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.
""" anyplot.ai
histogram-overlapping: Overlapping Histograms
Library: pygal 3.1.0 | Python 3.13.13
Quality: 90/100 | Updated: 2026-05-08
"""
import os
import sys
sys.path = [p for p in sys.path if not p.endswith("python")]
import numpy as np
import pygal
from pygal.style import Style
# Theme tokens
THEME = os.getenv("ANYPLOT_THEME", "light")
PAGE_BG = "#FAF8F1" if THEME == "light" else "#1A1A17"
INK = "#1A1A17" if THEME == "light" else "#F0EFE8"
INK_MUTED = "#6B6A63" if THEME == "light" else "#A8A79F"
IMPRINT = ("#009E73", "#C475FD", "#4467A3", "#BD8233", "#AE3030", "#2ABCCD", "#954477")
# Data - Height distributions by gender
np.random.seed(42)
heights_male = np.random.normal(175, 7, 200) # cm
heights_female = np.random.normal(162, 6, 200) # cm
# Histogram parameters
bin_min = 140
bin_max = 200
n_bins = 20
bin_width = (bin_max - bin_min) / n_bins
# Create bin edges
bin_edges = np.linspace(bin_min, bin_max, n_bins + 1)
# Calculate histogram data for pygal
# Pygal Histogram expects tuples of (height, start, end)
hist_male, _ = np.histogram(heights_male, bins=bin_edges)
hist_female, _ = np.histogram(heights_female, bins=bin_edges)
male_data = [(int(count), float(bin_edges[i]), float(bin_edges[i + 1])) for i, count in enumerate(hist_male)]
female_data = [(int(count), float(bin_edges[i]), float(bin_edges[i + 1])) for i, count in enumerate(hist_female)]
# Style for 4800x2700
custom_style = Style(
background=PAGE_BG,
plot_background=PAGE_BG,
foreground=INK,
foreground_strong=INK,
foreground_subtle=INK_MUTED,
opacity="0.5",
opacity_hover="0.7",
colors=IMPRINT,
title_font_size=28,
label_font_size=22,
major_label_font_size=18,
legend_font_size=16,
value_font_size=14,
stroke_width=2,
)
# Create histogram chart
chart = pygal.Histogram(
width=4800,
height=2700,
style=custom_style,
title="histogram-overlapping · pygal · anyplot.ai",
x_title="Height (cm)",
y_title="Frequency",
show_legend=True,
legend_at_bottom=True,
legend_box_size=36,
show_y_guides=True,
show_x_guides=False,
x_label_rotation=0,
margin_bottom=200,
margin_left=180,
margin_right=100,
margin_top=150,
spacing=0,
)
# Add data series
chart.add("Male", male_data)
chart.add("Female", female_data)
# Save outputs
chart.render_to_file(f"plot-{THEME}.html")
chart.render_to_png(f"plot-{THEME}.png")
Part of Overlapping Histograms on anyplot.ai.