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Covariance calculator

Paste paired X and Y values and choose whether they form a sample or the complete population.

Covariance: —

Fill in the fields above — the result is computed on this page.

Number of pairs
—
Mean X
—
Mean Y
—
Cross-deviation sum
—
Denominator
—
Pearson correlation r
—

Covariance components

Row X Y X − mean X Y − mean Y Deviation product
Fill in the fields above — the result is computed on this page.
What do these numbers mean?
  • The positive or negative sign describes the direction of joint variation.
  • Correlation is easier to compare across variables measured on different scales.

Covariance and correlation describe linear association and do not establish causality. The order of X and Y must refer to the same cases.

How do I use this page?
  1. Paste matching X and Y values.
  2. Choose sample or population.
  3. Read covariance and inspect the components table.

What this page does not do: Covariance and correlation describe linear association and do not establish causality. The order of X and Y must refer to the same cases.

Further reading

Theory — what is covariance?

Covariance measures the direction of joint variation between two variables based on paired X and Y values. A positive result means high values of X tend to occur with high values of Y, while a negative result points the other way. Its magnitude depends on the units and scale of both variables, so it cannot be easily compared across different data pairs. The calculation uses n minus one for a sample or n for a full population.

Frequently asked questions

When should I divide by n − 1?
Use it when the data is a sample and covariance estimates the population covariance. Select n for the complete population.
Why is covariance not limited to −1 and 1?
It retains the variables' units and scale. Pearson correlation is the standardised counterpart.

See also

← All calculators

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