PERCENTILE.INC function
Quick answer
PERCENTILE.INC returns the value below which a given share of the data falls: k = 0.9 gives the 90th percentile.
- Syntax
=PERCENTILE.INC(array, k)- Most common use
=PERCENTILE.INC(B2:B9,0.5)returns 26 (The 50th percentile is the median: 26 minutes)
It interpolates between neighboring values, so the result may not be in the list. Use it for pay bands, response-time targets and score cutoffs. PERCENTILE is the older name and works the same.
- Available in
- Excel 2010 and later
- Category
- Statistical functions
- Returns
- A number; #NUM! if k is below 0 or above 1, or there are no numbers.
- Google Sheets
- Google Sheets has PERCENTILE.INC and PERCENTILE, with the same results.
Syntax
=PERCENTILE.INC(array, k)
| Argument | Required? | What it is |
|---|---|---|
array | Required | The numbers. Text and blanks are skipped. |
k | Required | The percentile as a decimal from 0 to 1: 0.9 for the 90th. |
Examples
Each result below is calculated from the sample sheet by our formula engine, the same one that grades the practice.
| Cell | Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2 | =PERCENTILE.INC(B2:B9,0.5) | 26 | The 50th percentile is the median: 26 minutes |
| D3 | =PERCENTILE.INC(B2:B9,0.9) | 60 | 90% of replies took 60 minutes or less |
| D4 | =PERCENTILE.INC(B2:B9,1) | 95 | k = 1 is the maximum |
Try it live
This is the sample sheet. Change any number or text, or edit a formula, and the results update.
Show the sample data as a table
| Ticket | Minutes to reply | Result | |
| T-101 | 12 | 26 | |
| T-102 | 45 | 60 | |
| T-103 | 8 | 95 | |
| T-104 | 30 | ||
| T-105 | 22 | ||
| T-106 | 95 | ||
| T-107 | 15 | ||
| T-108 | 40 |
Practice PERCENTILE.INC
Graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data.
Response time target
E2, calculate the 95th percentile of the reply times in B2:B11: the time 95% of replies beat.Common mistakes
| What you see | Why, and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| #NUM! | k must be between 0 and 1. Write 0.9 or 90%, not 90. |
| The result isn't one of the values | PERCENTILE.INC interpolates between the two nearest values. For an actual value from the list, use LARGE or SMALL with a position. |
| A different answer from another tool | There are several percentile methods. PERCENTILE.INC matches Excel's older PERCENTILE; PERCENTILE.EXC uses the exclusive method. |
Tips
- =PERCENTILE.INC(B2:B100,{0.25,0.5,0.75}) returns three percentiles in one formula in Microsoft 365.
Questions
How do I calculate the 90th percentile in Excel?
=PERCENTILE.INC(B2:B100,0.9). The k argument is a decimal, so the 90th is 0.9.
What is the difference between PERCENTILE.INC and PERCENTILE.EXC?
.INC allows k from 0 to 1 and treats the lowest and highest values as the 0th and 100th percentiles. .EXC leaves those ends out, so k near 0 or 1 returns #NUM! on short lists.
Is PERCENTILE the same as PERCENTILE.INC?
Yes. PERCENTILE is the older name, kept for compatibility.
Updated Checked by running: every formula on this page was run by our formula engine on .