Scatter Plot Calculator [2025]

What is a Scatter Plot?

A scatter plot is a type of data visualization that shows the relationship between two variables. Each point on the plot represents an observation with two values: one plotted along the x-axis and one along the y-axis. Scatter plots are ideal for visualizing correlations, trends, and outliers in your data.

Linear Regression Analysis

Linear regression finds the line that best fits your data points, helping you understand the relationship between variables. The regression line is defined by the equation y = mx + b, where:

• m is the slope (indicating how much y changes when x increases by 1)
• b is the y-intercept (the value of y when x = 0)

The R-squared (R²) value measures how well the regression line fits your data, ranging from 0 to 1. A higher R² indicates that the line explains more of the variation in your data.

When to Use a Scatter Plot

Scatter plots are most useful when:

• Investigating relationships between two continuous variables
• Looking for correlations (positive, negative, or no correlation)
• Identifying outliers or unusual patterns in your data
• Visualizing results from experiments or surveys
• Comparing different groups or categories within your data

How do I format my CSV or Excel file for upload?

Your file should contain columns for X values and Y values. The tool will try to detect these columns automatically. For best results, use column headers like "x" and "y". You can also include optional columns for group/label and size if you want to use grouping or bubble chart features.

What does the R-squared value tell me?

The R-squared (R²) value indicates how well your data fits the regression line. It ranges from 0 to 1:

• Values close to 1 indicate a strong correlation and a good fit
• Values close to 0 indicate a weak or no correlation
• For example, an R² of 0.85 means that 85% of the variance in y is explained by x

How many data points can I plot?

The calculator is optimized for datasets of up to several hundred points. For very large datasets, you might experience some performance slowdown, especially on older devices. If you have thousands of points, consider sampling your data or focusing on specific subsets for clearer visualization.

Can I create different types of scatter plots?

Yes, the tool supports several visualization options:

• Basic scatter plots with single-color points
• Grouped scatter plots with different colors for categories
• Gradient scatter plots where color varies based on y-value
• Bubble charts where point size represents a third variable

How is the regression line calculated?

The regression line is calculated using the least squares method, which minimizes the sum of the squared distances between the data points and the line. This gives the line of best fit that represents the relationship between your x and y variables. The tool provides the slope (m), y-intercept (b), and R² value to help you interpret the regression results.