The Excel NORMSINV function returns the inverse of the standard normal cumulative distribution — given a probability, it returns the matching z-score. It is a legacy function; Microsoft replaced it in Excel 2010 with NORM.S.INV, which takes the same argument.
Syntax
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
probability | Required | A probability associated with the standard normal distribution, between 0 and 1. |
How to use it
NORMSINV is the reverse of NORMSDIST: supply a cumulative probability and it returns the z-score (standard deviations from the mean) at that percentile of the standard normal distribution.
It is the standard tool for finding critical z-values for confidence intervals and hypothesis tests. Feeding the output of NORMSDIST back into NORMSINV returns the original z. The probability must be between 0 and 1.
Use NORM.S.INV in Excel 2010 and later. NORMSINV is kept only for backward compatibility. Microsoft recommends NORM.S.INV, which takes the same single probability argument.
Try it: interactive demo
Pick a NORMSINV example to see the formula and its result.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
Should I use NORMSINV or NORM.S.INV?
NORM.S.INV in Excel 2010 or later — it takes the same single probability argument and is the supported function. NORMSINV is kept only for older workbooks.How does NORMSINV relate to NORMSDIST?
NORMSDIST(z) turns a z-score into a probability; NORMSINV(probability) turns that probability back into a z-score.What z-score does NORMSINV(0.975) give?
NORMSINV(0.995) gives roughly 2.576 for a 99% interval.What range must the probability be in?
probability must be between 0 and 1 (and not exactly 0 or 1). Values outside that range, or non-numeric inputs, return an error.Master functions like this in one day
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