Box and Whisker Plot Maker: Create Box and Whisker Charts Online
Need to compare spread, quartiles, and outliers across groups? Paste a CSV, choose one numeric field, optionally split it by category, then generate a box and whisker plot directly on the page.
- Best for statistical summaries, side-by-side group comparison, and outlier review
- Works with tidy CSV or TSV data and can draw one overall box or one box per category
- Exports the finished chart as PNG or SVG after you tune orientation and whisker mode
Box plot and box and whisker plot mean the same thing
A box plot and a box and whisker plot are two names for the same chart type.
This chart summarizes a numeric distribution through:
- the median
- the lower and upper quartiles
- whiskers that extend across the main range
- possible outliers outside that range
If you are searching for a box and whisker plot maker, this page gives you the same core tool as a box plot maker, just framed around the alternate term people often use in statistics classes, Excel workflows, and basic data-analysis searches.
When should you use a box and whisker plot?
Use a box and whisker plot when the question is about comparison of distributions, not just totals.
Typical use cases:
- comparing response times across teams
- checking test scores across classes
- spotting outliers in process metrics
- reviewing whether one group has more spread than another
If you want to inspect the detailed shape of one distribution, use a Histogram Maker. If you want category totals instead of spread, use a Bar Chart Maker.
Format your data for this box and whisker plot maker
The cleanest input is a table with:
- one numeric value column
- one optional category column for grouping
Example:
department,response_time
Support,118
Support,126
Support,131
Sales,94
Sales,102
Sales,109Each row should represent one observed value. If you need a closely related workflow, see Box Plot Maker, Histogram Maker, Dot Plot Maker, and Scatter Plot Maker.
What settings matter most?
| Setting | What it changes | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Group field | Splits the data into multiple boxes | compare teams, regions, or cohorts |
| 1.5 IQR whiskers | Uses the standard statistical outlier rule | best default for analysis |
| Min-max whiskers | Extends whiskers to full range | useful for showing total spread |
| Mean point | Adds the average | helps when mean and median differ |
The most important choice is usually whether you want one overall box or one box per group. After that, the whisker rule changes how you interpret extremes and outliers.
FAQ
How do I create a box and whisker plot from CSV data?
Paste or upload a CSV or TSV file, choose a numeric value field, optionally choose a grouping field, then the chart will calculate quartiles and whiskers from the raw data automatically.
What is the difference between a box plot and a box and whisker plot?
There is no real difference. Box plot and box and whisker plot are two names for the same statistical chart.
What do the whiskers represent?
That depends on the whisker rule you choose. In the standard 1.5 IQR mode, whiskers extend to the typical non-outlier range. In min-max mode, whiskers extend to the full observed range.
When should I use a box and whisker plot instead of a histogram?
Use a box and whisker plot when you want compact distribution summaries and easy side-by-side group comparison. Use a histogram when you want to see the full shape of one numeric distribution.