Nested bar graphs

 lollipop graphs theses are exactly what they sound like lollipops that look like graphs. Now you may be wondering what exactly you would use this for and that is exactly what we are going over today along with some graphs I made myself. 

so lets begin with things we will use this type of graph

If you have 10 or fewer items to compare  like countries, companies, or products lollipop graphs can make the differences clear while maintaining visual simplicity.
Example: Comparing the average screen time across different age groups.

The “lollipop head” naturally draws attention to the specific values, rather than the overall bar length. This makes it great when the exact data values matter, not just their proportions.
Example: Displaying test scores or performance metrics where individual results are important.

Lollipop charts have a modern, minimal look that fits perfectly into presentations, infographics, and dashboards. If design matters  and you want to keep your visuals sleek  they’re a great choice.

Because they use thin lines instead of full bars, lollipop graphs can save horizontal or vertical space while still conveying the same message.

Now lets take a look on when its not a good idea along with my personal graphs

If your dataset includes more than 10–15 categories, the chart quickly becomes cluttered. The lines start overlapping, and your viewers will struggle to read the labels. In those cases, stick with a bar chart or summary table.

Lollipop graphs only work well for single values per category. They don’t display multiple data series or stacked values clearly  that’s what grouped or stacked bar charts are for.

Although lollipop graphs highlight data points, they don’t always make it easy to read precise numerical differences, especially if the dots are close together. If your audience needs to read exact numbers, consider using a labeled bar chart.

For some audiences, lollipop graphs may seem unfamiliar or “too fancy.” If your goal is simplicity or speed of understanding, the humble bar chart might still be your best option.

Below are the two graphs I have created.