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Z-Score Calculator Calculate Z-scores and percentiles, or find values from Z-scores using the standard normal distribution.

Z-Score Calculator illustration
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Z-Score Calculator

Calculate Z-scores and percentiles, or find values from Z-scores using the standard normal distribution.

1

Choose Mode

Calculate Z-score from a value, or find a value from a Z-score.

2

Enter Parameters

Input the value (or Z-score), mean, and standard deviation.

3

View Results

See Z-score, percentile, and left/right tail probabilities.

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What Is Z-Score Calculator?

The Z-Score Calculator works with the standard normal distribution to convert between raw values and standardized scores. A Z-score tells you how many standard deviations a value is from the mean. In one mode, enter a value with its distribution's mean and standard deviation to find the Z-score and percentile. In the other mode, enter a Z-score to find the corresponding value and probabilities. The calculator shows cumulative probabilities for both tails — P(X < x) and P(X > x) — which are essential for hypothesis testing, quality control, and understanding data distributions.

Why Use Z-Score Calculator?

  • Bidirectional: value → Z-score or Z-score → value
  • Shows percentile rank and cumulative probabilities
  • Built-in standard normal CDF approximation
  • Essential for statistics, quality control, and data analysis

Common Use Cases

Standardized Testing

Convert test scores to Z-scores for comparison across different tests.

Quality Control

Determine how many standard deviations a measurement is from specification.

Statistics Coursework

Solve Z-score problems for statistics classes.

Data Analysis

Identify outliers and understand data distribution.

Technical Guide

The Z-score formula is: Z = (X - μ) / σ, where X is the value, μ is the population mean, and σ is the standard deviation. The inverse is: X = Z × σ + μ. The cumulative probability P(Z ≤ z) is computed using the Abramowitz and Stegun approximation of the error function, which is accurate to 7 decimal places. The percentile rank equals P(Z ≤ z) × 100. In a standard normal distribution (μ=0, σ=1): ~68% of data falls within ±1σ, ~95% within ±2σ, and ~99.7% within ±3σ (the empirical rule).

Tips & Best Practices

  • 1
    Z = 0 means the value equals the mean; Z > 0 means above the mean; Z < 0 means below the mean
  • 2
    About 68% of values fall between Z = -1 and Z = +1 (68-95-99.7 rule)
  • 3
    Z-scores above 3 or below -3 are typically considered outliers
  • 4
    Z-scores allow comparison between different distributions with different scales

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q What is a Z-score?
A Z-score indicates how many standard deviations a data point is from the mean. Z = 1.5 means the value is 1.5 standard deviations above the mean.
Q What is the 68-95-99.7 rule?
In a normal distribution: ~68% of data falls within ±1 standard deviation, ~95% within ±2, and ~99.7% within ±3 standard deviations of the mean.
Q How do I interpret percentiles?
The 85th percentile means 85% of values fall below this point. A Z-score of 1.04 corresponds to approximately the 85th percentile.
Q Can Z-scores be negative?
Yes, negative Z-scores indicate values below the mean. Z = -2 means the value is 2 standard deviations below the mean.
Q What Z-score corresponds to the 95th percentile?
The 95th percentile corresponds to Z ≈ 1.645 (one-tailed) or Z ≈ 1.960 (two-tailed, which gives 95% in the middle).

About This Tool

Z-Score 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.