Live Tool
Chart setup
Sorted descending, with an 80% reference line
Word and Google Docs exports download an HTML document. Excel exports an `.xls` worksheet, and Google Sheets exports a CSV file that can be imported into Sheets.
Calculator Library / Lean Six Sigma Analysis
Pareto Chart Builder
Enter category counts, and this tool ranks them from most to least frequent with a live cumulative-percentage line, so the vital few categories driving most of the total are obvious at a glance.
Editable Data
Category counts
| Category | Count |
|---|
Preview
Pareto Chart
| Category | Count | % of Total | Cumulative % |
|---|
How to Use This Pareto Chart Builder
List every category contributing to a problem and its count — defect types from an inspection log, complaint reasons from a service desk, downtime causes from a shift log. The tool sorts categories from largest to smallest automatically and overlays a cumulative percentage line so the "vital few" categories crossing the 80% mark are immediately visible.
Reading the Chart
| Element | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Bars | Each category's raw count, sorted from highest to lowest. |
| Red line | The running cumulative percentage of the total as categories are added left to right. |
| 80% reference line | A guide showing roughly where the "vital few" categories account for most of the total. |
Export and Print Options
Use Print / Save PDF to open the browser print dialog and save the finished chart as a PDF. Use the Word and Excel buttons when you need an editable file for Microsoft Office. Use the Google Doc and Google Sheet buttons when you need a file that can be uploaded or imported into Google Drive.
FAQ
What is a Pareto chart used for?
A Pareto chart ranks categories of a problem from most to least frequent, with a cumulative-percentage line overlaid, so a team can see which few categories account for most of the total.
How many categories should a Pareto chart have?
Five to ten categories is typical. Group the smallest, least significant categories into an "Other" bucket if there are many minor causes.
Can I export the Pareto chart?
Yes. This tool supports print or save-as-PDF, Word-compatible HTML, Excel-compatible spreadsheet output, Google Docs-compatible HTML, and Google Sheets-compatible CSV, all generated in your browser.