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Confidence Interval Calculator Calculate confidence intervals from summary statistics or raw data with multiple confidence levels.

Confidence Interval Calculator illustration
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Confidence Interval Calculator

Calculate confidence intervals from summary statistics or raw data with multiple confidence levels.

1

Choose Input Type

Enter summary statistics or paste raw data values.

2

Select Confidence Level

Choose from 80% to 99.9% confidence.

3

View Confidence Interval

See the interval bounds, margin of error, and standard error.

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What Is Confidence Interval Calculator?

The Confidence Interval Calculator computes the range within which the true population mean is likely to fall, based on sample data. You can input summary statistics (mean, standard deviation, sample size) or paste raw data for automatic computation. The calculator supports multiple confidence levels and shows the complete calculation breakdown including standard error, margin of error, and z-score. Confidence intervals are fundamental to statistical inference — they quantify the uncertainty in sample-based estimates and are used in virtually every field of research.

Why Use Confidence Interval Calculator?

  • Accepts both summary statistics and raw data input
  • Multiple confidence levels from 80% to 99.9%
  • Shows complete calculation breakdown (SE, margin of error, z-score)
  • Essential for statistical inference and research reporting

Common Use Cases

Research Reporting

Report confidence intervals alongside point estimates in academic papers.

Quality Control

Establish confidence bounds for manufacturing process measurements.

Survey Analysis

Report survey results with appropriate confidence intervals.

Medical Studies

Calculate confidence intervals for treatment effect estimates.

Technical Guide

The confidence interval for a population mean is: CI = x̄ ± Z × (s/√n), where x̄ is the sample mean, s is the sample standard deviation, n is the sample size, and Z is the critical value for the desired confidence level. The standard error SE = s/√n measures the precision of the sample mean. The margin of error E = Z × SE. For raw data, the calculator computes s using the sample standard deviation formula: s = √(Σ(xᵢ-x̄)²/(n-1)). This uses the z-distribution; for small samples (n < 30), the t-distribution would be more appropriate, though the difference becomes negligible for larger samples.

Tips & Best Practices

  • 1
    Higher confidence levels produce wider intervals — there is a trade-off between confidence and precision
  • 2
    Increasing sample size narrows the confidence interval (proportional to √n)
  • 3
    A 95% CI means: if we repeated sampling many times, 95% of intervals would contain the true mean
  • 4
    Report both point estimates and confidence intervals for complete statistical communication

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q What does a 95% confidence interval mean?
It means if we repeated the sampling process many times, 95% of the calculated intervals would contain the true population parameter. It does NOT mean there is a 95% probability the true value is in this specific interval.
Q How do I make my confidence interval narrower?
Increase sample size (most effective), decrease confidence level (less certain but more precise), or reduce variability in measurements.
Q Should I use z or t distribution?
Use t-distribution for small samples (n < 30) when the population standard deviation is unknown. For larger samples, z and t give nearly identical results.
Q Can I calculate CI for proportions?
This calculator is for means. For proportions, the formula is different: p ± Z × √(p(1-p)/n). A dedicated proportion CI calculator would be more appropriate.
Q What is standard error?
Standard error (SE = s/√n) measures how precisely the sample mean estimates the population mean. It decreases as sample size increases.

About This Tool

Confidence Interval Calculator is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.