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NORM.DIST

The NORM.DIST function returns the cumulative distribution function value or probability density value for a given x, mean, and standard deviation.

This function estimates the probability that a random variable from a normal distribution will be less than or equal to a specified value.

Syntax​

NORM.DIST(x, mean, standard_deviation, cumulative)

ArgumentDescriptionPermitted values
xRandom value used for calculationsNumerical value or reference to a cell containing a number
meanArithmetic mean of the value set used to construct the distributionNumerical value or reference to a cell containing a number
standard_deviationStandard deviation of normal distributionNumerical value > 0 or a reference to a cell containing a number
cumulativeBoolean value that determines the function to be returned: normal cumulative distribution function (TRUE) or probability mass function (FALSE)TRUE or FALSE

Examples of use​

Suppose you have normally distributed data with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15.

To find out the probability that a random variable is less than or equal to 120, enter the formula:

=NORM.DIST(120, 100, 15, TRUE())

Result: approximately 0.908.

To find the probability that a random variable equals 120, you can use:

=NORM.DIST(120, 100, 15, FALSE())

Result: approximately 0.010.

Notes​

  • The NORM.DIST function is useful in statistical analysis, for example, to estimate probabilities within a normal distribution.
  • Make sure that the standard_deviation argument is greater than 0, otherwise the function will return the #NUM! error.