What is the difference between a Mekko chart and a stacked bar chart?

A stacked bar chart has columns of equal width. A Mekko chart has variable-width columns where both the height AND width represent data. This allows you to visualize two dimensions simultaneously: typically market size (width) and market share (height).

When should I use a Mekko chart?

Use Mekko charts for market sizing and share analysis (showing segment size and competitor shares), share of wallet analysis (customer spending across categories), competitive landscape visualization (market size by geography with competitor positions), and portfolio analysis (revenue by product and customer segment).

Why is it called a Marimekko chart?

The name 'Marimekko' comes from the Finnish textile and fashion company known for bold, geometric patterns. The variable-width rectangular segments of the chart resemble Marimekko's distinctive fabric designs, which feature blocks of color in different sizes.

Can I create a Mekko chart in PowerPoint?

Native PowerPoint cannot create true Mekko charts because it lacks variable-width columns. You need either a complex Excel workaround with stacked area charts, or a PowerPoint add-in like Deckary or Mekko Graphics.

Chart guide

Mekko chart

Name: Deckary
Author: Deckary

A Mekko chart (or Marimekko chart) uses variable-width columns to show two data dimensions at once—typically market size and market share. Also called a market map or mosaic chart.

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Company A
Company B
Company C
Others

Width = Market Size | Height = Market Share

Interactive Mekko chart example

What is a Mekko chart?

A Mekko chart (also called a Marimekko chart or mosaic plot) is a two-dimensional variation of a stacked bar chart where both the height AND width of columns represent data values.

The defining feature is variable-width columns:

Column width represents one dimension (typically total market size or revenue)
Column height segments represent another dimension (typically market share or composition)

This dual-encoding makes Mekko charts exceptionally powerful for competitive and market analysis in consulting, strategy, and finance. When a partner asks for a market map showing both segment size and competitive share in one view, a Mekko chart is usually the answer.

Also known as

Marimekko chartNamed after Finnish textile company's patterns
Market mapCommonly used to map market landscapes
Mosaic chartResembles a mosaic of rectangular tiles
Variable-width chartColumns vary in width by data values

Mekko vs. standard stacked bar

In a standard stacked bar chart, all columns have equal width—you can only show one dimension (composition). In a Mekko chart, column width varies by data, letting you show both size AND composition at once. This is why consultants use Mekko charts for market sizing: the enterprise segment being 3x wider than SMB immediately shows its relative importance.

When to use Mekko charts

Mekko charts excel in four key scenarios

Market sizing & share

Show how large each market segment is AND who owns what share in a single visualization.

Market size ($B) by segment
Competitor market share by region
Revenue by product category

Share of wallet analysis

Understand how customers allocate spending across different categories or vendors.

Customer spending by category
Wallet share by vendor
Budget allocation analysis

Competitive landscape

Map competitive positions across multiple dimensions simultaneously.

Market position by geography
Segment attractiveness vs share
Competitive intensity mapping

Portfolio analysis

Analyze revenue or investment distribution across multiple business dimensions.

Revenue by BU and customer type
Investment by sector and stage
Sales by channel and product

When not to use Mekko charts

Only one dimension mattersUse standard bar or stacked bar instead
Showing change over timeUse line chart or waterfall instead
Comparing a few discrete categoriesUse grouped bar chart instead
Audience unfamiliar with formatUse simpler visualization

If the variable width doesn't add meaningful insight, you're adding complexity without value.

Mekko chart example

A market sizing chart showing segment size and competitive shares

How to create a Mekko chart

Unlike waterfall charts, native PowerPoint and Excel cannot create true Mekko charts because they lack variable-width columns. Here are your options:

Excel workaround

Use stacked area charts with invisible series to simulate variable widths. Works but takes 60-90 minutes and breaks easily when data changes.

Excel Marimekko guide

PowerPoint add-ins

Tools like Deckary and Mekko Graphics create true Mekko charts in seconds with proper formatting and data linking.

PowerPoint Mekko guide

With Deckary

Create professional Mekko charts in under 60 seconds. Automatic formatting, Excel data linking, and consulting-grade styling.

Create this chart in PowerPoint

BI tools

Power BI, Tableau, and Qlik offer Mekko chart options for dashboards. Good for dynamic data but less control over presentation styling.

Create professional Mekko charts

Skip the 90-minute Excel workarounds. Deckary creates consulting-grade Mekko charts in seconds with automatic formatting and Excel linking—at a lower price than Mekko Graphics.

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Mekko chart FAQ

Common questions about Mekko and Marimekko charts