Reading Bar Graphs

A bar graph is a visual way to show information using bars of different heights or lengths to represent numbers.

To read a bar graph, look at the labels on the bottom and the numbers on the side to understand what each bar represents.

Each bar represents a different category or group of data.

Add the heights of all the bars together to find the total number of items.

A taller bar means that there are more items in that category compared to the shorter bar.

Look at the heights of the bars for each category; the taller bar has more items.

The title tells you what the bar graph is about.

The labels on the bottom show the different categories or groups being compared.

The numbers on the side represent the quantity or amount of items in each category.

Subtract the height of the shorter bar from the height of the taller bar.