The Excel BINOM.INV function returns the smallest number of successes for which the cumulative binomial probability is at least a given criterion — the inverse of the cumulative binomial distribution.
Syntax
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
trials | Required | The number of independent trials. |
probability_s | Required | The probability of success on a single trial (0 to 1). |
alpha | Required | The criterion probability (0 to 1). BINOM.INV finds the smallest success count whose cumulative probability meets or exceeds it. |
How to use it
BINOM.INV walks up the cumulative binomial distribution and returns the first number of successes k at which the running total probability reaches alpha. It is the binomial equivalent of a percentile.
It is the inverse of BINOM.DIST(k, trials, probability_s, TRUE): given the cumulative probability, BINOM.INV hands back the success count. The result is always a whole number.
Acceptance sampling: BINOM.INV is handy for quality-control cutoffs — "how many defects must we allow before the probability of passing drops below 95%?"
Try it: interactive demo
Pick a BINOM.INV example to see the formula and its result.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
What does BINOM.INV return?
alpha. The answer is always a whole number.How does it relate to BINOM.DIST?
BINOM.DIST(k,n,p,TRUE) gives a probability from a count; BINOM.INV(n,p,alpha) gives the count from a probability.What is the alpha argument?
What replaced CRITBINOM?
CRITBINOM function. Both return the same critical binomial value.Master functions like this in one day
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