Scallop Chord Diagram Generator - Free Online Bipartite Chord Diagram Maker
Use Scallop Chord Diagram Generator - Free Online Bipartite Chord Diagram Maker
All GotoKit tools run directly online, no download required.
Upload CSV to generate a scallop-shaped bipartite chord diagram — colored group arcs at the bottom fanning out to node arcs on top. Export PNG / SVG, all processed locally.
About this tool
Standard chord diagrams turn to mush when one side has a handful of groups and the other has a hundred nodes — patent assignees to cited patents, say. A scallop chord diagram separates the two sides: group arcs at the bottom are weighted by flow into uneven scallops, nodes fan across the top in equal-width arcs, and thin ribbons bend through the center along Bézier curves with tidy radial labels. Faithful to the classic patent-citation look.
- Export crisp PNG / SVG you can keep editing
- Multiple built-in themes, one-click switch
- Light and dark canvas support
- Free, no watermark, no limits
Compared with general charting workflows
| Aspect | This tool | Typical alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Visual direction | Optimized for a specific chart grammar | More general, but more setup |
| Export | Fast PNG/SVG export first | More formats, but heavier workflow |
| Best fit | Slides, landing pages, and social visuals | Building bespoke analytical charts from scratch |
Docs
What is a Scallop Chord Diagram?
A scallop chord diagram is a bipartite chord diagram variant: the circle is split into two zones — the bottom ~135° arc holds the “groups” (companies, organizations) drawn as thick colored rings whose widths are weighted by flow, while the top ~225° arc holds dozens of “nodes” (technologies, topics) as equal-width thin arcs so every label stays readable. Thin ribbons connect the two sides, bending through the circle center like a fanning scallop shell, making “who connects to whom, and by how much” visible at a glance. This tool reproduces the classic patent-citation reference style: a fixed 8-color palette, alphabetical node order, and tidy radial labels.
Features
- Three-column CSV: source (bottom groups, ≤12), target (top nodes, ≤120), value (positive flow), up to 300 rows
- Instant rendering: flow-weighted colored group arcs + equal-width grey node arcs + center-crossing bézier ribbons with radial labels
- Crossing-reduced layout: groups run clockwise from the lower right in CSV order, nodes are alphabetical, and the sub-arc ordering minimizes ribbon crossings
- Light / dark modes: one-click canvas style toggle
- PNG & SVG export: high-resolution PNG (2x pixel ratio) and vector SVG download, no watermark
- Local privacy: all data is parsed and rendered in your browser, never uploaded
Use Cases
- Patent & citation analysis: which organizations cite which technologies
- Industry mapping: companies to product lines, suppliers to categories
- Research collaboration: institutions to research topics, authors to themes
- Marketing & audience: brands to channels, products to segments
- Knowledge graphs: courses to skills, roles to competencies
How to Use
- Open the page to see the sample diagram of 8 companies and 78 technologies; upload or drop your own CSV (or click “Load sample”)
- Toggle light / dark mode if needed
- Click “Download PNG” or “Download SVG” to save the image
CSV example (three comma-separated columns, header optional):
source,target,value
Alcoa,Seamless Steel,3
Alcoa,Steel Design,3
CSIRO,Mining,3Data Format
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| source | Yes | Bottom group name (≤12 unique) |
| target | Yes | Top node name (≤120 unique); must not overlap with source names |
| value | Yes | Positive flow value; group arc widths are proportional to their totals |
Limits: at most 12 groups, 120 nodes and 300 rows; the two name columns must be disjoint (bipartite requirement).
How to read this chart
The two partitions read differently: bottom scallops are groups (say, patent assignees) sized by their total flow, while the equal-width top arcs are single nodes (patents). Ribbons run from a group to the nodes it reaches. Because the top arcs are equal-width, density along the top signals node count, not flow volume — do not confuse it with the bottom.
About Gotokit
Gotokit builds simple, efficient and beautiful online tools. This scallop chord diagram generator runs on the ECharts rendering engine — no signup required, open-and-use, with all data processed locally for your privacy.
FAQ
How do source, target and value map onto the lower and upper partitions?
A fixed three-column structure: source (bottom group names, up to 12), target (top node names, up to 120) and value (positive flow). The name sets of the two columns must not overlap (bipartite requirement); up to 300 rows, with or without a header.
How are the arc widths determined?
Bottom group arcs are flow-weighted — the larger a group’s total, the wider its arc — while top node arcs are equal-width so dozens of labels stay evenly readable. Groups run clockwise from the lower right in CSV first-appearance order, nodes are alphabetical, and the sub-arc order on both sides is optimized to reduce ribbon crossings.
Is this chart tool better for slides, reports, or social visuals?
All three can work, but each needs a different emphasis. Slides care about legibility, reports care about structure and annotation, and social visuals care about density and style. Tune colors, labels, and export size for the destination.
When should I export PNG instead of SVG?
PNG is usually better for slides, chats, or social sharing, while SVG is better if you need to keep editing, scale for print, or embed the graphic in a design system. If the target platform does not support SVG, export a higher-resolution PNG.
How is this different from a general charting tool?
These tools are optimized for a specific visual grammar, so you can get to a strong result faster. General charting tools are more flexible across many chart families, but usually take more setup and styling work.
Can I use this tool on mobile phones or tablets?
Most tools work in modern mobile browsers, but complex charts, larger files, and precision drag-and-drop tasks usually feel better on desktop. If speed and control matter, desktop is the safer choice.
Is this tool better for one-off tasks or recurring workflows?
It is strongest for fast one-off tasks, quick verification, and temporary exports. If you need long-term automation, team collaboration, or deeper integration, you will usually pair it with desktop software, scripts, or a larger system.
How can I get a better result on the first try?
Start with the built-in example or with the smallest realistic sample you have. Once the format, layout, and export look right, switch to the full dataset or final asset. This is usually the fastest way to catch formatting issues early.
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