---
{
  "schemaVersion": 1,
  "version": "1.2.0",
  "id": "E-SPARKLINES",
  "kind": "evidence",
  "title": "Tufte: sparkline theory and practice",
  "summary": "Author text on spatial adjacency, context, framing, and multiple sparklines.",
  "evidenceType": "practitioner",
  "citation": "Edward Tufte. Sparkline theory and practice. May 27, 2004; evolving author-hosted discussion.",
  "url": "https://www.edwardtufte.com/notebook/sparkline-theory-and-practice-edward-tufte/",
  "reviewed": "2026-09-13"
}
---

# Tufte: sparkline theory and practice

**Type:** practitioner. **Reviewed:** 2026-09-13.

## Source

Edward Tufte. Sparkline theory and practice. May 27, 2004; evolving author-hosted discussion.

[Original / authoritative source](https://www.edwardtufte.com/notebook/sparkline-theory-and-practice-edward-tufte/)

## Scope

Author text on spatial adjacency, context, framing, and multiple sparklines.

## Limitations

Supports putting trends near the things being described and questioning visually dominant framing. Historical screen-resolution remarks are not current device specifications. The pricing demonstration is our adaptation; the source did not test its expansion or action flow.