The Excel CHISQ.TEST function returns the p-value from a chi-square test of independence — it compares a table of observed counts against expected counts and tells you how likely that difference is by chance.
Syntax
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
actual_range | Required | The range (or array) of observed frequencies. |
expected_range | Required | The range (or array) of expected frequencies — the same shape as the observed table. |
How to use it
CHISQ.TEST takes two same-shaped tables — observed and expected counts — computes the chi-square statistic internally, and returns the resulting p-value directly. You don't have to look up a critical value.
A small p-value (below your chosen alpha, often 0.05) means the observed counts differ from the expected counts more than chance alone would explain — evidence of an association. The degrees of freedom are inferred from the table shape: (rows-1) × (columns-1).
What it returns: CHISQ.TEST returns the probability, not the chi-square statistic. To get the statistic itself, compare your tables manually or back it out with CHISQ.INV.RT(p, df).
Try it: interactive demo
Pick a CHISQ.TEST example to see the formula and its result.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
Does CHISQ.TEST return the chi-square statistic or a p-value?
How are degrees of freedom determined?
(number of rows - 1) × (number of columns - 1). A single row or column uses just the other dimension minus one.What does a small p-value mean?
Is CHISQ.TEST the same as the old CHITEST?
CHISQ.TEST is the modern name for the legacy CHITEST function and behaves identically.Master functions like this in one day
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