Spiderplots

Spiderplots, also known as radar charts or spider charts, are a type of multivariate data visualization that presents several quantitative variables on axes arranged radially from a central point. Each axis represents a variable, and a data series is depicted by plotting values along the axes and connecting the points to form a polygon. When multiple series are shown, several polygons can be overlaid to compare profiles.

The axes are typically arranged evenly around a circle, and each axis shares the same origin. Values are usually scaled so that the distance from the center reflects the magnitude of the variable. Because variables may have different units, normalization or standardization is often required to make meaningful comparisons. The order of axes and the number of axes influence readability and pattern detection.

Spiderplots are used to compare items across a set of attributes, identify strengths and weaknesses, and reveal overall profiles. Common applications include product benchmarking, performance metrics, sports statistics, and customer attribute surveys. They are helpful for visualizing patterns, symmetry, and tradeoffs among variables.

Design considerations include axis labeling, consistent scaling, color and fill transparency, and the number of axes. Too many axes or cluttered labels can reduce legibility. Interpretation should be cautious, as area or polygon size can be distorted by scaling choices and axis ordering, potentially misleading the viewer.

Software implementations span spreadsheets and programming environments. Excel offers radar charts, while Python (matplotlib, plotly) and R (various packages) can create radar/spider plots with customizable scales and multiple series.