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Confidence Interval Calculator - Free CI Calculator for Mean & Proportion

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Confidence Interval Calculator

Calculate confidence intervals for population parameters. Find the range of plausible values with specified confidence level.

Confidence Interval for Population Mean

How to use this calculator

📊 How to Use This Calculator

  1. Choose the parameter: mean, proportion, or difference
  2. Enter your sample statistics (mean/proportion, sample size, etc.)
  3. Select your confidence level (90%, 95%, or 99%)
  4. Click calculate to get the confidence interval
  5. Use the sample size calculator to plan future studies

📐 Understanding Confidence Intervals

What is a Confidence Interval?

A range of plausible values for a population parameter, calculated from sample data.

Interpretation

A 95% CI means: if we repeated the sampling process many times, about 95% of the intervals would contain the true parameter.

Key Formulas

Mean: x̄ ± t × (s/√n)

Proportion: p̂ ± z × √[p̂(1-p̂)/n]

🌟 Real-World Examples

Example 1: Average Height

Sample mean = 170 cm, SD = 10 cm, n = 100

95% CI: [168.04, 171.96] cm

Example 2: Election Poll

Support = 52%, n = 1000

95% CI: [48.9%, 55.1%] (±3.1% margin of error)

Example 3: Treatment Effect

Difference in means = 5.2 units

95% CI: [2.1, 8.3] - significant effect

💡 Pro Tips

  • • Wider CI = more uncertainty, narrower CI = more precision
  • • Increase sample size to reduce margin of error
  • • Higher confidence level = wider interval
  • • CI that excludes 0 indicates statistical significance
  • • For proportions near 0 or 1, use Wilson score interval
  • • Check assumptions: random sampling, normality (for small n)

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • • CI is NOT the probability the parameter is in the interval
  • • Don't use z when n < 30 for means (use t instead)
  • • Ensure data meets assumptions before calculating
  • • CI for proportion requires np ≥ 5 and n(1-p) ≥ 5
  • • Remember: CI is about the parameter, not individual values
  • • Don't confuse confidence level with confidence interval

About this calculator

Calculate confidence intervals for population mean, proportion, and difference. Find margin of error and interpret results with visualization.

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