Building an SVG Area Chart by Hand
An area chart is a line chart whose path closes back along the baseline, producing a filled region beneath the line.
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Closing the Path Back Along the Baseline
An area chart's path begins exactly like a line chart's, tracing scaled data points left to right, but then continues down to the baseline at the final x position, back along the baseline to the starting x, and closes, producing a fillable region beneath the data line.
- The path traces scaled data points left to right like a line chart
- It then drops to the baseline and returns along it to the start
- Closing the path produces a fillable region beneath the data line
Fill Opacity and Overlapping Series
Because filled areas occlude whatever sits behind them, charts showing multiple overlapping series need partial fill opacity so lower series remain visible, though beyond two or three overlapping areas a stacked area chart or separate small multiples usually reads more clearly.
- Filled areas occlude anything rendered behind them
- Partial fill opacity keeps overlapping series visible
- Beyond two or three series, stacking or small multiples read better
Frequently Asked Questions
How is an area chart path different from a line chart path?
It's identical through the data points, then adds commands dropping to the baseline and returning along it before closing, which creates the fillable region.
Should area charts always start their y axis at zero?
Generally yes, since the filled area's visual weight implies magnitude from zero, and a truncated axis makes that filled region misleading.
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