Label usage should reflect the most important data insights in a chart. Axis labels should be used as needed, and in consistent ways across a UI. Their presence should not inhibit reading the chart.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A labeled axis, or multiple axes, indicates the scale and scope of the data displayed.
 - For example, line charts display a range of values along both horizontal and vertical labelled axes.

Labelled Axis or Multiple Axes 

Axis labels

Bar charts should start at a baseline (the starting value on the y-axis) of zero.
Starting at a baseline that isn’t zero can cause the data to be perceived incorrectly.

Bar Chart Baseline

Text labels should be placed horizontally on the chart so that they are easy to read.

Text labels should not:

- Be rotated
- Stacked vertically

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