What symbols can I use to represent different levels of probability? [closed]

Question

I have an app where I need to show how likely an item is, e.g. "very likely", "quite likely", "not very likely". What kind of icons could I use to show this?

I don't need any pre-made icons, I would likely draw it myself to fit the app. I'm just having trouble trying to come up with a simple concept to represent probability...

Answer 1

Presumably, you have good reason for using a graphic code for this rather than words or numbers, (e.g., to facilitate easy scanning through a lot of data for certain levels of probability). Assuming your users (correctly) conceptualize probability as a quantitative proportion, here’s a few of thoughts:

Mini-pie chart, being a circle with some portion filled in to represent the probability.

• Quarter filled = very unlikely (but hardly impossible).

• Half filled = as likely as it is unlikely.

• Three-quarter filled = very likely (but hardly certain).

Mini bar graph with one rectangle filled to indicate the degree of probability. This is better than the pie chart when you’re showing actual probability values, not ordinal quanta like “very unlikely” – “about 50-50” – “very likely.”

Splatter frame, being a square with a scatter of dots, to suggest randomness more than a pie or bar.

• A few dots = very unlikely

• Half-filled with dots = as likely as it is unlikely.

• Three-quarter filled with dots (maybe some dots overlapping other dots) = very likely.

Shade coding, sort of the same idea as a spatter frame, but more suitable for small icons, especially icons that code other information (e.g., by their size or shape). Avoid three shades of gray –they may be hard to tell apart. Instead:

• White (maybe with one small black dot to suggest some uncertainty) = very unlikely

• Gray = as likely as it is unlikely

• Black (maybe with one small white dot) = very likely.

Crispness coding, where degree of blur implies low probability. This is good when you are trying to represent the uncertainty about another value (e.g., by the blurriness of a frame around the variable’s value, or by blurring the ends of a bar in a bar chart).

Color, which can be used redundantly with shade to maximize accessibility. This is good if there is an emotional valence associated with the probability values. Stick with simple population stereotypes when choosing colors (e.g., green, yellow, red).

For general principles on graphically coding variables see my post Putting the G into GUI.

Graphic codes are not necessarily self-documenting, so be prepared to provide some, perhaps as a legend or as redundant text for each value. This could be the actual probability value, if it is known, or ranked word phrases like you suggest. Both your graphic code and your word phrases may need some testing. The phrases you provide for example may have different meaning for different people and contexts. Is “quite likely” more likely than equally likely and unlikely, or just not particularly unlikely? Is “not very likely,” still likely, just not very likely? If so, is it more or less likely than “quite likely”?

Answer 2

Why not just use the percent sign (%) with titles like jensgram suggested? 50% 75% 100%

Answer 3

If your users are fairly technical/logical/mathematical inclined you could—instead of an icon—present the probability as a number, e.g.:

• (.9) with title="Very likely"
• (.6) with title="Quite likely"
• (.2) with title="Not very likely"

The values are just my take on the relative "distance" between "very likely", "quite likely" (more than 50%), and "not very likely". You should adjust those to fit your (user's) needs. If the values can actually be calculated that might prove even better (given that the numbers are still easily readable/understandable).

Alternative notations include P(.9) and P=.9.

Answer 4

Please be more specific.

You could, I suppose use a green dot for "very likely", a yellow dot for "quite likely" and maybe a red dot for "not likely". But that is not very descriptive, and fairly generic. We need more details please. What are you trying to symbolize?