How to make a pie chart in Google Sheets
Learn how to build, format, and customize a pie chart in Google Sheets to visualize parts of a whole using your own spreadsheet data in minutes.
Quick answer
To make a pie chart in Google Sheets, select your labeled data range, then open the Insert menu and choose Chart. Google Sheets often picks a pie chart automatically for two-column data, or you can select Pie chart from the Chart type dropdown in the Chart editor's Setup tab.
Steps at a glance
- Select your data range including header labels.
- Open the Insert menu and click Chart.
- Choose Pie chart in the Chart editor's Setup tab.
- Customize slice colors, labels, and legend in the Customize tab.
- Adjust the chart title and slice text as needed.
- Click outside the chart editor to save your pie chart.
Summary
A pie chart in Google Sheets displays how individual categories contribute to a total, making it easy to spot the largest and smallest shares at a glance. Google Sheets builds the chart automatically from your data and lets you fully customize colors, labels, and legends without needing a paid plan.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Format your data correctly
Put a label or category name in your first column and a positive numeric value in your second column, with each row representing one slice of the pie. You can optionally add column headers in the first row, which Google Sheets will use as labels. If your rows aren't already organized logically, use sort a table in Google Sheets to arrange categories before charting.
Step 2
Select the data range
Click and drag across the cells containing your labels and values, including the header row if you have one. If your data is arranged in a clean table, you can also click a single cell inside it and Google Sheets will detect the full range automatically when you insert the chart.
Step 3
Open the Insert menu and choose Chart
Click Insert in the top menu, then select Chart from the dropdown list. Google Sheets inserts a chart onto your sheet immediately and opens the Chart editor panel on the right side of the screen. For a broader look at chart options beyond pie charts, see how to create a chart in Google Sheets.
Step 4
Choose Pie chart from the Chart type dropdown
In the Chart editor's Setup tab, click the Chart type dropdown menu. Scroll to the Pie section and pick Pie chart, 3D pie chart, or Donut chart depending on the style you want. Google Sheets updates the preview instantly so you can compare options before committing.
Step 5
Customize slice colors and labels
Switch to the Customize tab and expand the Pie chart section. Here you can change individual slice colors, set the Slice label to show none, value, or percentage, and adjust text formatting for readability.
Step 6
Add a chart title and legend
Still in the Customize tab, expand Chart & axis titles to add or edit a descriptive title for your chart. Expand the Legend section to choose its position, such as right, top, bottom, or none, and adjust font size or color to match your document style.
Step 7
Insert and save the chart
Click outside the Chart editor panel or close it to finalize your pie chart on the sheet. Drag the chart's corner handles to resize it, or click and drag the chart itself to reposition it wherever you need on the page.
Why this matters
You're presenting a budget breakdown, survey results, or sales mix to your team, and a table of numbers doesn't tell the story fast enough. Converting that data into a pie chart lets viewers instantly see which category dominates, making your next meeting or report clearer and more persuasive.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a 3D pie chart in Google Sheets?
Yes. Open the Chart editor's Setup tab, click the Chart type dropdown, and select 3D pie chart from the Pie section of options.
How do I show percentages instead of raw numbers on the chart?
Go to the Customize tab, expand Pie chart, and set Slice label to Percentage. This replaces raw values with the percentage each slice represents of the whole.
Can I change a pie chart into a different chart type later?
Yes. Click the chart, open the three-dot menu, choose Edit chart, and pick a new option from the Chart type dropdown, such as switching to make a bar graph instead.
Do I need a paid Google account to make a pie chart?
No. Pie charts and all standard customization options are available on the free version of Google Sheets with any Google account.
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