How do I create a stacked area chart in R with ggplot2?

Use geom_area(position = "stack") from the ggplot2 package. Variables needed: 1 temporal + 1 numerical + 1 categorical.

What data types work with a stacked area chart?

A stacked area chart works best with time series, categorical, numerical data. It requires 1 temporal + 1 numerical + 1 categorical.

TrendComposition Time SeriesCategoricalNumerical

Stacked Area Chart

ggplot2: geom_area(position = "stack") · Package: ggplot2 · Variables: 1 temporal + 1 numerical + 1 categorical

WHAT IS A STACKED AREA CHART?

A stacked area chart layers multiple area series on top of each other to show both the total and the composition of that total over time. It answers "how has the mix of components changed over time, and what is the overall trend?" For example, revenue by product line over quarters, or website traffic by source over months. The topmost line shows the total; the colored bands show each component contribution. Best with 2-6 series. In ggplot2, use geom_area() with position = "stack" and a fill aesthetic for the grouping variable.

BEST FOR

· Composition changes over time
· Component contributions to total
· 2-6 category series

AVOID WHEN

· Reading individual series values precisely
· More than 7 categories
· Vastly different scales

R + GGPLOT2 CODE EXAMPLE

ggplot2

library(tidyr)
df <- economics[, c("date", "pce", "psavert")]
df_long <- pivot_longer(df, -date, names_to = "metric", values_to = "value")
ggplot(df_long, aes(x = date, y = value, fill = metric)) +
  geom_area(alpha = 0.7) +
  labs(title = "Stacked Area: PCE vs Savings", x = "Date", y = "Value")