A Sankey chart, also known as a Sankey diagram or flow diagram, is a type of data visualization that represents the flow of resources, energy, or other quantities between multiple entities or categories. It is often used to visualize the distribution or transformation of resources, such as energy, money, or materials, through a system or process. The chart is named after Captain Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, an Irish engineer who created this visualization method in the late 19th century.
Sankey charts consist of interconnected arrows or lines, with the width of each arrow proportional to the quantity it represents. The key elements of a Sankey chart typically include:
Sankey charts are particularly useful for visualizing complex systems or processes where it’s important to understand how resources are allocated or transformed. Common applications of Sankey charts include:
Creating a Sankey chart typically requires specialized software or tools that can handle the complexity of drawing and managing the flow lines and values. Some popular data visualization tools like RubiSight,Microsoft Excel, Tableau, or open-source libraries in programming languages like D3.js can be used to create Sankey charts.
Sankey charts offer a visually intuitive way to analyze and communicate complex data, making them a valuable tool in various fields, including energy management, environmental science, finance, and more.