---
title: Histogram visualization
description: A histogram is a way to view the distribution of data. The y-axis is dedicated to count, and the x-axis is divided into bins.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/influxdb/cloud/visualize-data/visualization-types/histogram/
estimated_tokens: 1294
product: InfluxDB Cloud (TSM)
version: cloud
---

# Histogram visualization

A histogram is a way to view the distribution of data. The y-axis is dedicated to count, and the X-axis is divided into bins.

![Histogram example](/img/influxdb/2-0-visualizations-histogram-example.png)

Select the **Histogram** option from the visualization dropdown in the upper left.

## Histogram behavior

The Histogram visualization is a bar graph that displays the number of data points that fall within “bins” – segments of the X axis with upper and lower bounds. Bin thresholds are determined by dividing the width of the X axis by the number of bins set using the [Bins option](#options). Data within bins can be further grouped or segmented by selecting columns in the [Group By option](#options).

The Histogram visualization automatically bins, segments, and counts data. To work properly, query results **should not** be structured as histogram data.

## Histogram Controls

To view **Histogram** controls, click **Customize** next to the visualization dropdown.

###### Data

-   **X Column**: The column to select data from.
-   **Group By**: The column to group by.

###### Options

-   **Color Scheme**: Select a color scheme to use for your graph.
-   **Positioning**: Select **Stacked** to stack groups in a bin on top of each other. Select **Overlaid** to overlay groups in each bin.
-   **Bins**: Enter a number of bins to divide data into or select Auto to automatically calculate the number of bins.
    -   **Auto** or **Custom**: Enable or disable auto-setting.

###### X Axis

-   **X Axis Label**: Label for the x-axis.
-   **X Axis Domain**: The x-axis value range.
    -   **Auto**: Automatically determine the value range based on values in the data set.
    -   **Custom**: Manually specify the value range of the x-axis.
        -   **Min**: Minimum x-axis value.
        -   **Max**: Maximum x-axis value.

###### Hover Legend

-   **Orientation**: Select the orientation of the legend that appears upon hover:
    -   **Horizontal**: Select to display the legend horizontally.
    -   **Vertical**: Select to display the legend vertically.
-   **Opacity**: Adjust the legend opacity using the slider.
-   **Colorize Rows**: Select to display legend rows in colors.

## Histogram examples

### View error counts by severity over time

The following example uses the Histogram visualization to show the number of errors “binned” by time and segmented by severity. *It utilizes data from the [Telegraf Syslog plugin](/telegraf/v1/plugins//#syslog).*

##### Query for errors by severity code

```js
from(bucket: "example-bucket")
    |> range(start: v.timeRangeStart, stop: v.timeRangeStop)
    |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == "syslog" and r._field == "severity_code")
```

##### Histogram settings

In the Histogram visualization options, select `_time` as the [X Column](#data) and `severity` as the [Group By](#data) option:

![Errors histogram](/img/influxdb/2-0-visualizations-histogram-errors.png)