A variable radius pie chart extends the standard pie by letting each slice have a different outer radius, encoding a second data dimension. The angle still represents proportion while the radius can show intensity, importance, or another metric.
How Long Is a Year? Planet Orbital Periods (Slice Size = Year Length, Radius = Planet Size)
Best for
- Encoding two dimensions on a single pie — share and intensity
- Highlighting categories that are both large and highly engaged
- Adding visual emphasis to standout slices
Avoid when
- The second dimension is not meaningful — the uneven radii confuse readers
- Precise comparison of the radius variable is needed — use a bar chart
- Audience is unfamiliar with this chart type