Render Diagrams With Graphviz

Turn DOT descriptions into flowcharts, trees and network graphs.

LinuximagedocumentationconvertLow risk
Run dot -Tpng graph.dot -o graph.png to render a DOT file as a PNG.

01Command

Command
$ dot -Tpng graph.dot -o graph.png

02What it does

Graphviz lays out graphs automatically from a simple text language, so diagrams can live in version control and be regenerated. Different engines (dot, neato, circo) suit hierarchies, undirected graphs and circular layouts.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
Requirementssudo apt install graphviz
!Warning: Large graphs can produce cluttered output; splitting them or choosing the right engine improves readability.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • Graphviz
    Official project · vendor-doc · 2026-09-20
    Evidence: Debian packages Graphviz, the DOT-language diagram renderer.
  • Debian package: graphviz
    Debian · vendor-doc · 2026-09-20
    Evidence: Debian packages Graphviz, the DOT-language diagram renderer.

Last verified: 2026-09-22 · Category: Developer