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Chart.js helps you create HTML charts, radars, and diagrams for the web. Learn Chart.js with online courses delivered through edX.

What is Chart.js?

Chart.js is a free, open-source JavaScript library for data visualization. Across industries, developers use it to create different types of HTML-based charts for both commercial and personal use. For example, a food retailer that wants to display the calorie counts on their online menu could use Chart.js to visualize those data points in a graphical format. Similarly, applications that track the prices of certain products around the web might use Chart.js to display price timelines.

Charting libraries like Chart.js provide a collection of chart types, plugins, and customization types for developers to quickly build interactive data visualizations. Built-in chart configurations offer out-of-the-box charts, with the option to add extras such as annotations and drag-and-drop functionalities.

Whether you want to visualize simple data points or create complex, interactive charts, Chart.js can help you turn data into visual information for websites and mobile applications. With Chart.js, you can create: area charts, bar charts, bubble charts, line graphs, pie charts, polar area charts, radar charts, scatter plots, and mixed-type charts.1

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Chart.js course curriculum

A Chart.js tutorial may cover the basics of Chart.js and visualization libraries, including how to build workable charts. Courses may also present Chart.js examples and explain how to use other charting libraries such as the JavaScript chart library and HTML5 charts.

A Chart.js class can prepare developers to work professionally with building custom visualizations and incorporating them into websites. Chart.js courses could be an excellent way to learn these skills and how to integrate them in a professional scope.

A Chart.js course may teach you how to:2

  • Work with JavaScript libraries
  • Install Chart.js
  • Utilize different types of data visualizations available through Chart.js
  • Create charts from scratch with Chart.js
  • Load data into a Chart.js graph
  • Customize Chart.js chart configurations
  • Integrate Chart.js charts with front-end frameworks

Explore jobs that use Chart.js

Jobs that use Chart.js may require strong knowledge of coding languages and web frameworks, such as JavaScript and Angular. Experience in computer science, front-end development, or data visualization could also be a sought after skill for professionals in this space.

Some professions that may use Chart.js in their work include:

  • Data scientist: Analyze and interpret data to extract insights and optimize business operations. They can be found working in multiple industries, including healthcare, banking, government, e-commerce, higher education, and beyond. Data scientists may use Chart.js or other visualization software to demonstrate findings to other team members.3
  • Market research analyst: Gather data to analyze market trends, consumer preferences, and business conditions. They use these findings to develop informed business or marketing strategies. A market research analyst could use Chart.js to convert findings into interpretable tables or graphs.4
  • Web or application developer: Create and maintain websites, along with managing a website’s technical aspects and creating content for pages. Web developers use front-end technology to optimize layout and UI. They might use Chart.js to create interactive or non-interactive models on user-facing web or mobile applications.5

Are you interested in developing the skills you need for your next career? Explore the different educational offerings delivered through edX. Sign up for a specialized boot camp or enroll in a variety of degree programs, including a bachelor's degree program as well as a master’s degree program. Find the right educational pathway for you.

How to use Chart.js as a data scientist

Chart.js is compatible with popular JavaScript frameworks, such as React, Vue, and Angular. This allows for native integration with a variety of web applications. Additionally, chart elements are rendered on an HTML5 canvas, instead of SVG, improving performance for large datasets.6

This widespread compatibility and efficiency for use with big data makes Chart.js a great option for data scientists. Data scientists could use Chart.js to visualize findings from large datasets and create interactive graphs or charts for presentation. Their research helps identify pain points and growth opportunities in order to boost the efficiency of an app, website, or company at-large.7

If you are interested in adding new skills to your résumé, explore how online learning opportunities such as a coding boot camp or even a bachelor’s degree in computer science can help you build the expertise and experience you need to pursue roles in this field.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Chart.js used for?

    Chart.js is an open-source JavaScript chart library used to visualize data as HTML charts and graphs. With Chart.js, you can make scatter plots, bar charts, radars, and more. It can be used to represent data for analytic purposes or to create interactive visualizations on user-facing websites and mobile applications.

    Why should you learn Chart.js?

    Understanding Chart.js can be a useful skill for data visualization. It is an efficient and powerful tool for web and app developers, data scientists, and business analysts. Chart.js helps professionals create interactive and customized graphics more quickly and easily than from scratch in JavaScript. You may consider learning Chart.js if you want to work in web and app development, or in data science and computer science.

    How long does it take to learn Chart.js?

    How long it takes to learn Chart.js depends on the learner’s current knowledge and experience level with a few concepts. Those familiar with JavaScript and building programmatic data visualizations may be able to learn Chart.js faster than someone new to coding.

    Do I need a JavaScript background to learn Chart.js?

    Chart.js is a JavaScript chart library, so a background in JavaScript will be helpful for learning the tool. However, Chart.js does offer out-of-the-box configurations and simple setup options that make creating data visualizations possible faster. A basic understanding of JavaScript could be enough for some learners to get started.

    Which is better: Highcharts or Chart.js?

    Highcharts and Chart.js are both JavaScript charting libraries and each offers options for customization and animation. Chart.js is generally more lightweight than Highcharts, meaning it uses fewer computational resources. Highcharts allows users to create more chart types and offers more customizations. However, Highcharts is not free for commercial use. Both platforms are great for data visualization and choosing one will come down to your unique needs and preferences.

    Which is better: D3 or Chart.js?

    D3 (Data-Driven Documents) is also a JavaScript charting library. It is document-based and builds SVGs, not HTML canvases like Chart.js. D3 visualizations are highly customizable and interactive, but it requires users to build each individual element largely from scratch. Users will likely need a stronger understanding of JavaScript to use D3. Meanwhile, Chart.js comes with ready-made visualization tools. Which library is better depends on the developer’s skills and needs.

    1. Chart.js. (2023). Chart.js. Retrieved January 11, 2023

    2. Step-by-step guide. (2023). Chart.js. Retrieved March 6, 2023

    3. What Data Scientists Do. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved March 6, 2023

    4. What Market Research Analysts Do. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved March 6, 2023

    5. What Web Developers and Digital Designers Do. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved March 6, 2023

    6. Chart.js. (2023). Chart.js. Retrieved January 11, 2023

    7. What Data Scientists Do. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved March 6, 2023