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Factor analysis calculator

Paste three or four equal-length variables. The calculator uses component extraction and optional varimax rotation.

Variance share retained by factors: —

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

Observations
—
Variables
—
Factors
—
First eigenvalue
—
Variance explained by first factor
—
Minimum uniqueness
—

Scree plot

Eigenvalues show how much variance each successive component captures.

Loadings and communalities

Variable Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Communality h² Uniqueness u²
Fill in the fields above — the result is computed on this page.
What do these numbers mean?
  • A large absolute loading indicates a strong variable-factor relationship.
  • High uniqueness means selected factors reproduce a variable poorly.
  • The scree plot helps assess how many dimensions to retain.

This is an educational component-based extraction for 3–4 variables. It does not calculate KMO, Bartlett's test, standard errors or maximum-likelihood estimates.

How do I use this page?
  1. Paste at least three equal-length variables.
  2. Choose factor count and rotation.
  3. Assess the scree plot, loadings, communalities and substantive meaning.

What this page does not do: This is an educational component-based extraction for 3–4 variables. It does not calculate KMO, Bartlett's test, standard errors or maximum-likelihood estimates.

Further reading

Theory — what is factor analysis?

Factor analysis describes a set of observed variables using a smaller number of hidden dimensions called factors. The calculator applies component extraction with optional varimax rotation to three or four equal-length variables. A factor loading shows how strongly a variable relates to a factor, communality h² indicates the share of its variance that is explained, and uniqueness u² shows the share that remains unexplained. Choosing the number of factors should rely on the scree plot, eigenvalues and interpretability, not on a single fixed threshold.

Frequently asked questions

How many factors should I choose?
Compare the scree plot, eigenvalues, communalities and interpretability. Do not rely on one threshold.
Does varimax change fit?
Orthogonal rotation redistributes loadings while preserving their total explained variance.

See also

← All calculators

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