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PERCENTILE Function

Excel 2007+

Summary

The PERCENTILE function calculates the k-th percentile of a dataset, helping you identify threshold values within your data distribution. This legacy function uses inclusive interpolation methodology and remains available for backward compatibility.

Syntax

PERCENTILE(array,k)

Parameters

Parameter Type Required Description
array Range/Array Yes Data range defining the distribution to analyze
k Number Yes Percentile position as decimal (0 to 1)

Using the PERCENTILE Function

PERCENTILE helps establish data thresholds by returning interpolated values at specified percentile positions. Use it to find cutoff points like the 75th percentile for top quartile analysis or 25th percentile for bottom quartile identification.

Common PERCENTILE Examples

Find 75th Percentile (Top Quartile)

=PERCENTILE(A2:A100,0.75)

Returns the value below which 75% of data falls - ideal for identifying top performers

30th Percentile Threshold

=PERCENTILE(B2:B50,0.3)

Determines cutoff where 30% of values fall below - useful for acceptance criteria

Median Value (50th Percentile)

=PERCENTILE(SalesData,0.5)

Identical to MEDIAN function but using percentile methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft recommends PERCENTILE.INC (same behavior) or PERCENTILE.EXC for improved clarity and future compatibility.

k must be between 0 and 1 (non-inclusive). Values outside this range return #NUM! error.

Yes, when k doesn't align exactly with data positions, it interpolates between adjacent values.

Common Errors and Solutions

#NUM! Error

Cause: k value is less than 0 or greater than 1

Solution: Ensure k is a decimal between 0 and 1

#VALUE! Error

Cause: k argument is non-numeric

Solution: Use numeric value for percentile position

#VALUE! Error

Cause: array contains non-numeric values

Solution: Clean data or use array of numbers only

Notes

  • Legacy function - prefer PERCENTILE.INC for same behavior
  • Interpolates using (n-1) denominator methodology
  • Available since Excel 2007 for backward compatibility
  • Returns exact boundary values when k=0 or k=1

Compatibility

Available in: Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Microsoft 365

Not available in: Excel 2003 and earlier

Content last reviewed: December 9, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2007+