---
url: https://chartbuddy.io/embed/docs/chart-types/pie.md
---
> Docs index: [llms.txt](https://chartbuddy.io/embed/docs/llms.txt)

# Pie / donut

Share of a single total across categories. A donut is a pie with a hole.

## Identity

| | |
|---|---|
| `chartType` | `pie` · `donut` |
| Option bag | `pie` |
| `seriesData` layout | `categoryValue` – columns `[Category, Value]` |
| Min grid | 2 rows × 2 columns |
| Orientation | N/A – axes disabled |
| Sample | [Pie](https://chartbuddy.io/embed/docs/samples/pie.md) |

***

## Minimal `chartData`

```js
{
  chartType: 'pie',
  seriesData: [
    ['Category', 'Value'],
    ['North', 45],
    ['South', 30],
    ['West', 25],
  ],
  title: { visible: true, text: 'Share' },
  subtitle: { visible: false, text: '' },
}
```

***

## `seriesData`

```js
[
  ['Category', 'Value'],
  ['North', 45],
  ['South', 30],
  ['West', 25],
]
```

| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Layout | `categoryValue` – not series-rows |
| Transpose | Do not use bar/line `isDataTransposed: true` patterns here |
| One measure | One value column |

Shared layout rules: [chartData schema · seriesData](https://chartbuddy.io/embed/docs/api/chart-data.md#seriesdata-layouts).

***

## Option bag: `pie`

| Field | Default (new charts) | Role |
|---|---|---|
| `innerRadiusRatio` | `0` for `pie`; **`0.5` for `donut`** | Hole size, `0–1` (`0` = full pie) |
| `scaleFactor` | `0.9` | Overall pie scale inside the plot |
| `labelVisibilityThreshold` | `0` | Hide tiny-slice labels below this share |
| `explode` | `[]` | Per-slice explode offsets |
| `line` | white stroke defaults | Slice border color / width / dash |
| `seriesStrokes` / widths / dash | `[]` | Per-slice stroke chrome |
| `overrides` | `{}` | Indexed style patches |

### Donut

Ask for `'donut'` – the hole is already open. You do **not** need to set `innerRadiusRatio` unless you want a different size:

```js
{
  chartType: 'donut',
  seriesData: [['Category', 'Value'], ['North', 45], ['South', 30]],
}

// Override hole only when needed:
{ chartType: 'donut', pie: { innerRadiusRatio: 0.7 } }
```

`getChartData()` returns `chartType: 'pie'` with `innerRadiusRatio: 0.5`. That round-trips correctly.

***

## Axes & scales

Axes are **disabled** for pie / donut. Do not author `axes` for layout. Labels live in pie / series-label chrome.

Details: [Axes · by chart type](https://chartbuddy.io/embed/docs/axes/by-chart-type.md).

***

## Type-specific behaviour

* Slice colors: `legend.colors`.
* Series labels default more visible on pie/donut than on bar/line.
* Prefer editor placement + `getChartData()` for label leader lines and explode.

***

## Pitfalls

* Feeding a bar/line `seriesRows` grid into pie
* Putting options in `bar` / `line` on a pie (`foreign-option-bag`)
* Expecting `getChartData()` to keep `chartType: 'donut'` — it returns `pie` with the hole set
* Setting `innerRadiusRatio: 5` (must be `0–1` – validation throws)

***

## Related

* [chartData schema](https://chartbuddy.io/embed/docs/api/chart-data.md) · [Legend](https://chartbuddy.io/embed/docs/configuration/legend.md)
* Sample: [Pie](https://chartbuddy.io/embed/docs/samples/pie.md)