Overlapping Histograms in Python, R, Julia and JavaScript

Source code in 15 libraries — Python: Altair, Bokeh, lets-plot, Matplotlib, Plotly, plotnine, Pygal, Seaborn; R: ggplot2; Julia: Makie.jl; JavaScript: Chart.js, D3.js, Apache ECharts, Highcharts, MUI X Charts.

Overlapping histograms display multiple distributions on the same axes using semi-transparent bars, enabling direct visual comparison between groups. This technique reveals differences in central tendency, spread, and shape across categories while maintaining the familiar histogram format. The transparency allows viewers to see where distributions overlap and diverge.

Renders

• Full-resolution render, light theme
• Full-resolution render, dark theme
• Interactive version, light theme
• Interactive version, dark theme

Preview render from the Chart.js implementation.

Implementations

• Overlapping Histograms in Altair (Python)
• Overlapping Histograms in Bokeh (Python)
• Overlapping Histograms in lets-plot (Python)
• Overlapping Histograms in Matplotlib (Python)
• Overlapping Histograms in Plotly (Python)
• Overlapping Histograms in plotnine (Python)
• Overlapping Histograms in Pygal (Python)
• Overlapping Histograms in Seaborn (Python)
• Overlapping Histograms in ggplot2 (R)
• Overlapping Histograms in Makie.jl (Julia)
• Overlapping Histograms in Chart.js (JavaScript)
• Overlapping Histograms in D3.js (JavaScript)
• Overlapping Histograms in Apache ECharts (JavaScript)
• Overlapping Histograms in Highcharts (JavaScript)
• Overlapping Histograms in MUI X Charts (JavaScript)