Bubble Chart = Scatter Chart + Bubble Size

A Bubble chart shows the relationship between two different variables represented by the X and Y axes, with Bubble Size (optional) representing optional metric.

1. Bubble Chart

Bubble Chart with Legends in Google Data Studio
Bubble Chart with Legends in Looker Studio (Formerly known as Data Studio)

  • In this chart, we are displaying Users and Revenue by Age Group, with Bubble Size (optional) representing Revenue per user. Without the Bubble Size configuration, the above chart would be a Scatter Chart.

Recommended: Yes, With One Dimension

  • It’s best to stay one dimensional with both Scatter and Bubble Charts. More than one dimension will be hard to differentiate to most of your report’s audience — see next example.

  • Always show both axis and test for the number bubble that can fit inside the chart, and too many bubbles will make the chart difficult to read.

2. Bubble Chart: Two or more Dimensions

Bubble Chart with Two or more Dimensions in Google Data Studio
Bubble Chart with Two or more Dimensions in Looker Studio (Formerly known as Data Studio)

  • In this chart, we are displaying Users and Revenue by Age Group, with Bubble Size (optional) representing Revenue per user. Without the Bubble Size configuration, the above chart would be a Scatter Chart.

Recommended: No

  • As you can see, we have two same colors for each age group, and unless we have data labels, it's hard to differentiate. But, unfortunately, the data labels will make the chart very messy in most cases.