What is typically the role of the vertical axis in a chart or graph?

The vertical axis in a chart or graph is typically used to indicate the metric or value scale. This axis is crucial for understanding the quantitative data being presented, as it provides the scale against which the data points are measured. For example, if a graph is showing sales revenue over time, the vertical axis would represent the sales figures, allowing the viewer to assess the performance visually.

In graphs such as bar charts or line graphs, the vertical axis enables immediate comprehension of the magnitude of values, illustrating peaks, averages, and overall trends relative to the baseline. This understanding is essential for making informed decisions based on the visualized data.

Other roles played by elements of a chart, such as categorizing data points or displaying titles, do not pertain to the primary function of the vertical axis itself, which is focused on metric representation.