In this article
CHIDIST returns the right-tailed chi-square probability. It is a compatibility function: Excel keeps it so workbooks from Excel 2007 and earlier still calculate, but Microsoft recommends CHISQ.DIST.RT for new work. Both give the same result.
Advertisement
Syntax
=CHIDIST(x, deg_freedom)| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
x |
Statistic |
deg_freedom |
df |
Examples
Example 1
=ROUND(CHIDIST(A2,B2),4)Result: 0.05. See the worked example table below for more cases.
💡 For new workbooks use CHISQ.DIST.RT: it gives the same answer and is the name Microsoft keeps documenting.
CHIDIST in practice
Where you will use it
- Opening and checking older workbooks that use CHIDIST
- Understanding formulas shared by colleagues on older Excel versions
- Knowing when to swap in CHISQ.DIST.RT for clarity
Worked example
| x | df | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.84 | 1 | =ROUND(CHIDIST(A2,B2),4) | 0.05 |
| 7.81 | 3 | =ROUND(CHIDIST(A3,B3),4) | 0.0501 |
| 2 | 4 | =ROUND(CHIDIST(A4,B4),4) | 0.7358 |
Results calculated in Excel. Same result as CHISQ.DIST.RT.
Mistakes people make
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Using CHIDIST in new files | Prefer CHISQ.DIST.RT: same result, clearer name, and the function Microsoft keeps improving |
| Mixing old and new names in one model | Pick one style per workbook so formulas are easy to audit |
Related functions
📚 Part of the free Excel course: Beginner → Expert · Try it in the Formula Lab or ask the AI Helper.
✨ Ask AI about this article
Stuck on a step? Ask a question and the AI answers using this article.
Free · AI can be wrong