PERCENTILE

Statistical Functions

(4.8/5)

Returns the k-th percentile of values in a range. PERCENTILE finds the value below which a given percentage of observations fall. k must be between 0 and 1. PERCENTILE uses the inclusive method (same as PERCENTILE.INC). Essential for percentile analysis, quartile calculations, statistical analysis, and understanding data distribution.

Interactive Formula Tester

Values,k:

Formula:

=PERCENTILE("10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 0.5")

Complete Theory & Understanding

Master the fundamentals of Excel PERCENTILE function

Core Concept

The PERCENTILE function returns the k-th percentile of values in a range. A percentile is the value below which a given percentage of observations fall. k must be between 0 and 1 (0.25 = 25th percentile, 0.5 = 50th percentile/median, 0.9 = 90th percentile). PERCENTILE uses the inclusive method and is equivalent to PERCENTILE.INC. It can return the minimum (k=0) and maximum (k=1) values. When k doesn't correspond to an exact data point, PERCENTILE interpolates between adjacent values. Essential for percentile analysis, quartile calculations (using 0.25, 0.5, 0.75), statistical analysis, and understanding data distribution.

Why Use PERCENTILE?

Find percentile values
Calculate quartiles (25th, 50th, 75th)
Percentiles in statistics
Understand data distribution

Key Characteristics

k Range 0-1

k must be between 0 and 1

0.5 = 50th percentile (median)

Inclusive Method

Includes endpoints

Can return min (k=0) and max (k=1)

Interpolation

Interpolates between values

PERCENTILE interpolates when needed

Equals PERCENTILE.INC

PERCENTILE = PERCENTILE.INC

Both use inclusive method

Function Anatomy

=PERCENTILE(parameters...)

Required

Parameters:

Function-specific parameters

Returns

Return Value:

Function-specific return type

Primary Use Cases

Percentile Analysis

Find percentile values

Quartile Calculation

Calculate quartiles (25th, 50th, 75th)

Statistical Analysis

Percentiles in statistics

Data Distribution

Understand data distribution

Theory Summary

Precise

Exact matching required

Position-Based

Returns numeric position

Error-Safe

Handles missing text gracefully

Syntax & Parameters

=PERCENTILE(array, k)

Required

array:

Array or range of data values.

Required

The percentile value between 0 and 1 (0 = 0th percentile, 0.5 = 50th percentile/median, 1 = 100th percentile).

Returns

Return Value:

The k-th percentile value

Description: Returns the k-th percentile of values in a range

Interactive Examples

Basic PERCENTILE (Median)

Find 50th percentile (median)

Input Text:

"A1:A10, 0.5"

Formula:

=PERCENTILE(A1:A10, 0.5)

Result:

Median value

Returns the median (50th percentile). PERCENTILE(range, 0.5) equals MEDIAN(range).

VBA Implementation & Automation

Basic PERCENTILE in VBA

Use PERCENTILE function in VBA

' Basic PERCENTILE in VBA
Range("C1").Value = Application.WorksheetFunction.Percentile(Range("A1:A10"), 0.5)
' Returns: 50th percentile (median)

' Calculate percentile
Sub CalculatePercentile()
    Dim percentileValue As Double
    Dim k As Double
    k = 0.75 ' 75th percentile
    percentileValue = Application.WorksheetFunction.Percentile(Range("A1:A10"), k)
    Range("B1").Value = percentileValue
End Sub

' Calculate multiple percentiles
Sub CalculateMultiplePercentiles()
    Dim p25 As Double
    Dim p50 As Double
    Dim p75 As Double
    Dim p90 As Double
    
    p25 = Application.WorksheetFunction.Percentile(Range("A1:A10"), 0.25)
    p50 = Application.WorksheetFunction.Percentile(Range("A1:A10"), 0.5)
    p75 = Application.WorksheetFunction.Percentile(Range("A1:A10"), 0.75)
    p90 = Application.WorksheetFunction.Percentile(Range("A1:A10"), 0.9)
    
    Range("B1").Value = "25th: " & p25
    Range("B2").Value = "50th: " & p50
    Range("B3").Value = "75th: " & p75
    Range("B4").Value = "90th: " & p90
End Sub

' Compare PERCENTILE with MEDIAN
Sub ComparePercentileMedian()
    Dim percentileValue As Double
    Dim medianValue As Double
    percentileValue = Application.WorksheetFunction.Percentile(Range("A1:A10"), 0.5)
    medianValue = Application.WorksheetFunction.Median(Range("A1:A10"))
    Range("B1").Value = "PERCENTILE(0.5): " & percentileValue
    Range("B2").Value = "MEDIAN: " & medianValue
    ' Should be equal
End Sub

' Calculate quartiles using PERCENTILE
Sub CalculateQuartiles()
    Dim q1 As Double
    Dim q2 As Double
    Dim q3 As Double
    
    q1 = Application.WorksheetFunction.Percentile(Range("A1:A10"), 0.25)
    q2 = Application.WorksheetFunction.Percentile(Range("A1:A10"), 0.5)
    q3 = Application.WorksheetFunction.Percentile(Range("A1:A10"), 0.75)
    
    Range("B1").Value = "Q1 (25th): " & q1
    Range("B2").Value = "Q2 (50th): " & q2
    Range("B3").Value = "Q3 (75th): " & q3
End Sub

Business Applications

Percentile Analysis

Find percentile values

=PERCENTILE(data_range, 0.9)

Quartile Calculation

Calculate quartiles (25th, 50th, 75th)

=PERCENTILE(range, {0.25, 0.5, 0.75})

Statistical Analysis

Percentiles in statistical analysis

=PERCENTILE(sample_data, 0.95)

Data Distribution

Understand data distribution

=PERCENTILE(values, k)

Common Issues & Solutions

#NUM! Error

PERCENTILE returns #NUM!

k must be 0 ≤ k ≤ 1 (decimal form)

Solution: k must be between 0 and 1. If k < 0 or k > 1, PERCENTILE returns #NUM!. Use decimal: 0.9 for 90th percentile, not 90.

Wrong Percentile

Getting unexpected value

Use decimal: 0.9 for 90th percentile, not 90

Solution: Check k value. k=0.25 is 25th percentile, k=0.5 is 50th percentile (median), k=0.9 is 90th percentile. Remember k is decimal (0-1), not percentage (0-100).

PERCENTILE vs PERCENTILE.EXC

Uncertainty about difference

PERCENTILE includes endpoints, PERCENTILE.EXC excludes

Solution: PERCENTILE (and PERCENTILE.INC) uses inclusive method - can return min (k=0) and max (k=1). PERCENTILE.EXC uses exclusive method - cannot return min or max, requires 0 < k < 1.

Interpolation

PERCENTILE returns non-data value

PERCENTILE interpolates between values

Solution: This is expected. When k doesn't correspond to exact data point, PERCENTILE interpolates between adjacent values. This provides smooth percentile estimates.