Pearson Correlation Calculator

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Find r, r² and the significance of a correlation

Paired data (x and y)

r = 0.996232, a large positive linear association. r² = 0.992479, so about 99.2% of the variation in y is linearly associated with x.

n (pairs)7
Σx, Σy37.5000, 33.7000
Σxy, Σx², Σy²211.6500, 234.8700, 190.9500
Sxy = Σxy − (Σx·Σy)/n31.114286
Pearson r = Sxy / √(Sxx·Syy)0.996232
r²0.992479
t = r √(n − 2) / √(1 − r²), df = n − 225.6863, df 5
Two-tailed p, H₀: ρ = 00.000002

Reading r

r is always between −1 and +1. The sign gives the direction, and the size gives how tightly the points follow a straight line. Cohen (1988, Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, ch. 3) suggests about 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 as small, medium and large effects. Those are rules of thumb for research, not cut-offs for every field. The p-value tests whether the population correlation could be zero. It says nothing about whether one variable causes the other, and a curved relationship can give a small r even when the two variables are strongly related.

🔗 Pearson Correlation Calculator — Free Online Tool

Find r, r² and the significance of a correlation. The Pearson correlation coefficient r measures how closely paired measurements follow a straight line, from −1 for a perfect negative line to +1 for a perfect positive line. This calculator computes r from the sums of deviations, squares it to get r², and tests whether the population correlation could be zero with a t statistic on n − 2 degrees of freedom.

How to use it

  1. Paste the x values and the y values in the same order, separated by commas, spaces or new lines.
  2. Make sure both lists have the same count, with at least three pairs.
  3. Read r, its direction and strength word, then check the sums that produce it.
  4. Use the two-tailed p-value to judge whether the correlation differs from zero.

🚀 Why use this Pearson Correlation Calculator tool?

r measures linear association only. Two variables can be strongly related along a curve and still show r near zero, and a large r between two variables says nothing about cause. Plot the data before you interpret the number. 100% free, no registration, and complete privacy — everything runs locally in your browser, so your data never touches a server.

Key Features

🎯r from sums of deviations

r = Sxy / √(Sxx·Syy), where Sxy = Σxy − (Σx·Σy)/n. The result always lies between −1 and +1.

📊Sums shown

Σx, Σy, Σxy, Σx² and Σy² are listed so each step can be reproduced on a calculator or in a spreadsheet.

🧪Significance test

t = r·√(n − 2) / √(1 − r²), with n − 2 degrees of freedom, gives a two-tailed p-value for H0: ρ = 0.

📏Strength wording

The strength labels follow Cohen's conventional 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 bands, which are rules of thumb for research rather than cut-offs.

Popular Use Cases

Research and surveys

  • • Study hours against exam scores
  • • Two survey scales that should move together
  • • Agreement between two measurements

Science labs

  • • Absorbance against concentration
  • • Reaction time against temperature
  • • Comparing two sensor readings

Business analysis

  • • Ad spend and sales
  • • Price and units sold
  • • Two KPIs over the same months

What It Handles

Calculation

  • ✓ Pearson r from raw pairs
  • ✓ r squared
  • ✓ Sums shown for hand checks

Testing

  • ✓ t statistic with n − 2 df
  • ✓ Two-tailed p-value for ρ = 0
  • ✓ At least 3 pairs required

Reading

  • ✓ Direction and strength wording
  • ✓ Plain-language sentence with r²
  • ✓ Reminder about linearity and outliers

Related Tools

Sources & References

Frequently Asked Questions

What value of r counts as strong?

There is no universal cut-off. Cohen (1988) suggested about 0.1 as small, 0.3 as medium and 0.5 as large for behavioural research. In instrument calibration, 0.95 may be weak by the standards of that field. The right threshold depends on the measurement and the question.

Does correlation prove that one variable causes the other?

No. A high r shows that the two variables move together in the data. The link can come from a third variable, from reverse causation or from chance. A randomized experiment is needed to test causation.

Why is r squared useful?

r² is the proportion of the variation in y that a straight line in x accounts for. With r = 0.5, r² = 0.25, so a quarter of the variation is linearly associated with x. It makes the strength easier to compare across studies than r alone.

When should I use Spearman instead of Pearson?

Pearson assumes a linear relationship and is most useful when the data have no extreme outliers. For ranked data, or for a monotonic but curved relationship, Spearman's rank correlation is usually the better choice. This page computes Pearson only.

🎓 Pro Tips

  • Tip 1: Plot a scatter diagram first. Outliers can create or hide a correlation, and one unusual point can move r a lot in a small sample.
  • Tip 2: Report r with n and the p-value, for example r = 0.77, n = 5, p = 0.12, so the precision is clear.
  • Tip 3: Check that the x and y values are paired correctly. A list shifted by one row is a common cause of a wrong r.
  • Tip 4: r does not depend on units, but compare scatter plots on similar scales so the pattern is easy to judge.
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