How to Make a Pie Chart When Percentages Don’t Add Up to 100 #3361912 (License: Personal Use)

This humorous yet instructive illustration contrasts two approaches: a conventional circular pie chart labeled “WRONG,” which misleadingly implies completeness despite only totaling 100% by coincidence (40% + 45% + 30% + 15% = 130%), and a corrected “RIGHT” version that visually distorts the circle into an irregular shape to preserve proportional area while acknowledging the oversum. The comic highlights a common data visualization pitfall and offers a pragmatic workaround for representing incomplete or overlapping categorical data. It’s especially useful for analysts, educators, and designers needing to communicate partial or non-exclusive percentages clearly.

Used in data visualization tutorials, UX design guides, or educational content about statistical integrity; targets users seeking ethical charting practices when categories aren’t mutually exclusive or exhaustive. Matches intent for “how to fix pie chart percentages >100” or “non-100% pie chart alternatives.”