Proportional Flow Widths
Link widths automatically scale to match your flow values, making relative magnitudes immediately obvious to any viewer.
Chart & Visualization Tools
Sankey Diagrams, Built Instantly
Our interactive Sankey diagram maker transforms raw flow data into proportional, color-coded diagrams. Describe your data or paste it in, and AI handles the rest.
Features
Everything You Need in a Sankey Diagram Maker
Purpose-built for flow visualization — not a generic chart tool.
Drag-and-Drop Node Editor
Add, rename, reorder, and color nodes through a visual editor — no need to touch raw data tables.
Custom Color Schemes
Choose per-node colors or gradient flows to highlight sources, targets, or categories that matter most in your analysis.
AI Flow Generation
Describe your process in plain language and the AI creates a structured Sankey diagram with nodes, links, and values already mapped.
Instant Live Preview
Every edit — adding a node, changing a value, adjusting spacing — updates the diagram in real time so you always see the result.
Smooth Animation Controls
Set animation speed for entry transitions so your Sankey diagrams feel polished when presenting or embedding on a website.
Data input
Add Your Flow Data Your Way
Type It In
Manually define nodes and link values using the simple flow editor — no code required.
Paste From Spreadsheet
Copy rows from Excel or Google Sheets and paste them directly into the diagram builder.
Describe With AI
Tell the AI what flows you want to map and it generates a complete Sankey diagram for you.
Upload a File (Pro)
Import CSV or Excel files with source, target, and value columns to auto-build your diagram.
Share
Share Your Sankey Diagram Anywhere
Download as PNG or SVG
Export pixel-perfect images for presentations, reports, and social media posts.
Copy a Share Link
Generate a shareable URL so colleagues can view or remix your Sankey diagram instantly.
Embed on Your Site
Paste a single embed snippet to add a live, interactive Sankey diagram to any webpage.
Drop Into Slides
Export and insert into PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Notion without quality loss.
About MakeCharts Sankey Tool
MakeCharts is a free online chart maker built for clarity and speed. The Sankey diagram maker is designed to turn complex flow data into proportional, easy-to-read visuals in minutes. No installation, no learning curve — just your data and a finished diagram.
<2 minTime to first diagram
50+Chart styles available
12+Languages supported
10k+AI charts generated
NoneSign-up required
Workflow
How to Make a Sankey Diagram
Define Your Nodes
Add the categories or stages in your flow — sources, intermediaries, and destinations. Name and color each one.
Set Your Flow Links
Connect nodes with directional links and assign a numeric value to each. Link width will reflect the value automatically.
Customize and Export
Adjust colors, label sizes, node spacing, and animation speed. Then download, share, or embed your finished Sankey diagram.
Use cases
Who Uses Sankey Diagrams
Visualize Energy Efficiency
Map how energy enters a system and where it is lost or converted, making inefficiencies immediately visible to engineers and stakeholders.
Track Budget and Revenue Flows
Show how money moves through a company — from revenue sources through departments to final expenses or profit — in one clear diagram.
Map User Journeys and Traffic
Illustrate how visitors move through a website or funnel, identifying where users drop off and where they convert.
Chart Material and Product Flows
Trace raw materials from origin through processing and distribution to final delivery, highlighting bottlenecks and waste.
Templates
Start with professionally designed templates
Carbon Circular Flow Sankey: See Where Carbon Goessankey
Visualize your carbon circular flow instantly. Spot emissions, recycling, and sequestration hotspots to improve ESG reporting and cut footprint fast.
Sankey Diagram Template - Map Flows ClearlysankeyStart with a blank Sankey template to map energy, budget, or process flows. Customize nodes, links, and colors instantly - no design skills needed.
Energy Flow Sankey Diagram TemplatesankeyVisualize energy sources, generation, and consumption with this free Sankey diagram template. Track flows from coal, gas, and renewables to end sectors.
Water Flow Sankey Diagram TemplatesankeyMap the full water cycle — from rainfall and snowmelt to treatment plants, residential use, and beyond — with this free Sankey diagram template.
Supply Chain Sankey Diagram TemplatesankeyVisualize your supply chain flows from raw materials to end consumers with this free Sankey diagram template. Track product movement and returns.
Blank Sankey Diagram TemplatesankeyStart with a blank Sankey diagram template to visualize revenue flows, budgets, and processes. Free, customizable, and AI-powered. No account needed.
Related Tools
Create similar charts with these tools
Flow Diagram Makersankey
Build stunning Sankey flow diagrams in minutes. Visualize energy, budget, and data flows with our free AI-powered flow diagram maker. No design skills needed.
Sankey Diagram MakersankeyCreate stunning Sankey diagrams in minutes. Visualize flows, energy transfers, and resource allocation with our free AI-powered Sankey diagram generator.
Sankey Diagrams Without ExcelsankeySkip the Excel workarounds. Build a Sankey diagram in seconds with AI. Visualize flows, budgets, and processes — free, no sign-up needed. No plugins.
Energy Flow Diagrams, InstantlysankeyBuild stunning energy flow diagrams instantly with AI. Visualize where energy goes, spot waste, and present findings clearly. Free Sankey diagram maker.
Comparison
AI Sankey Maker vs. Manual Tools
See why teams replace spreadsheets and legacy diagram tools with MakeCharts.
MakeCharts AI Sankey Maker
- Describe your flow in plain language — diagram builds itself
- Proportional link widths calculated automatically
- Live preview updates with every change in real time
- No coding or design experience required
- Edit nodes and values instantly and see results immediately
- One-click export to PNG, SVG, link, or embed code
Traditional Tools
- Hours spent formatting nodes and links by hand
- Flow widths must be calculated and adjusted manually
- No live preview — errors only visible after export
- Steep learning curve for D3.js or specialized tools
- Hard to update when underlying data changes
- Exporting to different formats requires extra steps
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an interactive Sankey diagram maker?
An interactive Sankey diagram maker is an online tool that lets you build, edit, and visualize flow diagrams where link widths are proportional to flow values. MakeCharts lets you create these diagrams through a live editor or by describing your data to an AI, with no software to install.
Is this Sankey diagram maker really free?
Yes — the core interactive Sankey diagram maker is completely free. You can create, customize, download, and share Sankey diagrams without creating an account. Paid plans add more AI credits, file upload, and advanced export options.
How do I make a Sankey diagram with AI?
Type a plain-language description of the flow you want to visualize — for example, 'Show how a marketing budget of $100k splits between paid ads, content, and events, then maps to leads and conversions.' The AI interprets your description and generates a complete Sankey diagram with nodes, links, and weighted values.
What kinds of data work well in a Sankey diagram?
Sankey diagrams work best when you have a clear source-to-destination flow with numeric quantities — energy usage, budget allocation, website traffic, supply chains, or process efficiency. If your data has stages and measurable transfers between them, a Sankey diagram communicates it clearly.
Can I create a Sankey diagram from a CSV file?
Yes, with a Pro account you can upload a CSV or Excel file with source, target, and value columns to auto-generate your Sankey diagram. Free users can paste data from spreadsheets directly into the editor or use the manual node and link builder.
How do I export or share my Sankey diagram?
Once your diagram is ready, click download to save a PNG or SVG image, copy a shareable link to send to colleagues, or grab an embed code to add the live diagram to any website or dashboard. All export options are available on the free plan.
Can I customize node colors and link styles?
Absolutely. You can assign a custom color to each node individually, or switch to a gradient flow scheme that colors links by their source. Font sizes for labels and values, node width, node spacing, and link transparency are all adjustable in the display settings panel.
Is there a limit on how many nodes or flows I can add?
For most use cases there is no practical limit on the free plan. You can add as many nodes and flow links as your diagram needs. Very large diagrams with dozens of nodes may benefit from the wider canvas available in Plus and Pro plans.
How is a Sankey diagram different from a flow chart?
A flowchart shows the sequence of steps in a process using boxes and arrows of uniform size. A Sankey diagram specifically encodes quantity — the width of each link is proportional to the value of the flow it represents, making it ideal for showing where energy, money, or materials are gained or lost.
Does MakeCharts work on mobile for Sankey diagrams?
Yes. The interactive Sankey diagram maker is fully responsive and works on phones and tablets. You can create, edit, and export diagrams from any device without needing to install an app.
Built for Everyone
- No design skills or data science background required
- Accessible interface that works on any device or screen size
- Available in 12+ languages so you can work in your own
- Free tier with full chart functionality — no trial period
- Simple controls designed for beginners, with depth for experts
Your Data, Your Control
- Your chart data is not sold to third parties
- You decide what diagrams to share or keep private
- Download your charts and delete your account at any time
- No tracking of individual flow data for advertising purposes
- Data you enter stays associated with your session and account only
Start now
Start Your Sankey Diagram Now
Free, instant, and no sign-up needed — your flow diagram is one click away.
- Free forever — no credit card
- AI generation included
- PNG and SVG export
- Shareable link in one click
- Works on any device
Free to use. No account required. AI-ready.