Grouped Lollipop Chart — Pygal

A grouped lollipop chart displays multiple series across categorical variables using thin stems and circular markers arranged in groups. Each category has multiple lollipops side by side, one for each series, enabling direct comparison of metrics across groups. It combines the clarity of dot plots with the organization of grouped bar charts while reducing visual clutter.

Grouped Lollipop Chart rendered with Pygal

Python source (Pygal)

""" anyplot.ai
lollipop-grouped: Grouped Lollipop Chart
Library: pygal 3.1.0 | Python 3.13.13
Quality: 85/100 | Updated: 2026-05-17
"""

import os
import sys


# Prevent local filename from shadowing the pygal package by removing script dir from path
_script_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
sys.path[:] = [p for p in sys.path if os.path.abspath(p) != _script_dir]

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"

# Okabe-Ito palette (first series is always #009E73)
IMPRINT = ("#009E73", "#C475FD", "#4467A3", "#BD8233", "#AE3030", "#2ABCCD", "#954477")

# Data: Quarterly revenue (in millions) by product line across regions
categories = ["North", "South", "East", "West"]
series_names = ["Electronics", "Furniture", "Apparel"]
series_values = [[42, 35, 48, 31], [28, 32, 25, 38], [15, 22, 18, 26]]

# Build color list: repeating Okabe-Ito colors for each lollipop
all_colors = []
for _i, color in enumerate(IMPRINT[: len(series_names)]):
    all_colors.extend([color] * len(categories))

# Custom style for 4800x2700 canvas with theme-adaptive chrome
custom_style = Style(
    background=PAGE_BG,
    plot_background=PAGE_BG,
    foreground=INK,
    foreground_strong=INK,
    foreground_subtle=INK_MUTED,
    colors=tuple(all_colors),
    title_font_size=28,
    label_font_size=22,
    major_label_font_size=18,
    legend_font_size=16,
    value_font_size=14,
)

# Create XY chart for lollipop visualization
chart = pygal.XY(
    width=4800,
    height=2700,
    style=custom_style,
    title="lollipop-grouped · Python · pygal · anyplot.ai",
    x_title="Region",
    y_title="Revenue ($ millions)",
    show_legend=True,
    legend_at_bottom=True,
    legend_at_bottom_columns=3,
    show_y_guides=True,
    show_x_guides=False,
    dots_size=22,
    stroke_width=3,
    margin=80,
    range=(0, 55),
    xrange=(0.3, 4.7),
    show_minor_x_labels=False,
    truncate_legend=-1,
)

# Position offsets for grouped lollipops within each category
offsets = [-0.2, 0, 0.2]

# Add each lollipop as its own series (prevents connecting lines)
for series_idx, (name, values) in enumerate(zip(series_names, series_values, strict=True)):
    for cat_idx, val in enumerate(values):
        x_pos = cat_idx + 1 + offsets[series_idx]
        # Each lollipop is a separate series: stem from 0 to value
        lollipop_data = [{"value": (x_pos, 0), "node": {"r": 0}}, {"value": (x_pos, val), "node": {"r": 22}}]
        # Only first lollipop of each series shows in legend
        show_label = name if cat_idx == 0 else None
        chart.add(show_label, lollipop_data)

# Custom x-axis labels at category positions
chart.x_labels = [1, 2, 3, 4]
chart.x_labels_major = [1, 2, 3, 4]

# X-axis label mapping
label_map = {1: "North", 2: "South", 3: "East", 4: "West"}
chart.x_value_formatter = lambda x: label_map.get(int(x), "") if x == int(x) else ""

# Save as PNG and HTML with theme suffix
chart.render_to_png(f"plot-{THEME}.png")
chart.render_to_file(f"plot-{THEME}.html")

Part of Grouped Lollipop Chart on anyplot.ai.

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