Real-World Example

Expense Pie Chart Example

See how a typical small business allocates its operating expenses across key cost categories.

Example Chart

Interactive preview with real data

Live Preview
My Pie Chart Data
CategoryValuePercentage
Category A3030.0%
Category B2525.0%
Category C2020.0%
Category D1515.0%
Category E1010.0%

Categories

5

Total Value

100

Chart Type

pie

Chart Settings

0°

Export Chart

Includes watermark
Pro
Pro

Go Pro — $7.99

No watermark, transparent BG, hi-res 2x, premium palettes

Free exports include a small "Made with piechartgenerator.com" watermark. Go Pro for $7.99

Edit the Data

Modify the example or enter your own data

Label
Value
%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
Live preview active
Total: 100
Data Summary
5 items

Total Value

100

Categories

Manual: Add categories one by one with custom colors

Paste: Copy from Excel or Google Sheets (Label, Value format)

CSV: Upload any CSV file with your data

About This Data

Composite data based on U.S. Small Business Administration benchmarks for a 10-15 person professional services firm.

Note: Payroll includes employer-side taxes and benefits (health insurance, retirement contributions).

Key Insights from This Data

Payroll Is the Largest Expense by Far

At 56% of total expenses, payroll and benefits dominate the budget, which is typical for service-based businesses where people are the primary asset.

Rent Remains a Significant Fixed Cost

Facilities costs at 14.5% are the second-largest category. Many businesses are re-evaluating this line item as remote and hybrid work models reduce space requirements.

Technology Costs Are Growing

Software and tools at nearly 10% reflect the increasing reliance on SaaS subscriptions, cloud infrastructure, and productivity platforms in modern businesses.

Discretionary Categories Offer Flexibility

Travel, meals, and office supplies combined represent under 6%, providing a buffer that can be adjusted during lean periods without disrupting core operations.

Best Practices for This Chart Type
  • Use a professional color palette — avoid overly bright or clashing colors for business presentations.
  • Label each segment with both dollar amounts and percentages for clarity in financial reviews.
  • Highlight the largest expense category with a slightly pulled-out (exploded) slice to draw attention.
  • Include the total expense figure in the title for immediate context.
  • Compare against industry benchmarks or prior year data in footnotes to add analytical depth.
  • Keep a consistent color-to-category mapping across quarterly and annual reports.

Frequently Asked Questions