The gauge chart in Looker Studio is a great way to track your most important KPIs. Similar to scorecards and bullet charts, it lets you display a metric against ranges and a target, so viewers can instantly see whether performance is on track.
👉 Use gauge charts when you want a quick, visual snapshot of progress towards a goal.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to:
- Build a gauge chart in Looker Studio step by step.
- Add ranges and a target.
- Customise the style for clarity.
- Compare gauge charts with scorecards and bullet charts.
Example: Average streams with ranges
Let’s use the same dataset as in the bullet chart example to keep things consistent.
Step 1: Choose your dimension and metric
- Dimension →
release_date(time period). - Metric → average
streams (millions).
👉 Visit the post on how to add charts to your report in Looker Studio, if you need a refresher.
Step 2: Rename your metric
You can rename a metric directly in the setup screen:
- Look under the metric where it says Name.
- Type the new label. For example, Average streams (millions).
- Below the name, you’ll still see which metric is being used. In this case, streams (millions).
👉 Renaming makes your charts clearer, especially for audiences unfamiliar with raw field names.
Now, the set-up will show the new name of the metric, Average Streams (millions).
Step 3: Adjust the axis maximum
By default, the axis maximum might be too low. For example, you may see 5 as the max, even though your metric averages higher than that.
To fix this:
- Go to the Style panel.
- Find Axis Max.
- Change it from 5 to 45.
👉 Always set an appropriate maximum so your gauge doesn’t look misleading.
Customising the Gauge chart in Looker Studio:
Now let’s add ranges, a target, and colours.
Step 1: Add ranges
- In Style, scroll to Ranges.
- By default, you’ll see 4 ranges. Remove the last one (click the close button).
- Enter values: 15, 30, 45.
👉 These ranges make it easy to see whether your KPI falls into a low, medium, or high band.
Step 2: Add a target
- Check the box to Show Target.
- Enter 35.
👉 The target line helps your audience immediately see whether performance is below, at, or above expectations.
Step 3: Style your chart
- Change the bar colour to orange.
- Set the range colour to light grey.
👉 Colours matter. Keep them consistent across your dashboard so users instantly know what each colour represents.
Key takeaways
- A gauge chart in Looker Studio is perfect for showing KPI progress against ranges and a target.
- Rename metrics to make them audience-friendly.
- Always set the axis maximum high enough to capture your values.
- Use ranges and targets to make performance easier to interpret.
- Style with consistent colours for clarity.
FAQs – Gauge chart in Looker Studio
-
What is a gauge chart in Looker Studio?
It’s a chart type that displays a KPI against defined ranges and an optional target.
-
When should I use a gauge chart?
Use it when you need a quick snapshot of progress towards a goal (like sales, revenue, or traffic targets).
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How do I add ranges to a gauge chart?
In the Style panel, edit the ranges. By default there are 4; you can add, remove, or adjust as needed.
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Can I add a target to a gauge chart?
Yes. Tick the Show Target box in Style and enter the target value.
Conclusion
The gauge chart in Looker Studio is a simple yet powerful way to show progress at a glance. With ranges, a target, and custom colours, you can transform a single number into a clear story about performance.
👉 Whether you prefer scorecards, bullet charts, or gauges will depend on your reporting style. Try all three and see which one resonates most with your audience.
