Histogram | the R Graph Gallery

Ggplot2

Histograms can be built with ggplot2 thanks to the geom_histogram() function. It requires only 1 numeric variable as input. This function automatically cut the variable in bins and count the number of data point per bin. Remember to try different bin size using the binwidth argument.

Most basic

The most basic histogram you can do with R and ggplot2.

Control bin size

Playing with histogram bin size is an important step. Histogram appearance can greatly change, and so does the message you're trying to convey.

Mirror histogram

The mirror histogram allows to compare the distribution of 2 numeric variables.

Multi histogram

How to display several histograms on the same X axis

Small multiple

Using small multiple and histogram allows to compare the distribution of many groups with cluttering the figure.

Marginal distribution

Add marginal distribution around your scatterplot with ggExtra and the ggMarginal function.

Base R

Of course it is possible to build high quality histograms without ggplot2 or the tidyverse. Here are a few examples illustrating how to proceed.

Two histograms on same Axis

Compare the distribution of 2 variables with this double histogram built with base R function.

Two histograms on split windows

Compare the distribution of 2 variables plotting 2 histograms one beside the other.

Boxplot on top of histogram

How to add a boxplot on top of a histogram.

Histogram with colored tails

Coloring tails sometimes allow to highlight specific areas of the distribution.

Mirrored histogram in base R

A mirrored histogram allows to compare the distribution of 2 variables. Here is how to build one in base R.

Get rid of borders

Just a small tip to get rid of histogram borders and improve the general appearance.