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CHIDIST Function
Summary
The CHIDIST function calculates the right-tailed probability of the chi-squared distribution, essential for χ² statistical tests comparing observed vs expected values in hypothesis testing scenarios.
Syntax
CHIDIST(x, deg_freedom)Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| x | Number |
Yes | The numeric value for χ² distribution evaluation |
| deg_freedom | Number |
Yes | Degrees of freedom parameter (truncated to integer) |
Using the CHIDIST Function
CHIDIST computes the probability that a χ² random variable exceeds a specified value, crucial for statistical significance testing in quality control, genetics, and scientific research.
Common CHIDIST Examples
Standard χ² Test
=CHIDIST(18.307, 10)Returns 0.0500006 - right-tailed probability for x=18.307 with 10 degrees of freedom (5% significance level)
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Errors and Solutions
#VALUE!
Cause: Non-numeric input arguments
Solution: Ensure both x and deg_freedom contain valid numbers
#NUM!
Cause: x < 0 or deg_freedom < 1 or > 10^10
Solution: Use x ≥ 0 and 1 ≤ deg_freedom ≤ 10^10
Notes
- Replaced by CHISQ.DIST.RT for better accuracy
- Any non-integer deg_freedom gets truncated
- Calculated as P(X > x) where X ~ χ²(df)
Compatibility
Available in: Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Excel 2021 for Mac, Excel 2024, Excel 2024 for Mac, Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Excel for the web
Not available in:
Content last reviewed: December 8, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Excel 2021 for Mac, Excel 2024, Excel 2024 for Mac, Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Excel for the web