Sankey Chart

Free Online Sankey Chart Maker

What is a Sankey Chart?

A Sankey chart visualizes how quantities flow between connected nodes, where the width of each link is proportional to the volume it carries. They're ideal for revealing where the largest transfers, losses, or concentrations occur within a system. Use them to map energy flows, trace budget allocations, or follow users through a multi-step journey — any time the relative size of flows tells the real story.

Key Features

Flow-Width Encoding

Link widths scale automatically with flow values, so dominant paths are instantly visible without reading labels.

Multi-Stage Flows

Show how a quantity splits, recombines, or shrinks across as many stages as your data requires.

Node & Link Customization

Assign custom colors to nodes, control label placement, and adjust link opacity to keep the diagram readable.

Inline Value Labels

Display exact flow values on each link so stakeholders can read precise numbers alongside the visual proportions.

Auto Layout

Nodes are positioned automatically to minimize link crossings and keep the diagram clean with no manual arrangement needed.

Color Schemes

Choose per-node colors to group by category, or use gradient flows to trace individual paths across stages.

Best For

Energy and resource allocation analysis

Website traffic and user journey mapping

Budget flow and cost breakdown reporting

Supply chain and material flow tracking

Revenue attribution across marketing channels

Process efficiency and loss identification

When to Use

When a total quantity splits into multiple destinations across stages
When the relative size of flows matters as much as the individual values
When you want to pinpoint where the biggest transfers or losses occur
When tracing inputs through a process to show what reaches the output
When comparing how multiple sources contribute to multiple outcomes
When a plain table of flows is too hard to read at a glance

Common Mistakes

Adding too many nodes — diagrams with more than 15–20 nodes become unreadable
Using flows that don't balance (inputs don't equal outputs), which misleads readers
Labeling every thin flow when narrow links can't fit readable text
Mixing unrelated flow types in one diagram, blurring the message
Ignoring flow direction, leaving readers unsure which way quantities move
Choosing colors at random instead of grouping related nodes visually

Related Tools

Create similar charts with these tools

Flow Diagram Makersankey

Build stunning Sankey flow diagrams in minutes. Visualize energy, budget, and data flows with our free AI-powered flow diagram maker. No design skills needed.

Sankey Diagram Makersankey

Create stunning Sankey diagrams in minutes. Visualize flows, energy transfers, and resource allocation with our free AI-powered Sankey diagram generator.

Sankey Diagrams Without Excelsankey

Skip the Excel workarounds. Build a Sankey diagram in seconds with AI. Visualize flows, budgets, and processes — free, no sign-up needed. No plugins.

Energy Flow Diagrams, Instantlysankey

Build stunning energy flow diagrams instantly with AI. Visualize where energy goes, spot waste, and present findings clearly. Free Sankey diagram maker.

Templates

Start with professionally designed templates

Carbon Circular Flow Sankey: See Where Carbon Goessankey

Visualize your carbon circular flow instantly. Spot emissions, recycling, and sequestration hotspots to improve ESG reporting and cut footprint fast.

Sankey Diagram Template - Map Flows Clearlysankey

Start with a blank Sankey template to map energy, budget, or process flows. Customize nodes, links, and colors instantly - no design skills needed.

Energy Flow Sankey Diagram Templatesankey

Visualize energy sources, generation, and consumption with this free Sankey diagram template. Track flows from coal, gas, and renewables to end sectors.

Water Flow Sankey Diagram Templatesankey

Map the full water cycle — from rainfall and snowmelt to treatment plants, residential use, and beyond — with this free Sankey diagram template.

Supply Chain Sankey Diagram Templatesankey

Visualize your supply chain flows from raw materials to end consumers with this free Sankey diagram template. Track product movement and returns.

Blank Sankey Diagram Templatesankey

Start with a blank Sankey diagram template to visualize revenue flows, budgets, and processes. Free, customizable, and AI-powered. No account needed.

Start Free

Create Your Sankey Chart with AI

Describe your data or paste values — our AI generates a Sankey diagram in seconds.

Free, no sign-up required