The combo chart in Looker Studio is one of my favourite visualisations when I want to show two different metrics for the same category clearly, in one place. Instead of creating two separate charts, a combo chart combines them so your audience can see volume and performance side by side.
In this post, I’ll show you:
- How to build a combo chart step by step
- Why one metric sometimes “disappears” (and how to fix it)
- The key customisation options you should know
- A real example using the Top Movies of 2019 dataset
By the end, you’ll be able to use combo charts confidently in your own reports and dashboards.
What is a combo chart in Looker Studio?
A combo chart blends different chart types (usually bars and lines) into one visualisation. It’s especially useful when your metrics don’t share the same scale.
Think about comparing:
- Revenue (bar) vs Record Count (line)
- Website sessions (bar) vs Conversion rate (line)
- Ad spend (bar) vs Return on investment (line)
👉 Combo charts also support dual axes, making it possible to show two very different magnitudes (like revenue and count) without one overshadowing the other.
Example: Top Movies of 2019
We’ll continue with the Top Movies of 2019 dataset. In the bar and column chart tutorial, we explored revenue by genre. This time, we’ll add an extra layer: showing how many movies per genre also appeared among the top revenue-generating films.
This way, we’re not just seeing impact (revenue) but also volume (record count), which makes the story much richer.
How to create a combo chart in Looker Studio
- Insert a combo chart
- You can start from a bar or column chart and change it later in Style, but adding a combo chart directly is faster.
👉 Visit the post on how to add charts to your report in Looker Studio, if you need a refresher.
- Set the Dimension
- Select Top Genre 1.
- Add the Metrics
- Metric 1: Revenue
- Metric 2: Record Count
- Sort by Revenue
- In the Sort panel, choose Revenue → Descending so the highest-earning genres appear first.
At this point, you’ll notice something strange: Record Count isn’t showing clearly. That’s because both metrics are plotted on the same axis, and revenue completely overshadows count. Let’s fix that.
Customising your combo chart in Looker Studio
Adding dual axes
- Go to the Style panel.
- Under Series, locate each metric (Series 1, Series 2).
- Assign Revenue to the Right Axis.
- Keep Record Count on the Left Axis.
Now both metrics are visible, each scaled to its own axis.
Other customisation options
- Chart type per series: For example, display Revenue as a bar and Record Count as a line.
- Colours: Pick contrasting but consistent colours to make the data stand out.
- Labels and legends: Always label your axes (e.g., “Revenue ($)” vs “Number of movies”).
When to use combo charts
Combo charts are particularly effective when you want to:
- Compare totals vs counts (e.g., revenue vs number of items).
- Show different scales in one visual.
- Combine performance and volume in the same category.
If both metrics are similar in scale, a simple bar or line chart will often be clearer.
Key takeaways
- The combo chart in Looker Studio combines two metrics into one clear view.
- You can start from a bar/column chart, but using the combo chart option is quicker.
- In our example, we used Top Genre 1 with Revenue and Record Count, sorted by revenue.
- If a metric disappears, move it to the Right Axis in the Style panel.
- Use contrasting chart types (bar + line) for better storytelling.
👉 With just a few tweaks, a combo chart can help you show more context, save space, and make your reports far more insightful.
FAQ: Combo chart in Looker Studio
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Why can’t I see my second metric?
Both are plotted on the same axis. Assign one to the Right Axis to make it visible.
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Can I mix bars and lines in a combo chart?
Yes. You can assign one metric as a bar and another as a line for clarity.
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Do I need to sort by revenue?
Not necessarily, but sorting by your main metric (like revenue) makes comparisons clearer.
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Which charts can I turn into a combo chart?
You can start from a bar or column chart, but it’s simpler to add a combo chart directly.
Conclusion
A combo chart in Looker Studio is a flexible way to compare two distinct metrics for the same category in one chart. In our movie dataset, we combined Revenue and Record Count by genre, giving us both financial impact and film volume in a single view.
By adding dual axes and adjusting your series styles, you can make sure both metrics are visible and easy to interpret. Combo charts are one of the most effective tools in Looker Studio when you want to present multi-metric insights without cluttering your report.
