Line Chart Types/Fundamentals

Fundamentals

Essential line chart patterns including basic, smoothed, and step lines. Learn styling primitives for communicating trends clearly in any data visualization project.

  • A standard single or multi-series line chart showing trends over an ordered domain. Includes interactive example, sample CSV data, and free PNG/SVG export in our online maker.

    line charttrendseriescategoriescontinuous

  • Curved spline lines emphasize overall tendencies while smoothing out noise. Ideal for presentations where visual clarity matters more than pinpoint accuracy. Try it free online.

    smooth linecurvesplinedenoisetrend smoothing

  • Stair-step transitions highlight discrete changes and hold periods in your data. Perfect for pricing tiers, status changes, and categorical shifts over time. Free online tool.

    step linestairdiscrete changehold

  • Compare several lines on shared axes to see which series leads, lags, or diverges over time. Ideal for regions, products, or cohorts that share one unit and scale. Interactive example and sample CSV included.

    multiple series line chartmulti line chartcompare linesmultiple lines graphmulti-line chart

  • A two-point line chart that connects "before" and "after" values so the rank and direction of change are instantly readable. Perfect for comparing many items across exactly two periods. Free interactive example and CSV.

    slope chartslope graphbefore and after charttwo point comparisonchange over time