Comparing customer segments, visualising shared traits in data, and planning lessons can all be improved with the use of Venn diagrams. They’re an easy-to-understand and effective tool that help highlight similarities, differences, overlaps, and outliers across topics. This makes them useful for educators, marketers, and small business owners alike.

In this guide, you’ll learn what a Venn diagram is, when to use one, how to create your own, and how Adobe Express can help. We’ll also explore examples of Venn diagrams in real-world scenarios from classroom activities to visual business reports.

What is a Venn diagram?

A Venn diagram is a simple graphic that shows how different things relate to each other. It works by sorting data, or facts, concepts, social groups, academic theory and more, into circles that overlap in the middle. The overlapping sections of the circles highlight what the things being analysed have in common. The parts of the two circles that aren’t overlapping show where they are different. Venn diagrams are useful for making comparisons, simplifying complex relationships, and solving problems.

The concept was developed by John Venn, a logician and philosopher, in the 1880s, with his findings published in the journal Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science. Venn diagrams are often used in maths, logic and set theory, business, and education to compare or categorise ideas. They’re one of the most ubiquitous methods for visualising data used globally across business, education and industry.

Key features of a Venn diagram include:

• Circles. Each circle represents a data set, a group or a concept.
• Overlaps. The overlapping of the circles represents shared characteristics.
• Outer areas. The separated areas of the circles represent unique attributes.
• Labels. Text within the circles clarify what the graphic is showing.

How to create a Venn diagram.

Venn diagrams are useful for comparisons and classifications. Here’s a step-by-step process on how to create one:

Define your data sets.

Decide which two things you want to compare. Let’s use the example of a marketing team wanting to show the performance of a recent paid media campaign on a popular search engine ad platform.

They want to analyse the engagement metrics of their campaign to understand the gap between the number of people who clicked on their ad, and those who went further and visited their site. By understanding it they want to improve future ads.

Create your circles.

Draw overlapping circles for each group – typically using digital software tools, for example Adobe Express. Two or three circles are typical for Venn diagrams, but more can be added if needed. In the case of our example, we would have one circle for ‘clicked on ad’ and another circle for ‘visited website’.

Add the data.

In the overlapping sections, name any information that is shared between the data sets. Then add your unique data that doesn’t overlap between your data sets in the non-overlapping areas.

So, in our example, a label would be added to the sections of the circles that overlap to say, ‘500 users clicked on the ad and visited the website’. Then, additional labels would be added to the outer sections of each circle. One would say ‘1,500 users clicked on the ad’. The other would say, ‘800 users visited the website’.

Interpret the data.

Look for relationships, patterns, and gaps in your data. You can use these findings to support decisions, explain ideas, or teach new concepts. For extra clarity, you can colour-code or label your data.

In our example, is there anything to learn from the fact that 700 people clicked the ad but didn’t follow through to the website? Could the copy have been made more enticing, the CTA more compelling? Could you test another version of the ad to see if it moved the needle?

Venn diagram examples: when to use them.

Here are some real-world Venn diagram examples to show how they can be used across different fields – from classrooms to business strategy sessions.

Teaching and education.

Use simple Venn diagram examples to compare historical events, literary themes, or scientific concepts. This encourages critical thinking and visual learning in students.

Visualising report data.

Data visualisation can highlight patterns in audience behaviour and other information. A Venn diagram can summarise customer preferences, overlapping demographics, or shared KPIs in business reports.

Solving logistical problems.

Use Venn diagram examples with solutions to identify overlap in responsibilities, product features, or delivery routes in your logistics. Venn diagrams can also help to spot inefficiencies and assign tasks logically.

Understanding relationships between ideas.

Venn diagrams are great for brainstorming in business or academic contexts. By analysing the overlapping area of, for example, two theorists or philosophers you can identify parallels in their work. While the separate areas show elements that were specific to them only.

Organising information.

Use a Venn diagram in content planning, UX design, or digital strategy sessions to sort complex information into categories.

Free Venn diagram templates for quick use.

How can Adobe Express help you create useful Venn diagrams?

Adobe Express has easy-to-use design templates and tools that can help you to create and share your own custom Venn diagram, whether you're presenting data or comparing ideas.

1. Save time with free infographic templates.

Adobe Express has plenty of infographic templates, including for Venn diagrams, to suit various settings and styles – from formal business to informal lifestyle. Simply enter ‘Venn diagram’ in the search bar and browse the options. Filter by ‘free’ to find the ones you can get for free.

2. Edit and customise your template.

Edit and customise your chosen template right there in Adobe Express. Give the Venn diagram a title and subheading and add labels to show the shared and individual characteristics of the things you’re comparing. Find inspiration for data visualisation with these graph and chart examples.

3. Share your diagram with co-workers and students.

Once you’re happy with your customised Venn diagram, it’s time to put it in front of those who need to see it. You can download the file or share directly from Adobe Express. Sharing a live version makes collaboration and gaining feedback a breeze.

For certain types of diagram, you can create them from scratch directly in Adobe Express.

Showcase your Venn diagram insights with the AI presentation maker tool.

Use the AI Presentation Maker to turn your Venn diagram example into a dynamic, shareable presentation. Just describe your topic and purpose, and Adobe Express will generate a slide deck structure for you. Easily drag and drop your diagram into a slide, then customise it with colours, titles, and branded visuals. It’s great for students who need to explain a concept, marketers pitching an idea, or teams sharing strategic insights. Once it’s ready, you can present your Venn diagram live, export it as a PDF, or share the link with your collaborators or clients.

Try Adobe Express for free now

Good to know.

What are the 4 steps to using a Venn diagram?

There isn’t a technical 4-step process for creating Venn diagrams. But if you were to break it down in that way it would be something like: 1. Choose your things to compare – data, groups, concepts; 2. Draw circles for each thing, generally using digital software such as Adobe Express; 3. Label the circles overlapping and individual areas with relevant titles and data; 4. Analyse where there’s corelation and where there’s not to gain actionable insights.

Can you make a Venn diagram with 4 circles?

Yes, but it can negatively impact the clarity of your diagram. Traditionally, a Venn diagram has two circles that overlap in the middle. If you researched ‘examples of a Venn diagram’, this is what you would find.

You can also create a Venn diagram with three circles, or even four. But in these cases, there may, perhaps, be a clearer way to visualise that data.

What are the rules for Venn diagrams?

There are design and structural rules and convention that make a Venn diagram. For example, each circle must represent a clear set or group, i.e. cats, people with brown hair, Q3 sales figures, clicks through to a website. Where the two circles overlap must be where the two groups in the circles share characteristics.

The areas of the two circles not overlapping represent the distinct characteristics or attributes. And clear labelling must be used to show shared and distinct areas. If there are no shared characteristics then you have what’s known as mutually exclusive data, this would mean two circles sat apart from each other with no overlap.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features, including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 5 GB of storage. See our pricing page for details and to compare plans.