Stem and Leaf Plot Generator
Turn a list of numbers into a readable stem-and-leaf plot. Build a classic plot, split the stems, or compare two data sets back to back. Decimal and negative values are supported, with a clear key explaining how to read the result.
Your Stem-and-Leaf Plot
Enter your values, or choose an example. No result is calculated until you select the calculation button.
What Is a Stem-and-Leaf Plot?
A stem-and-leaf plot organizes numbers by place value while keeping the individual observations visible. The stem represents the leading digits, and each leaf represents the final digit at the selected scale. The result shows the shape of a distribution without losing the original values when no rounding or truncation is used.
How to Make a Stem-and-Leaf Plot
Sort the values, separate each one into a stem and leaf, and place its leaf beside the matching stem. Arrange leaves in numerical order and provide a key so readers can reconstruct the original numbers.
How to Read a Stem-and-Leaf Plot
For example, if the leaf unit is 1, the entry 3 | 7 means 37. If the leaf unit is 0.1, the entry 3 | 7 means 3.7. Always read the key before interpreting the plot.
Split Stem-and-Leaf Plots
A split stem uses more than one row for the same leading digits. One common choice puts leaves 0–4 on the first row and 5–9 on the second. Splitting helps reveal the shape of a distribution when too many observations crowd onto a small number of stems.
The five-line option uses 0–1, 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, and 8–9. Each row is labeled with its leaf interval.
Back-to-Back Stem-and-Leaf Plots
A back-to-back plot compares two data sets using a shared stem column. Leaves for one group extend left and leaves for the other extend right. A common scale allows the centers, spread and overall shapes of the groups to be compared.
Stem-and-Leaf Plots with Decimals and Negative Numbers
Decimal values require a clearly stated leaf unit. Negative observations also need a consistent stem convention so their signs and order remain unambiguous. The plot key explains how each displayed entry maps back to its original number.
The sign on a stem applies to the entire magnitude: at leaf unit 1, -1 | 2 means −12 and -0 | 5 means −5. The positive stem 0 | 5 means +5. At unit 0.1, -0 | 5 means −0.5. Negative leaves are ordered by their reconstructed numerical values.
Stem-and-Leaf Plot vs. Histogram
Both displays help show the distribution of numerical data. A stem-and-leaf plot preserves individual observations at the displayed precision, while a histogram groups observations into intervals. Histograms are often easier to read for very large data sets.
A frequency table counts observations without a place-value display.
Precision and Plot Limits
Each data set supports up to 10,000 observations. Exact mode rejects a leaf unit that cannot represent an observation, rather than silently discarding digits. Optional rounding is to the nearest unit, with halves away from zero; summaries always use original data.
Auto chooses a readable exact scale when available. When the span exceeds 120 stems, an explicitly labeled compact plot omits empty stems, not observations. Long rows remain inside a scrollable plot. No quartile method is implied because quartiles are not reported.
Worked Stem-and-Leaf Examples
These examples use illustrative data, not your current inputs.
Example 1: Standard Plot
Consider the data 12, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 48. With leaf unit 1, the stems are 1, 2, 3 and 4. Stem 1 has leaves 2, 5, 7; stem 2 has leaves 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9; stem 3 is empty; and stem 4 has leaf 8.
Example 2: Split Stems
For the values 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29, splitting stem 2 into two rows places leaves 1–4 on the first row and leaves 5–9 on the second row. This makes the distribution easier to inspect.
Example 3: Decimal Values
With a leaf unit of 0.1, the values 4.2, 4.5 and 4.8 can be represented under stem 4 with leaves 2, 5 and 8. The key 4 | 2 = 4.2 prevents confusion about the scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a stem-and-leaf plot generator?
It turns numerical observations into a stem-and-leaf display, separating each value into a stem and leaf so the individual values and distribution shape can be examined together.
How do I read a stem-and-leaf plot?
Combine the stem and leaf using the displayed key. For example, with leaf unit 1, the entry 5 | 3 represents 53.
What is a split stem-and-leaf plot?
It uses multiple rows for each stem, commonly dividing leaves into 0–4 and 5–9. This spreads out crowded rows.
What is a back-to-back stem-and-leaf plot?
It displays two data sets on opposite sides of a shared stem column, allowing their distributions to be compared using the same scale.
Can a stem-and-leaf plot include decimals?
Yes. The leaf unit determines decimal place value. A key is essential so the reader knows how to reconstruct each value.
Can I use negative numbers?
Yes. The generator uses a documented signed-stem convention so negative and positive values remain distinguishable.
Does the plot preserve duplicate values?
Yes. Each observation appears as a leaf, so repeated values appear multiple times unless a deliberate display reduction is explicitly selected.
When should I use a histogram instead?
A histogram is often better when the data set is very large or contains too many distinct values for a readable stem-and-leaf display.
Sources and Methodology
A decimal BigInt lattice separates signed magnitudes into stems and unit digits. Negative-zero stems distinguish values between −10 units and zero. All duplicates are retained. Exact precision is the default; any explicitly enabled rounding is counted and disclosed. Original observations feed the unchanged shared descriptive-summary engine.
Reviewed: October 2026. Calculations run in your browser. No signup, upload, or server-side data processing is required. Read our methodology.