A bullet chart is a compact KPI visualization that compares a single measure against a target, along with performance thresholds. Developed by Stephen Few, it’s designed to replace dashboard gauges while using minimal space.
Key Components
- Performance bar: The actual value
- Target marker: A vertical line showing the goal
- Background ranges: Color bands representing performance levels (e.g., poor, average, good)
When to Use Bullet Charts
- Track progress toward targets
- Display KPIs efficiently in compact dashboards
- Compare performance across multiple business units
Best Practices
- Keep it simple — avoid adding more than one metric per bullet
- Use subtle color gradients for qualitative ranges
- Label clearly to avoid ambiguity
Bullet Charts in ClicData
- Define thresholds, targets, and actual values visually
- Apply conditional formatting to performance ranges
- Use in KPI dashboards for executives or team leads