How to Create a Radial Bar Plot in R using ggplot2

Overview

A radial bar chart (also called a circular bar chart) is a type of bar chart plotted in a polar coordinate system, where bars radiate outward from a central point or are arranged around a circle. Each bar’s length represents the value of a category, but because bars are positioned at different angles and radii, outer bars appear longer even if their values are equal. Radial bar charts are visually striking and useful for comparing categories in a circular layout, but they can make value comparisons less precise than standard bar charts

Example of a Radial Bar Plot

Step-by-step Guide

To create a radial bar plot in R with the ggplot2 package.

Load the required libraries.

Set the working directory and load the dataset. (In this example, I will be using the Sample – Superstore dataset).

Next, let’s compute the proportion of Sales by Month using the code below.

See the computed percentages by month.

Create a new column “label” by appending percent values to month as shown below.

See the computed new column “label”.

Sort the data in descending order by Percent.

Next, let’s create a radial bar plot using the code below.

Executing the above code plots the radial bar plot below.

Formatting the Radial Bar Plot

You can format your view by incorporating title, labels, and declutter the view using the code below.

Executing the above code plots the radial bar plot below.

Conclusion

Radial bar charts offer a visually striking and intuitive way to present categorical data in a circular format. Their ability to emphasize differences in values while maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing structure makes them a valuable choice for data visualization. However, careful design considerations—such as proper scaling and clear labelling—are essential to ensure readability and accurate interpretation. When used effectively, radial bar charts can enhance storytelling in data-driven presentations, making complex information more accessible and engaging.

If you like the work we do and would like to work with us, drop us an email on our contacts page and we’ll reach out!

Thank you for reading!