Use a line graph
Use a line graph when order and continuity matter. Connecting values makes direction, turning points, and the rate of change easier to follow across dates or ordered categories.
Line Graph Maker
Create a line graph online for free with no signup. Plot dates or categories, compare multiple numeric series, and see changes update live.
- ✓ Free
- ✓ No signup
- ✓ No watermark
- ✓ Data stays in your browser
Graph editor
Loading your locally saved graph…
How to make a line graph
- 1
Add dates or categories
Enter values manually, paste a spreadsheet table, or upload CSV or Excel data.
- 2
Add one or more series
Place each measurement in its own numeric column and use clear headers for legend labels.
- 3
Customize and export
Adjust titles, grid, colors, and labels, then download the result as PNG or SVG.
What is a line graph?
A line graph connects numeric observations across an ordered horizontal scale. It is especially useful for showing how one or more measurements change over time.
This line graph creator detects valid dates and spaces them on a true time axis. For named categories, it keeps evenly spaced category positions instead. Each numeric column becomes its own line.
Example line graph data
The first column contains dates. Visitors and Orders are plotted as two lines on the same true time axis.
| Date | Visitors | Orders |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-01 | 620 | 18 |
| 2026-01-05 | 710 | 23 |
| 2026-01-10 | 760 | 24 |
| 2026-01-20 | 820 | 27 |
| 2026-02-01 | 870 | 29 |
| 2026-02-10 | 840 | 26 |
| 2026-03-01 | 940 | 33 |
Line Graph vs Bar Graph
Both charts compare values, but they emphasize different relationships in the data.
Use a bar graph
Use a bar graph when the main job is comparing separate categories. Bar length supports direct magnitude comparisons without implying continuity between adjacent groups.
When to use a line graph
Line graphs work best for ordered observations where the path between values helps explain change.
Track change over time
Show daily, monthly, quarterly, or yearly measurements on a proportional date scale.
Compare trends
See whether several metrics rise, fall, converge, or diverge across the same period.
Follow an ordered sequence
Connect measurements across stages or other ordered categories when continuity matters.
Multiple line graphs
A multiple line graph uses the same horizontal scale for two or more numeric series, making differences in direction, timing, and magnitude easier to compare.
One column per line
Keep dates or categories in the first column, then add one numeric column for every line you want to plot.
Headers become legend labels
Names such as Visitors and Orders appear in the legend and tooltips, so each line stays identifiable.
Control visible series
Use the shared customization controls or legend to focus on the lines that matter without changing your source table.
Line graph maker features
True time axis
Detect valid dates and preserve proportional spacing between irregular observations.
Category support
Use evenly spaced labels when the first column contains named or ordered categories.
Multiple series
Turn every numeric column into a separate line with clear header-based legend labels.
Readable large datasets
Reduce tick density and hide point and value labels automatically as datasets grow.
CSV and Excel import
Upload CSV or XLSX files, or paste directly from Excel and Google Sheets.
PNG and SVG export
Download a polished graph for reports, presentations, and assignments.
Related graph makers
Line graph maker FAQ
Answers to common questions about time axes, categories, and multiple line series.
Is this line graph maker free?
Yes. This free line graph maker works without signup and exports clean graphs without a watermark.
How should I arrange line graph data?
Use dates or ordered category labels in the first column and numeric values in the columns that follow. The online line graph maker chooses a time or category axis automatically.
Can I create a graph with multiple lines?
Yes. Add a numeric column for each line. This multiple line graph maker uses column headers for legend labels and tooltips.
Does the graph use real spacing between dates?
Valid date and date-time values use a proportional time axis, so a ten-day gap is displayed wider than a one-day gap. The first and last dates remain explicit axis bounds.
Can I import data from Excel or CSV?
Yes. Paste spreadsheet data or upload CSV and XLSX files. The line graph generator processes the data locally in your browser.