---
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/v2/visualize-data/visualization-types/histogram/
estimated_tokens: 886
product: InfluxDB OSS v2
version: v2
publisher: InfluxData
canonical: https://docs.influxdata.com/influxdb/v2/visualize-data/visualization-types/histogram/
date: '2025-04-02T15:54:32-06:00'
lastmod: '2025-04-02T15:54:32-06:00'
---
This page documents an earlier version of InfluxDB OSS.[InfluxDB 3 Core](/influxdb3/core/) is the latest stable version.
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For more information, see [Token hashing](/influxdb/v2/admin/tokens/#token-hashing).
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.
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).
> [!Note]
> 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:
