Shows data distribution using mirrored density curves, combining box plot and density information. The width at any point represents data density, giving a richer picture of distribution shape than a box plot alone.
How Big Are the Space Rocks Near Us? — Size Distribution
Best for
- Comparing distributions across categories
- Showing the full shape of data distribution
- Revealing multimodal distributions missed by box plots
Avoid when
- Audience is unfamiliar with density plots
- Sample size is too small for meaningful density estimation
- Simple summary statistics would suffice
Alternatives: Box Plot