Chart maker

Heatmap Maker

Reveal patterns across a data grid

A heatmap arranges values in a grid and colors each cell by its number, so patterns, clusters, and outliers across a large matrix become instantly scannable. InstaCharts is a free heatmap maker with sequential and diverging color palettes.

Make a Heatmap Free
Open the Demo

A live heatmap example

An interactive heatmap built and embedded with InstaCharts.

Your data

What data you need for a heatmap

Paste your spreadsheet, upload a CSV or Excel file, or connect a Google Sheet, and InstaCharts detects your column types and builds the heatmap automatically.

X

X-Axis

Categorical data

Y

Y-Axis

Categorical data

V

Values

Numerical values that set each cell's color

Use cases

When to use a heatmap

Best uses

  • Spot high and low values at a glance across a whole matrix
  • Show how two categorical variables interact
  • Detect clusters of similar values and isolated outliers
  • Make a large numerical table scannable with color
  • Find time-based patterns, such as days against hours

When another chart fits better

  • Very small grids are clearer as a plain table
  • When exact numbers drive decisions, a bar chart is more precise
  • Mixed positive and negative values need a diverging palette with a clear zero

How it works

How to make a heatmap

  1. Step 1

    Add your data

    Paste a spreadsheet, or upload a CSV, Excel, TSV, or JSON file.

    InstaCharts new sheet dialog with options to upload a file, connect a data source, or start a blank sheet

  2. Step 2

    Pick the heatmap

    InstaCharts auto-suggests a chart; switch to this type in one click.

    InstaCharts chart type menu listing line, grouped line, bar, stacked bar, scatter plot, area, and pie charts

  3. Step 3

    Map your columns

    Choose which columns drive each axis, or accept the smart defaults.

    InstaCharts chart tab with chart type, X-axis, and Y-axis selectors above an area chart of demo site earnings

  4. Step 4

    Customize styling

    Adjust colors, labels, and titles to match your brand or report.

    InstaCharts colors panel with a color scheme picker beside a grouped bar chart

  5. Step 5

    Export or embed

    Download as PNG, SVG, or PDF, share a link, or embed a live, auto-updating chart.

    InstaCharts export dialog with PNG, SVG, JPG, WebP, PDF, and PowerPoint image formats

FAQ

Heatmap maker FAQ

Answers to common questions about making a heatmap with InstaCharts.

Is the heatmap maker free?

Yes. You can build and export a heatmap for free with no account. The free tier supports up to 500 rows and adds a watermark; paid plans from $10 user/mo remove it.

What data do I need to make a heatmap?

Two category columns for the rows and columns of the grid, plus a numeric column that determines each cell's color. InstaCharts can pivot raw data into this matrix shape for you.

Which color palette should I use?

Use a sequential palette for low-to-high data and a diverging palette when you want to highlight values above and below a midpoint, such as positive and negative growth. Avoid rainbow palettes, which distort perception.

Can I show the numbers inside the cells?

Yes. You can add value labels inside each cell for precise reading on smaller grids, while still using color to show the overall pattern.

Want the full reference?

Read the heatmap documentation.

Explore

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Compare related chart types, or browse every InstaCharts chart maker below.

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All InstaCharts chart makers

See every option on the chart maker page.

Make your heatmap in seconds

InstaCharts makes data visualization easy, so you can build clear reports without design experience.

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