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Boxplots summarize the distribution of a numeric measure per category, showing the median, interquartile range, and outliers in a single mark. Use them to compare spread and skew across groups rather than just averages.

Variant

Box-and-whisker

One dimension on the X axis groups the data into categories. One measure on the Y axis provides the raw values. The chart computes the distribution statistics internally.

Reading a boxplot

ElementDescription
BoxInterquartile range — 25th to 75th percentile
Center lineMedian (50th percentile)
WhiskersExtend to min/max within 1.5× the IQR
PointsValues beyond the whiskers (outliers)

Data structure

Boxplots require raw, row-level data — each row is one observation. Do not pre-aggregate before using a boxplot; the chart engine computes the distribution itself.
  • X axis — the grouping dimension (e.g. product category)
  • Y axis — the measure to distribute (e.g. sale price)