Venn diagram examples and templates

5 handy Venn diagram examples

There’s a reason Venn diagrams have been a staple of business meetings and presentations for so long — Venn diagrams provide a clear, effective way to visually showcase relationships between datasets. They serve as a helpful visual aid in brainstorming sessions, strategic planning sessions, and presentations.

For instance, in strategic decision-making, a 2-circle Venn diagram can illuminate the intersections between different aspects of a business strategy, providing a holistic view for informed choices. By comparing two or more options and seeing how different they are and what points they have in common, a simple Venn diagram can facilitate the decision-making process.

Here are some of the most commonly-used types of these versatile diagrams, along with some handy Venn diagram examples and templates you can use right away.

2-circle Venn diagram

Although the 2-way Venn diagram is incredibly simple, it can clearly and visually show the differences and similarities between two distinct sets.

In a 2-circle Venn diagram, there are two overlapping circles (A and B) that have an intersection (AB). Below, you can see an example with Miro's 2-circle Venn diagram template:

3-circle Venn diagram

The 3-circle Venn diagram, also known as the 3-way Venn diagram, is perhaps the most commonly used and shows how the elements of three sets are related using three circles (A, B, and C).

There are three intersections between all combinations of the circles where they overlap (AB, BC, and CA). Where these three circles all intersect (ABC), we see a curved triangle known as a Reuleaux triangle.

Miro's free 3-circle Venn diagram template allows you to change colors and customize the Venn diagram as you need:

4-circle Venn diagram

Another commonly-used Venn diagram example that you may see in presentations and in illustrations is the 4-way Venn diagram. These are more complex as they combine four circles or sets of data (A, B, C, and D).

All four circles will intersect (ABCD) but there will be other areas of intersection that will allow you to see the similarities and differences between the different combinations of two or three of these sets or circles.

See the example below of Miro's 4-circle Venn diagram template to visualize how the circles come together:

5-circle Venn diagram

Expanding beyond the commonly encountered configurations, the 5-circle Venn diagram introduces an additional layer of complexity.

This diagram involves five circles (A, B, C, D, and E), showcasing a central intersection (ABCDE) along with multiple overlapping areas that allow for a nuanced analysis of the relationships between different sets.

To better understand, you can use Miro's 5-circle Venn diagram template and explore your ideas:

Euler diagram

In addition to Venn diagrams, another notable visual representation can be found in this Euler diagram template.

Euler diagrams use shapes and contours to illustrate relationships and interactions between sets. Unlike Venn diagrams, Euler diagrams do not necessarily show all possible intersections. Instead, they focus on representing specific relationships, making them a valuable tool in certain analytical contexts.

Other tools for decision-making

With their visual nature, it’s clear to see why Venn diagrams have such strong staying power. When it comes to strategic decision-making, they are a powerful asset to represent commonalities and differences between elements. While they are incredibly versatile, Venn diagrams are just one of many tools that support informed decision-making. Here are some of the other methods that can help you sort ideas and organize information:

Mind mapping: Throw all your ideas on a digital canvas, making it easy to see how everything connects. Add structure to your thinking by creating a mind map that visualizes connections and breaks down complex topics.

Decision matrix: The Eisenhower matrix — the grandmaster of decision-making — enables you to prioritize tasks and evaluate choices based on urgency and importance. While simple in construct, this matrix reduces cognitive load and helps you feel confident you’re spending time on the tasks that will drive the biggest impact.

Pros and Cons list: When it comes to jotting down thoughts, nothing beats a good pros and cons list. This simple decision-making method is great for brainstorming. Write it down, weigh it up, and make those choices like a pro.

Now, here's the secret sauce — combine these tools with trusty Venn diagrams. It's like having a superhero team for your ideas. Use Venn diagrams templates to show relationships, mind maps to spark creativity, and decision matrices to bring in the structure. Dive into this toolkit, and watch how it transforms the way you understand and tackle complex ideas.