger or denser set.
Read the stacks before drawing a conclusion
In the fictional books sample, 15 observations produce 15 dots. Four dots at 3 mean four observations recorded three books. Stack height is a count, not a second measured variable. Negative values or decimals work the same way when they make sense for your measure.
A histogram groups observations into intervals and is better for a large or dense distribution. A box plot summarizes quartiles and outliers across groups. A scatter plot needs two numeric measurements for each observation. Compare inputs in the histogram versus bar chart guide.
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