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CHIINV Function
Summary
The CHIINV function calculates the inverse of the right-tailed chi-squared probability distribution. It finds the critical value x where CHIDIST(x, degrees of freedom) equals the specified probability. Essential for hypothesis testing and statistical analysis.
Syntax
CHIINV(probability, deg_freedom)Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| probability | Number |
Yes | A probability value from 0 to 1 (exclusive) |
| deg_freedom | Integer |
Yes | Number of degrees of freedom (≥ 1) |
Using the CHIINV Function
CHIINV is primarily used in statistical analysis to determine critical values for chi-squared tests. It helps analysts find the threshold value needed to reject the null hypothesis at a specific significance level in goodness-of-fit tests, independence tests, and variance analysis.
Common CHIINV Examples
Critical Value for Hypothesis Test
=CHIINV(0.05, 10)Returns 18.307 - critical value for 5% significance with 10 degrees of freedom
Goodness-of-Fit Test
=CHIINV(0.95, 8)Returns 2.733 - lower critical value for 95% confidence with 8 degrees of freedom
Quality Control Analysis
=CHIINV(A1, B1)Dynamic calculation using cell values for probability and degrees of freedom
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Errors and Solutions
#NUM!
Cause: Probability < 0 or > 1, or deg_freedom < 1
Solution: Ensure probability between 0-1 and degrees of freedom ≥ 1
#VALUE!
Cause: Non-numeric input arguments
Solution: Verify both arguments are valid numbers
#N/A
Cause: Iterative algorithm failed to converge after 100 iterations
Solution: Check input values and use CHISQ.INV.RT instead
Notes
- CHIINV is deprecated - Microsoft recommends CHISQ.INV.RT for new workbooks
- Degrees of freedom are truncated to integers
- Uses iterative search technique
- Precision depends on CHIDIST function accuracy
Compatibility
Available in: Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2021, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, Excel 2007
Not available in: Excel 2003 and earlier, Future Excel versions may remove it
Content last reviewed: December 8, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Excel for the web, Excel 2024, Excel 2024 for Mac, Excel 2021, Excel 2021 for Mac, Excel 2019, Excel 2016