How to
How to make a line plot
A line plot shows how often each value occurs by stacking one X above a number line for every data value. It is the plot taught in elementary math for measurement data, such as the lengths of pencils to the nearest quarter inch, and the one on worksheets that ask how many, which length was most common, or what all the lengths add up to.
- Type the values. One per measurement, separated by commas or new lines. Fractions like 1/2 and mixed numbers like 4 3/4 work, and so do decimals.
- Check the number line. It starts and ends on whole numbers around your data, with a tick for every step the data uses: halves, quarters or eighths.
- Label it. Add a title, a label under the line with the unit, and what one mark stands for.
- Read the summary. The count, smallest and largest values, range, total, mean, median and mode are worked out exactly, in fractions when you typed fractions.
- Download. PNG for a worksheet or slide, SVG for print, or copy the image straight into a document.
Line plot, dot plot and line graph
A line plot and a dot plot are the same idea: one mark per value, stacked where values repeat. Elementary math calls it a line plot and usually draws X marks; statistics courses call it a dot plot. A line graph is different: it joins points with lines to show a change over time, like temperature by month. If your data are values over time, you want the line graph maker.
Why fractions stay exact
Values like 1/3 or 5/8 cannot be written exactly as decimals, so this maker keeps every value as a fraction. Two values only stack when they are exactly equal, ticks land exactly on each fraction, and the total is given as a mixed number such as 84 1/2 rather than a rounded decimal. Switch the tick labels to decimals if your class uses them.
Tip
For data with many different decimal values, a line plot gets wide and flat. Group the values into ranges with a histogram, or list every digit with a stem and leaf plot.
Questions people ask
How do I create a line plot?
Draw a number line that covers your smallest and largest values, with a tick for every step your data uses, such as each quarter inch. Then put one X above the line for every value; when a value repeats, stack the new X on top. Give the plot a title and a label under the line saying what was measured.
What is the difference between a line plot and a line graph?
A line plot counts: it stacks one X for each data value above a number line, so the tallest stack is the most common value. A line graph shows change: points for values over time, joined by lines. In school math, line plots come first, often with measurements in fractions, and line graphs come later for trends.
How do you make a line plot with fractions?
Find the smallest fraction your data uses, such as fourths, and mark the number line in those steps between whole numbers. Type values like 3/4 or 2 1/2 here and the ticks are chosen for you. The summary shows the total and the difference between the largest and smallest values as fractions, which worksheet questions often ask for.
How to make a line graph for free?
If you mean a graph of values joined by lines, such as temperature by month, use the free line graph maker on this site: type or paste your data, then download it as PNG or SVG. This page makes line plots instead, the stacked X marks over a number line that are used for counting measurements.
Is there a free graph maker available?
Yes. Everything on graphsmith is free with no account: this line plot maker, a dot plot maker, bar, line and pie chart makers, histograms, box plots and more. The charts are drawn in your browser, nothing is uploaded, and you can download each one as a PNG image or an SVG file.