Sankey diagrams are a powerful and visually dynamic way to visualize complex relationships in data. They are commonly used in fields such as engineering, healthcare, and transportation to represent both quantitative and qualitative data. In this article, we will explore the power and applications of Sankey diagrams and show you how to create your own custom Sankey chart.
What are Sankey diagrams?

A Sankey diagram is a type of diagram that uses a network of pipes to represent relationships between elements. It is commonly used to represent the flow of a substance or energy, as well as to represent the exchange of information or data between different sources or destinations. It is also known as a flow diagram, flow chart, or flow network.
Sankey diagrams use a grid system to represent the different channels of flow. The diagrams consist of a set of pipes that connect the different elements, and the arrows indicate the direction of flow. Here is an example of a Sankey diagram:
“`
Source

• Water
  |
  |
  | Product
  |
  |
  |
  Product
  +—+
  +—+
  |
  |
  -|
  • Waste Water
    “`

In this example, the Source node represents the source of the water, the Product node represents a final use of the water, and the Waste Water node represents the waste water coming back to the source. The arrows on the pipes indicate the direction of flow, from the Source node to the Product node and then back to the Source node. Sankey charts are flexible and can be used to visualize all sorts of relationships, including quantitative data, qualitative data, and even different types of relationships.
How to create a Sankey chart

Creating a Sankey chart is fairly straightforward, regardless of the complexity of your data. Here are the general steps to create a Sankey chart:
1. Define the elements that you’re going to visualize.
2. Create a grid system to represent the different points of flow.
3. Connect the elements with pipes and arrows to indicate the direction of flow.
4. Display or hide the elements to only show the arrows to indicate flow.
5. Animate the chart to show the flow of a substance.
Here’s an example of a Sankey chart in action:

100 units of glucose
- Product
+---+
+---+
|
|
\-|
- Milk


The first 100 units of glucose would follow a path labeled “Products” from the source to the final result and then back to the source. Milk would follow a path from the source to the final production output, and from there to the final target.
What are the benefits of using Sankey charts?

Sankey charts are incredibly useful for visualizing complex data relationships, and they have a variety of benefits:
1. It’s easy to follow the flow of data, whether it’s a single item or multiple sources and outputs.
2. Sankey charts can be used to represent any type of data, from quantitative to qualitative to mixed types.
3. They can be used to display flow diagrams for different purposes, such as flow data, energy consumption, or supply chain.
4. They can be used to display the flow of a substance, such as water, or the exchange of information or data between different sources or destinations.

In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful and creative way to visualize complex relationships in data. They are a great tool for visualizing flows or exchanges and can be used in a wide range of fields. With the right experience and practice, creating a custom Sankey chart can be a fun and rewarding experience.

SankeyMaster

SankeyMaster is your go-to tool for creating complex Sankey charts . Easily enter data and create Sankey charts that accurately reveal intricate data relationships.