donut() — Donut chart

A pie chart with the middle cut out.

pie with a hole

Key idea

• A donut chart is a pie chart (a circle of slices) with a hole cut in the middle.
• It shows parts of one single whole, just like a pie. (e.g. 50% + 30% + 20% = 100%)
• The centre hole can hold a label or a total figure. (e.g. Total = 1,200)
• Like a pie, it works best with only a few categories. (e.g. 3 to 5 slices)
• All slices should still add up to 100% of the total.

In plain words

A pie chart (a circle split into slices) wearing a ring, where each slice is its share of the whole.

Where you'd use it

• Three phone brands hold 50%, 30%, and 20% of the market. A donut shows the leader filling half the ring, an easy-to-read split that adds up to 100%.
• Split a department budget into salaries 60%, equipment 25%, and travel 15%; the donut’s biggest arc instantly shows salaries dominate.
• Show website traffic by device — mobile 70%, desktop 25%, tablet 5% — where the wide mobile arc makes clear most visitors are on phones.

Frequently asked questions

Donut or pie?

Same data; the hole is cosmetic and shares the pie’s comparison weaknesses.