Ridgeline Plot Chart
Free Online Ridgeline Plot Chart Maker
What is a Ridgeline Plot Chart?
A ridgeline plot chart displays the distribution of a numeric variable across multiple groups using stacked, overlapping density curves. Each ridge shows the shape of the data for one group, making it easy to compare patterns, peaks, and spreads side by side. It is especially effective when you have many groups and want to spot shifts in distribution without the clutter of separate histograms. Use it when the story is about how distributions differ — not just averages.
Key Features
KDE Smoothing Control
Adjust bandwidth to control how smooth or jagged each density curve appears, balancing detail with readability.
Configurable Ridge Overlap
Set how much ridges overlap vertically to pack more groups into the view or give each group breathing room.
Individual or Gradient Color Modes
Color each ridge independently or apply a gradient across groups to highlight ordering or progression.
Optional Rug Plot
Show individual data points along the baseline of each ridge to reveal sample density alongside the smooth curve.
Baseline and Axis Toggles
Show or hide the baseline and x-axis to clean up the chart for presentation or keep them for precise reading.
Fully Labeled Groups
Each ridge carries a group label so viewers can identify distributions at a glance without needing a legend.
Best For
When to Use
- When you have 3 or more groups with continuous numeric data
- When the shape of each distribution matters, not just the mean
- When stacked histograms would become too cluttered to read
- When you want to compare where peaks shift across groups
- When groups have overlapping ranges that violin plots obscure
- When you need a compact view of many distributions at once
Common Mistakes
- !Using too many ridges (10+) without reducing overlap, making the chart unreadable
- !Setting bandwidth too high, which flattens distinct peaks into a single smooth blob
- !Using very similar colors for adjacent ridges, making groups hard to distinguish
- !Forgetting to label the x-axis, leaving viewers unsure what the values represent
- !Ordering groups randomly instead of by median or peak position to tell a clearer story
- !Using a ridgeline plot when group sample sizes are too small for reliable density estimates