Applies ToExcel 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

The NORMDIST function returns the normal distribution for the specified mean and standard deviation. This function has a wide range of applications in statistics, including hypothesis testing.

Important: This function has been replaced along with other functions that may provide improved accuracy and whose names better reflect their purpose. This function remains available for backward compatibility but may not be available in future versions of Excel. Consider now using the newer functions. 

Learn about the new NORM.DIST function here.

Syntax

NORMDIST(x,mean,standard_dev,cumulative) 

The NORMDIST function syntax has the following arguments: 

  • X     Required. The value for which you want the distribution 

  • Mean     Required. The arithmetic mean of the distribution 

  • Standard_dev     Required. The standard deviation of the distribution 

  • Cumulative     Required. A logical value that determines the form of the function. If cumulative is TRUE, NORMDIST returns the cumulative distribution function; if cumulative is FALSE, it returns the probability mass function. 

Remarks

  • If mean or standard_dev is nonnumeric, NORMDIST returns the #VALUE! error value.

  • If standard_dev ≤ 0, NORMDIST returns the #NUM! error value.

  • If mean = 0, standard_dev = 1, and cumulative = TRUE, NORMDIST returns the standard normal distribution, NORMSDIST.

  • The equation for the normal density function (cumulative = FALSE) is:

    Equation

  • When cumulative = TRUE, the formula is the integral from negative infinity to x of the given formula.

Example

Copy the example Data in the following table and paste it into cell A2 through A4 of a new Excel worksheet. Copy the NORMDIST formula examples into any other cells. If you do not automatically see results, select formulas, press F2 and press Enter. Adjust column widths if needed for visibility. 

Data

Description

42

Value for which you want the distribution

40

Arithmetic mean of the distribution

1.5

Standard deviation of the distribution

Formula

Description

Result

=NORMDIST(A2,A3,A4,TRUE)

Cumulative distribution function for the terms above

0.9087888

=NORMDIST(A2,A3,A4,FALSE)

Probability mass function for the terms above

0.10934

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.