The Excel NORMSDIST function returns the standard normal cumulative distribution (mean 0, standard deviation 1) for a given z-score. It is a legacy function; Microsoft replaced it in Excel 2010 with NORM.S.DIST, which adds a cumulative option.
Syntax
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
z | Required | The z-score (number of standard deviations from the mean) at which to evaluate the standard normal distribution. |
How to use it
NORMSDIST is the standard normal special case — mean 0, standard deviation 1 — so you only supply a z-score. The legacy function is cumulative only: it returns the area under the standard bell curve to the left of z.
It is the workhorse behind converting z-scores to probabilities. Its inverse, NORMSINV (modern NORM.S.INV), turns a probability back into a z-score.
Use NORM.S.DIST in Excel 2010 and later. The modern NORM.S.DIST adds a cumulative argument so it can return the density too. NORMSDIST is kept only for backward compatibility.
Try it: interactive demo
Pick a NORMSDIST example to see the formula and its result.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
Should I use NORMSDIST or NORM.S.DIST?
NORM.S.DIST in Excel 2010 or later. It takes z plus a cumulative flag; NORMSDIST is retained only so older workbooks keep working.What does NORMSDIST(0) return?
How is NORMSDIST different from NORMDIST?
NORMSDIST assumes the standard normal (mean 0, sd 1) and takes just a z-score. NORMDIST lets you specify any mean and standard deviation. NORMSDIST(z) equals NORMDIST(z,0,1,TRUE).Why does the legacy version have no cumulative argument?
NORM.S.DIST with its cumulative argument set to FALSE.Master functions like this in one day
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