The Excel F.INV function returns the inverse of the left-tailed F distribution — given a probability, it returns the F value at which the cumulative area to the left equals that probability.
Syntax
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
probability | Required | A probability associated with the F distribution, between 0 and 1. |
deg_freedom1 | Required | The numerator degrees of freedom (a positive integer). |
deg_freedom2 | Required | The denominator degrees of freedom (a positive integer). |
How to use it
F.INV is the inverse of F.DIST: you supply a left-tail probability and it returns the matching F value. It answers “what F statistic has this much area to its left?”
Because it works from the left tail, F.INV(0.99, d1, d2) finds the upper critical value — the same point you would get from F.INV.RT(0.01, d1, d2). The two are equivalent: a 0.99 left-tail probability is a 0.01 right-tail probability.
Use F.INV to find critical cutoffs when running an F-test by hand: choose your significance level, convert it to the appropriate tail probability, and read off the critical F.
Tip: For an upper-tail critical value at the 5% level, F.INV(0.95, d1, d2) and F.INV.RT(0.05, d1, d2) give the same number — pick whichever reads more naturally in your sheet.
Try it: interactive demo
Enter a left-tail probability and the two degrees of freedom to build the inverse formula.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
What does F.INV return?
F.DIST(...,TRUE).What is the difference between F.INV and F.INV.RT?
F.INV takes a left-tail probability; F.INV.RT takes a right-tail probability. They are linked by F.INV(p,d1,d2) = F.INV.RT(1−p,d1,d2), so they return the same value for complementary probabilities.Why do F.INV(0.99,...) and F.INV.RT(0.01,...) give the same answer?
How is F.INV different from the legacy FINV?
FINV takes a right-tail probability, matching today's F.INV.RT. F.INV (2010+) is the new left-tailed inverse function.Master functions like this in one day
This page covers one function. Our Excel Formulas and Functions class covers the 30 that matter most — live, hands-on, taught by professionals in Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Oklahoma City, Denver, or online.
See the Formulas & Functions Class