What tools can I use to create infographics for free?

The best free infographic tools in 2026: (1) Canva (free plan) — the most popular option with hundreds of infographic templates, drag-and-drop editing, and chart/graph widgets. Free plan includes 250,000+ templates and downloads as PNG or PDF. (2) Piktochart (free plan) — purpose-built for infographics with better data visualization tools than Canva. Free plan includes 5 active projects. (3) Visme (free plan) — strong data visualization with animated infographic options. Free plan includes 5 projects. (4) Google Slides — not purpose-built, but you can create infographics using a tall custom page size (8.5" x 24") and export as PDF/PNG. Free and familiar. (5) Figma (free plan) — the most design control, but requires more skill. Best for designers who want pixel-perfect results.

Do infographics still work for SEO and link building?

Yes, but differently than in 2015. Infographics still earn backlinks because they're easy to embed and share — bloggers prefer linking to a visual resource over a text article. However, the bar for quality is higher. A generic '10 Stats About Marketing' infographic won't get links. An original data visualization with unique statistics or a novel angle will. For SEO: always publish the infographic on a page with 300+ words of supporting text (Google can't read images well). Include alt text describing the infographic content. Add an embed code below the infographic so others can easily share it (with a backlink to your site). Infographics that perform best for link building: original research/survey data, industry statistics compiled from multiple sources, and step-by-step process visualizations.

Design

How to Create an Infographic (Free Tools + Templates)

Q: How long should an infographic be?

The standard infographic size is 800-1200px wide and 2000-5000px tall. Width should never exceed 1200px (readability on most screens). Length depends on content: Short infographic (2000-3000px): 5-8 data points, best for social sharing and quick consumption. Standard infographic (3000-5000px): 10-15 data points, the most common format for blog content and link building. Long infographic (5000-8000px): 15-25 data points, works for comprehensive data stories but risks losing readers who don't scroll. The golden rule: every section should earn its place. If a data point doesn't add to the story, cut it. Shorter infographics with strong data outperform longer ones with filler every time.

Q: What makes a good infographic?

Five elements: (1) A clear story — every infographic should answer one question or tell one story. 'How email marketing ROI compares across industries' is a story. 'Random email marketing facts' is not. (2) Hierarchy — the most important data should be the most visually prominent. Use size, color, and position to guide the reader's eye from most important to least. (3) Minimal text — if your infographic has paragraphs of text, it's a blog post with pictures, not an infographic. Data, numbers, and short labels. (4) Consistent design — one color palette (3-5 colors), one or two fonts, consistent icon style. Inconsistency looks amateur. (5) Source citations — always cite data sources at the bottom. This builds credibility and makes the infographic more shareable because readers can verify the data.

Updated March 27, 2026 · 14 min read

Infographics turn boring data into shareable visuals that earn backlinks, social shares, and traffic. You don't need Photoshop or a design degree — free tools like Canva and Piktochart have templates that make anyone look like a designer. Here's the complete process.

Step 1: Define Your Story

1One Infographic = One Story

Before opening any tool, answer: What single question does this infographic answer?

"How does email marketing ROI compare across industries?" — that's a story
"Random email marketing facts" — that's a list, not a story

Good infographic stories follow a pattern: setup (the problem or question) → data (evidence and numbers) → conclusion (the takeaway or action). Every section should serve the story. If a data point doesn't advance the narrative, cut it.

Step 2: Gather Your Data

2Find Credible Sources

The best infographics are built on solid data. Where to find it:

Industry reports: HubSpot, Statista, Pew Research, government databases (data.gov, census.gov)
Original research: Run a survey using Google Forms or Typeform. Original data gets the most backlinks because nobody else has it.
Compile from multiple sources: Aggregate statistics from 5–10 different reports into one visual. The curation itself adds value.
Your own analytics: Case studies from your business or client results. Real performance data is compelling.

Always track your sources. You'll cite them at the bottom of the infographic for credibility.

Step 3: Create the Outline

3Structure Before Design

Sketch the infographic flow before touching any design tool:

Title/header: Clear, benefit-driven headline. "The State of Email Marketing in 2026" or "How Top Freelancers Price Their Services."
Introduction: 1–2 sentences setting up the question. Keep text minimal.
3–8 data sections: Each section makes one point with one visualization (chart, number, icon + stat). Order from most impactful to least.
Conclusion/CTA: Key takeaway + what to do next (visit your site, download a resource, share the infographic).
Sources: List data sources in small text at the bottom.

Step 4: Choose Your Tool

Canva (Recommended)

Free plan • 250K+ templates • Web + mobile

The easiest option. Search "infographic" in templates, pick one that matches your style, and replace the placeholder content with your data. Drag-and-drop charts, icons, and text blocks. Export as PNG (free) or PDF. The free plan is generous enough for most use cases.

Best for: Beginners and anyone who wants professional results in under an hour.

Piktochart

Free for 5 projects • Data visualization focus • Web-based

Purpose-built for infographics with better chart and data visualization tools than Canva. Upload a CSV and Piktochart generates bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, and maps automatically. The templates are specifically designed for infographic layouts (not just general graphic design).

Best for: Data-heavy infographics with charts and graphs.

Figma

Free for 3 projects • Full design control • Web-based

The most control but the steepest learning curve. Use Figma when you want pixel-perfect custom designs that don't look template-based. Community templates are available for free. Best for designers comfortable with design tools who want unique results.

Best for: Designers who want maximum creative control and custom layouts.

Share Your Infographic

Social Media Content Calendar 2.0

Infographics need distribution. Plan your sharing schedule across Pinterest, Twitter, and more with themed content blocks.

Get the Calendar — $15

Step 5: Design It

5Design Principles for Non-Designers

Size: 800–1200px wide, 2000–5000px tall. Standard is 1000x3000px.
Color palette: 3–5 colors maximum. Use your brand colors or pick a palette from coolors.co. One accent color for emphasis.
Typography: Maximum 2 fonts — one for headings (bold/display), one for body (clean/readable). Never use more than 2.
Visual hierarchy: The most important data points should be the largest and most colorful. Use size, color, and position to guide the eye top-to-bottom.
White space: Don't fill every pixel. Generous spacing between sections makes the infographic feel professional, not crowded.
Icons: Use consistent icon styles. Check our icon libraries guide for free options. Don't mix flat icons with 3D icons.

Common mistakes: Too much text (it's an infographic, not a blog post). Inconsistent styles (mixing icon sets, too many colors). Missing source citations. Low-resolution images.

Step 6: Distribute & Promote

6Get Your Infographic Seen

Blog post: Publish the infographic on your site with 300+ words of supporting text for SEO. Include alt text describing the content.
Embed code: Add a copy-paste embed code below the infographic so other sites can share it (with a backlink to you).
Pinterest: Infographics are Pinterest's highest-performing content type. Pin the full infographic and individual sections as separate pins. See our Pinterest strategy guide.
Social media: Share key sections as individual images on Twitter and Instagram. Link to the full infographic on your site.
Outreach: Email bloggers who've written about your topic: "I created an infographic on [topic] that your readers might find useful." Use Cold Email Playbook templates for outreach.
Compress before uploading: Large infographic files slow your site. Use ToolKit.dev's Image Compressor to reduce file size without losing quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What free tools make infographics?

Canva (easiest, 250K+ templates), Piktochart (best for data viz), Visme (animated options), Google Slides (familiar, custom page sizes), and Figma (most design control). All have free tiers.

How long should an infographic be?

800–1200px wide, 2000–5000px tall. Standard is 1000x3000px. Length depends on data: 5–8 data points for short, 10–15 for standard. Every section must earn its place — cut filler.

Do infographics still work for SEO?

Yes, but quality bar is higher. Original data and unique angles earn links. Always publish with 300+ words of supporting text, alt tags, and an embed code for easy sharing with backlinks.

What makes a good infographic?

Five things: clear story (one question answered), visual hierarchy (important data = biggest), minimal text, consistent design (3–5 colors, 2 fonts), and cited sources for credibility.