Computer-implemented systems and methods for visually presenting spectrum usage of optical spectrum in an optical network include displaying a network map of the optical network comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links connecting the plurality of nodes to one another; responsive to obtaining spectrum data comprising channel assignments on the plurality of links and nodes as endpoints of the associated channel assignments, displaying a plurality of circular histograms to visually illustrate spectrum usage in the optical network; and adjusting the plurality of circular histograms based on selections of a plurality of endpoints in the optical network. The plurality of circular histograms visually represent the spectrum usage by representing the optical spectrum in the optical network around the associated circular histogram, and wherein each portion or segment of the plurality of circular histograms represents one of a wavelength and a portion of spectrum.