Paste a list of numbers to get a neat stem-and-leaf plot with a key, ready to copy as text or download as a PNG. Choose split stems to spread out crowded data, or compare two groups in a back-to-back plot, with the median, quartiles and mode worked out for you.
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Plot type
Summary statistics
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How to use the Stem and Leaf Plot Maker
Choose the plot type: standard, split stems, or back-to-back for two data sets.
Paste your numbers separated by commas, spaces or new lines.
Check the leaf unit: Auto picks it from your data, or set it yourself (for example 0.1 for one decimal place).
Read the plot and key, with summary statistics underneath.
Copy the plot as text or download it as a PNG for homework or slides.
How a stem-and-leaf plot works
Each value is split into a stem and a leaf. The leaf is a single digit at the leaf unit's place value, and the stem is everything to the left of it. With a leaf unit of 1, the value 74 has stem 7 and leaf 4; with a leaf unit of 10, the value 740 also has stem 7 and leaf 4, which is why every plot needs a key.
Data value
Leaf unit
Stem
Leaf
Key
74
1
7
4
7 | 4 = 74
3.6
0.1
3
6
3 | 6 = 3.6
128
1
12
8
12 | 8 = 128
1,450
100
1
4
1 | 4 = 1,400 (truncated)
−0.7
0.1
−0
7
−0 | 7 = −0.7
Example: quiz scores
The 20 scores 62, 68, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 75, 76, 77, 78, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 88 and 94 give this plot (key 7 | 4 = 74):
You can see at a glance that most scores are in the 70s, the mode is a tie between 75 and 78, and the median is the average of the 10th and 11th leaves: (77 + 78) ÷ 2 = 77.5.
Tips for a clear plot
Aim for about 5 to 15 stems. Too few stems hide the shape; too many spread the data thin. Auto mode picks a leaf unit that keeps the plot in that range.
Keep empty stems. Leaving out a stem with no leaves hides gaps in the data, which is often what you want to notice.
Space leaves evenly. Each leaf takes the same width, so the rows work like the bars of a sideways histogram.
Truncate or round? Textbooks usually truncate (cut off) extra digits; rounding is closer to the real value. Either is fine as long as you say which in the key or caption.
Next step: use the five-number summary from the statistics table to draw a box plot of the same data.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a stem-and-leaf plot?
Sort the data, split each number into a stem (all digits but the last) and a leaf (the last digit), list the stems in order in a column, and write each leaf beside its stem. For 47, the stem is 4 and the leaf is 7. Add a key such as "4 | 7 = 47" so readers know the place values.
How do you make a stem-and-leaf plot with decimals?
Choose a leaf unit of 0.1, so the last digit after the decimal point is the leaf: 3.6 becomes stem 3, leaf 6. The key, "3 | 6 = 3.6", tells the reader where the decimal point goes. Values with more decimals are truncated or rounded to the leaf unit.
What is a split stem-and-leaf plot?
Each stem is listed twice: the first row holds leaves 0 to 4 and the second row leaves 5 to 9. Use it when most data shares a few stems, so the shape of the distribution is easier to see.
How do you read a back-to-back stem-and-leaf plot?
The stems run down the middle. Leaves for the first data set are on the left and read from right to left (from the stem outward), and leaves for the second set are on the right. With a "2 | 6 | 1" key, the left 2 means 62 and the right 1 means 61.
How do I find the median from a stem-and-leaf plot?
Count the leaves to get n. The median is the value in position (n + 1) ÷ 2 when you count leaves from the smallest stem; for an even n, average the two middle values. The tool lists the median, quartiles and mode below the plot.
How do you show negative numbers in a stem-and-leaf plot?
Use negative stems, including a −0 stem for values between −1 and 0 (with a leaf unit of 0.1) or between −9 and 0 (with a leaf unit of 1). For −23 the stem is −2 and the leaf is 3. Leaves on negative stems are ordered so values still increase down the plot.
Stem-and-leaf plot or histogram?
A stem-and-leaf plot keeps every original value, so you can still read the median and mode, and it works best for about 15 to 100 values. For larger data sets, a histogram or box plot is easier to read.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.