How to
How to make a Venn diagram
A Venn diagram shows what groups have in common and what sets them apart. Most makers ask you to type text into each region by hand. Here you list the members of each set and the overlaps are worked out for you, so the diagram is always consistent with your lists.
- Choose two or three circles. Two circles compare a pair of things. Three circles show every combination of three groups: seven regions in all.
- Name the sets and pick colors. Short names work best, since they sit above or below each circle.
- List the items. Type each item under every set it belongs to. If "Python" appears under both Web and Data, it is placed in the Web and Data overlap. An item under all three columns goes in the center.
- Show names or counts. Item names suit teaching and brainstorming. Counts suit survey results and larger lists.
- Export. Download a PNG or SVG, or copy the image into your slides.
Using Venn diagrams in class
Venn diagrams are a staple for compare and contrast work: two characters in a novel, two historical periods, plant and animal cells. Students list traits for each side, and the shared traits fall into the middle on their own, which makes a good starting point for a written comparison.
Tip
Spelling matters for matching. "USA" and "United States" count as two different items. Upper and lower case are ignored, so "python" and "Python" are treated as the same item.
Reading the regions
- Outer part of a circle: items that belong only to that set.
- Where two circles meet: items shared by those two sets and not the third.
- The center of three circles: items that belong to every set.
Are the circle sizes proportional?
No. All circles are drawn the same size so every region has room for its label. Switch Inside the circles to Counts when the numbers matter, and the diagram will show how many items fall in each region.
