Stem and Leaf Plot Generator
Instantly create an ordered stem and leaf plot from any data set. Get the full plot, key, and statistical summary in one click.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|
How to Read a Stem and Leaf Plot
Stem and leaf plots display each data value split into two parts: the stem holds the leading digits and the leaf holds the last digit. A plot key such as “3 | 4 = 34” tells you exactly how to combine stem and leaf to read any value.
Each row in the plot represents a range of ten values. Reading across a single row from left to right shows you all the values that fall within that range, sorted from smallest to largest when the plot is ordered.
Example Plot Reference
| Stem | Leaves | Values Represented |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 2 | 12, 12 |
| 2 | 3 3 | 23, 23 |
| 3 | 4 4 | 34, 34 |
| 4 | 5 5 | 45, 45 |
| 5 | 6 | 56 |
| 6 | 7 | 67 |
| 7 | 6 | 76 |
| 8 | 9 | 89 |
What Is a Stem and Leaf Plot?
A stem and leaf plot is a statistical display tool that preserves every original data value while organizing the data visually to reveal distribution shape. Unlike a histogram which bins data into ranges and loses individual values, the stem and leaf plot keeps every exact number in plain sight.
The plot was popularized by statistician John Tukey in the 1970s as part of exploratory data analysis. It remains a fundamental tool in statistics courses worldwide because it shows data shape, spread, clusters, gaps, and outliers all in a single compact display.
How to Make a Stem and Leaf Plot
Making a stem and leaf plot by hand or with this tool follows four steps. First, identify the range of your data and determine what the stems will be. For two digit numbers, the tens digit is the stem and the units digit is the leaf.
Second, list all possible stems in a vertical column from smallest to largest. Third, go through each data value and write its leaf digit next to the corresponding stem. Fourth, rewrite the plot with leaves sorted in ascending order within each row, add a title, and write the key below the plot.
Stem and Leaf Plot Formula
There is no single formula for a stem and leaf plot. The rule is: for each value X, the stem S = floor(X / 10) and the leaf L = X mod 10, so that X = S * 10 + L. For decimals, the split point changes depending on the level of precision needed.
Stem and Leaf Plot vs Histogram
Stem and leaf plots and histograms both show data distribution, but they serve different purposes. A stem and leaf plot retains every data value, making it ideal for small to medium data sets where individual values matter. A histogram groups values into bins and is better suited for large data sets where the overall shape is more important than individual values.
For classroom statistics, exploratory analysis, or data sets with fewer than 200 values, the stem and leaf plot gives you more useful information at a glance.
Frequently Asked Questions
A stem and leaf plot is a data display method that organizes numbers by splitting each value into a stem (the leading digit or digits) and a leaf (the final digit). It shows the full data set while revealing distribution and shape at a glance.
To read a stem and leaf plot, combine each stem value in the left column with each leaf digit in its row. For example, a stem of 4 and a leaf of 7 represents the number 47. The key below the plot confirms the exact unit used.
An ordered stem and leaf plot arranges leaf digits from smallest to largest within each row, making it easier to identify the median and range. An unordered plot lists leaves in the sequence the data was originally entered.
Yes. For negative numbers the stem is treated as negative and listed above the positive stems in the plot. The leaf digits remain positive single digits representing the absolute unit value.
This tool can process large data sets of hundreds of values entered as comma separated or space separated numbers. It handles integers and decimals, automatically rounding decimals to the nearest integer for correct display.