Free Cause and Effect Diagram Maker
Diagrams & FlowsMake a cause and effect diagram (fishbone or Ishikawa) online for free. Put the problem at the head, add up to six categories of causes, type the causes straight onto the diagram, and download a PNG — no signup.
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How to Use
- 1
State the effect
Click the head of the diagram and type the problem you are analysing, such as "Late deliveries" or "Complaints up 20%".
- 2
Pick a starting set of causes
Start from product defects (the classic 6Ms), a missed deadline, low sales, or service complaints; each comes with its own cause categories.
- 3
Add the causes
Click any category or cause on the diagram and type. Add or remove causes right on the fish, and use between 2 and 6 categories.
- 4
Make it readable
Pick one of five palettes, set your own accent and paper colors, and choose one of three canvas sizes. The outline of the fish is optional.
- 5
Download
Download a PNG for your report or root-cause meeting. SVG, HD, and video exports are Pro.
Why Choose GraphMake?
What You Can Create
Quality problems
Trace a defect back to its possible causes across methods, machines, materials, people, measurement, and environment.
Missed deadlines
Lay out everything that could have slowed a project, from planning to tools to communication.
Customer complaints
Group the causes behind a service problem so the team can decide what to check first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cause and effect diagram the same as a fishbone diagram?
Yes. Cause and effect diagram, fishbone diagram, and Ishikawa diagram are three names for the same chart: the problem at the head, and the possible causes branching off the spine in categories.
Which categories fit a service or sales problem?
Manufacturing teams use the 6Ms (methods, machines, materials, manpower, measurement, environment). For services, try staff, systems, policy, and training; for sales, product, price, promotion, and place. The starters here come with those sets.
Is this the same as a root cause analysis?
It is one step of one. The diagram collects every possible cause in one place; the next step is to check which causes actually happened, with data or the 5 Whys, before deciding on a fix.
How many categories can I use?
Between two and six. Each category keeps at least one cause, and there is no fixed limit on causes, though a few strong ones per category read best.
Is this cause and effect diagram maker free?
Yes. Make and download the diagram as a PNG for free, with no signup and no watermark. SVG, HD, and video exports are Pro.
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