How to Create a Donut Chart in Google Analytics

Trying to create a donut chart directly in Google Analytics 4 can feel like searching for a feature that simply isn't there. That's because, while GA4 has powerful data exploration tools, a one-click donut chart option isn't one of them. This guide will walk you through the most practical ways to get the job done, showing you how to create the visual you need either within GA4 itself or by using its data in a more flexible tool.

Graphed

Build AI Agents for Marketing

Build virtual employees that run your go to market. Connect your data sources, deploy autonomous agents, and grow your company.

Build Your First Agent

So, Why No Donut Chart in GA4?

Google Analytics 4 is built around a different philosophy than its predecessor, Universal Analytics. The focus is on event-based tracking and flexible, custom reporting through the "Explore" section. While you can create bar charts, line graphs, scatter plots, and even pie charts, the "donut" variation was likely deemed a lower priority, as its function is nearly identical to a pie chart.

Both charts show parts of a whole - for example, what percentage of your website traffic comes from different channels (Organic, Paid, Direct, etc.). The only real difference is aesthetic: a donut chart has a hole in the middle. This space isn't just for looks, it's often used to display a key metric, like the total number of sessions or conversions, providing valuable context at a glance.

Since the pie chart gets you 90% of the way there, we'll start with the closest native solution inside GA4 before moving on to methods for creating a true donut chart.

AI Agents for Marketing

Crash Course

Graphed

Free PDF · the crash course

AI Agents for Marketing Crash Course

Learn how to deploy AI marketing agents across your go-to-market — the best tools, prompts, and workflows to turn your data into autonomous execution without writing code.

Download the PDF

Method 1: Creating a Pie Chart in GA4 Explore Reports

If you need a quick visualization of your data's composition and don't want to leave the GA4 interface, a pie chart is your best bet. It functions exactly like a donut chart for comparing proportions. Setting one up is simple using an Exploration report.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a GA4 Pie Chart

Let's say we want to see a breakdown of website sessions by device category (Desktop, Mobile, Tablet).

1. Navigate to the Explore Section: From your GA4 dashboard, click on "Explore" in the left-hand navigation panel.
2. Start a New Exploration: Choose "Blank exploration" to begin with a clean slate.
3. Name Your Report: Give your exploration a descriptive name like "Sessions by Device."
4. Add Your Dimension:
5. Add Your Metric:
6. Build the Visualization:
7. Select the Pie Chart: Above your data table, you'll see a set of chart icons. Click on the pie chart icon. Voilà! You now have a visual breakdown of your session data by device.

This method is fast, requires no external tools, and is perfect for quick internal analysis. However, if you have your heart set on the classic donut shape, you'll need to export the data.

Method 2: Building a True Donut Chart With GA4 Data in Google Sheets

For many marketing and sales teams, spreadsheets are their reporting hub. This method involves a classic workflow: exporting raw data from Google Analytics and using the powerful charting tools in Google Sheets to create a fully customizable donut chart.

Graphed

Build AI Agents for Marketing

Build virtual employees that run your go to market. Connect your data sources, deploy autonomous agents, and grow your company.

Build Your First Agent

Step 1: Export Your Report from GA4

First, you need the data. Using the same exploration report you built in the previous method (with the data displayed as a table, not yet a pie chart), you can easily export the results.

• In the top right corner of your exploration report, find the share and export icon (a box with an arrow pointing out).
• Click it and select either "Download as CSV" or "Export to Google Sheets." The direct export to Sheets is often the easiest option.

You now have a clean datasheet with two columns: one for your dimension (Device Category) and one for your metric (Sessions).

Step 2: Create the Donut Chart in Google Sheets

Now comes the easy part. With your data neatly organized in Google Sheets, creating a donut chart takes just a few clicks.

1. Select Your Data: Highlight the columns containing your dimension and metric, including the headers. In our example, you'd select the "Device category" column and the "Sessions" column.
2. Insert the Chart: Go to the menu bar and click Insert → Chart.
3. Choose the Donut Chart Type: Google Sheets will likely default to a pie chart or bar chart. No problem. In the "Chart editor" that appears on the right side, go to the "Setup" tab. Click the dropdown under "Chart type" and scroll down to the "Pie" section. Select the "Donut chart" option.

Your data is now visualized as a professional-looking donut chart. You can use the "Customize" tab in the chart editor to change everything from colors and labels to the chart title and the size of the donut hole.

Bonus Method: Using Google's Looker Studio

If you find yourself frequently exporting GA4 data to build visuals, it might be time to use Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio). Looker Studio is Google's free, powerful business intelligence tool that connects directly to your GA4 property, meaning your data refreshes automatically - no more manual CSV downloads.

AI Agents for Marketing

Crash Course

Graphed

Free PDF · the crash course

AI Agents for Marketing Crash Course

Learn how to deploy AI marketing agents across your go-to-market — the best tools, prompts, and workflows to turn your data into autonomous execution without writing code.

Download the PDF

Getting Started with Looker Studio

1. Go to lookerstudio.google.com and create a blank report.
2. When prompted to add data, select the "Google Analytics" connector.
3. Authorize the connection to your account and choose the correct GA4 Property you want to pull data from.
4. Once connected, click "Add a chart" from the top menu and select one of the "Pie" chart options, which includes both a standard pie and a donut chart.
5. Use the properties panel on the right to select your Dimension (e.g., Device category) and Metric (e.g., Sessions).

Looker Studio takes a few minutes to set up initially, but it automates the entire process afterward, giving you live dashboards that are always up-to-date.

Best Practices for Effective Donut Charts

Now that you know how to make them, here are a few tips to ensure your donut charts are clear and insightful, not just decorative.

• Keep Categories Limited: Donut and pie charts become difficult to read with too many slices. Aim for three to five categories for maximum clarity. If you have more, consider grouping smaller segments into an "Other" category or using a bar chart instead.
• Maintain a Logical Order: Arrange the slices from largest to smallest (or vice versa) in a clockwise direction. Most charting tools do this automatically, but it makes the data much easier to interpret at a glance.
• Use Color Thoughtfully: Ensure there's enough contrast between colors for readability. Avoid using colors that are too similar, and consider using brand colors for consistency in your reports.
• Label Clearly: Make sure each slice is clearly labeled with both the category name and its value (either as a percentage or the raw number). This prevents viewers from having to constantly reference a separate legend.

Final Thoughts

While Google Analytics 4 doesn't give you a direct button to make a donut chart, you have excellent options. You can use the built-in pie chart in an Exploration for a quick look or export your data to Google Sheets and Looker Studio to build fully customized, refreshable dashboards perfect for sharing with your team.

This process of connecting data sources and manually building reports is standard, but it can be time-consuming. We built Graphed to eliminate these manual steps entirely. Instead of exporting CSVs or learning a new BI tool, we let you connect Google Analytics in a few clicks and simply ask for what you want in plain English. You could ask, "Show me a donut chart of our sessions by device for the last 30 days," and our AI would instantly build a live, interactive dashboard for you, saving you valuable time and effort.