The Excel PEARSON function returns the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r) — a number between -1 and 1 that measures how strongly two sets of values move together in a straight line.
Syntax
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
array1 | Required | The first set of values (the independent variable, x). |
array2 | Required | The second set of values (the dependent variable, y). Must have the same number of points as array1. |
How to use it
PEARSON measures linear correlation: 1 is a perfect upward line, -1 a perfect downward line, and 0 means no linear relationship. The two arrays must be the same size and pair up point-by-point.
PEARSON returns exactly the same value as CORREL — the two functions are interchangeable. To get the coefficient of determination (r²), square the result or use RSQ.
Correlation is not causation. A high r only says the two columns track each other; it does not prove one drives the other. Always pair the number with a scatter chart to confirm the pattern is genuinely linear.
Try it: interactive demo
Pick a PEARSON example to see the formula and its result.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between PEARSON and CORREL?
PEARSON and CORREL use the same formula and return identical results. PEARSON is named for the statistic; CORREL is the more commonly used name in Excel.What range of values can PEARSON return?
1 is a strong positive linear relationship, near -1 a strong negative one, and near 0 means little or no linear relationship.How do I get r-squared from PEARSON?
=PEARSON(x,y)^2 — or use the dedicated RSQ function. R² is the proportion of variation in y explained by x.What happens if the two arrays are different sizes?
#N/A error. The arrays must contain the same number of data points so each x pairs with one y.Master functions like this in one day
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