How to Describe an IELTS Pie Chart
Pie charts test your ability to describe proportions and make comparisons. When two pie charts are given, the comparison between them is the most important feature.
About this chart type
A pie chart shows how a whole is divided into parts, expressed as percentages or proportions. IELTS Task 1 often gives two pie charts to compare — for example, the same spending categories in two different years or countries. Your key task is to identify which segments are largest and smallest, note any segments that are similar in size, and compare across charts if two are given.
Structure
How to structure your response
Introduction
30–45 wordsParaphrase the chart title. State what the pie chart(s) show — what the whole represents (e.g., total expenditure, total energy consumption) and how it is divided.
Overview
35–50 wordsState which segment(s) are largest and smallest across all charts. If two charts are given, identify the most striking change or similarity between them.
Body Paragraph 1
60–80 wordsDescribe the largest and most notable segments in detail, with exact figures. For two-chart comparisons, compare the same segment across both charts.
Body Paragraph 2
60–80 wordsDescribe the remaining segments, grouping similar-sized ones where possible. Always note which segments changed the most between charts if a comparison is required.
Real Examples
Sample overview paragraphs compared
Sample task
The pie charts below show the proportion of household income spent on different categories in one country in 1980 and 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
✗ Band 5–6
“The two pie charts show spending in 1980 and 2020. There are some differences and some similarities between the two years. Some categories got bigger and some got smaller.”
Weak: 'some differences and some similarities' tells the examiner nothing specific, 'got bigger and smaller' is informal and vague, no categories are named.
✓ Band 7+
“Overall, housing remained the largest spending category in both years, though its share grew considerably. The most notable change was the sharp decline in food spending, which fell from the second-largest to the third-largest category by 2020.”
Strong: the dominant category is identified in both charts, the most significant change is named specifically (food's decline), the overview sets up the detail in the body paragraphs.
Vocabulary
Essential language for pie charts
Proportion language
Fraction/proportion expressions
Comparing two charts
Describing change between charts
Mistakes to avoid
Common pie chart errors
Going around the pie chart clockwise listing every segment
Group segments by size — large, medium, small. Then compare. Listing every segment in order reads as mechanical and shows no analytical skill.
Only describing one pie chart when two are given
When two charts are given, comparison is the entire point. Every major observation should compare the same segment across both charts.
Using vague fractions without figures
Pair fractions with exact data: 'nearly half (47%)' or 'just over a quarter (26%)'. Fractions alone or percentages alone are less effective than both together.
Trying to describe every single segment equally
Small segments that change little can be grouped: 'The remaining three categories each accounted for less than 10% in both years and showed minimal change.'
Examiner tip
When two pie charts are given, your overview should identify the segment that changed the most between them — and the segment that remained most stable. These two observations are usually the most analytically interesting and will impress the examiner.
FAQ
Common questions about pie charts
Should I convert percentages to fractions?
Using both is best: 'Housing accounted for nearly half of all expenditure (48%)'. Fractions add flow; percentages add precision. Use one or the other if you must — never neither.
What if only one pie chart is given?
One chart is simpler — focus on the largest segment, the smallest, any that are similar in size, and any surprising proportions. An overview stating the dominant and smallest categories is sufficient.
Do I need to add up percentages to check they total 100%?
You do not need to state that they total 100%, but make sure you are reading the chart accurately. If a segment is 35%, do not write 30%.
Can I describe pie chart segments in any order?
Yes — and you should order them by significance, not by position on the chart. Start with the largest, then the smallest, then compare the others.
Band 7.5 Model Answer
See a full annotated pie chart response with paragraph-by-paragraph examiner notes.
Other Task 1 chart types