A chord diagram visualizes relationships or flows among categories arranged around a circle. Curved bands, or chords, connect categories, and their thickness or color represents strength or direction.

Use Cases

• Migration flows
• Trade between countries
• Network relationships among categories
• Genomic and biological relationships

Design Notes

• Limit the number of categories.
• Use ordering to reduce crossings.
• Make direction clear if flows are directional.
• Provide interaction for dense diagrams.

Summary

Chord diagrams are visually striking and useful for showing many-to-many relationships. They can become difficult to read when too many categories or chords are included.