Which type of chart is most suitable for displaying time series data?

A line chart is the most suitable for displaying time series data because it effectively illustrates trends over time. With time series data, the x-axis typically represents time intervals (such as days, months, or years), while the y-axis represents the values at those intervals. The connected line allows viewers to easily see how the values change over time, making it straightforward to identify patterns, trends, and fluctuations.

Line charts excel in showing data continuity and trends, which are crucial for time series analysis. For example, they can effectively depict seasonal variations or long-term trends in sales data, stock prices, or temperature changes. This ability to visualize the sequence and flow of data points over time is why line charts are the preferred choice for such analyses.

While other chart types like bar charts can show changes over time, they do so less effectively as they tend to compare distinct categories rather than emphasize the continuity of data. On the other hand, pie charts are not suited for showing time series data because they represent parts of a whole rather than progressions or changes over time. Scatter plots can depict relationships between two variables but do not inherently convey the passage of time as clearly as line charts do.