Statistics & probability

Likelihood ratios from sensitivity and specificity calculator

Translate two conditional test rates into likelihood ratios for positive and negative outcomes.

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Behind the numbers

How this calculation works

Translate two conditional test rates into likelihood ratios for positive and negative outcomes.

THE FORMULALR+ = sensitivity/(1−specificity), LR− = (1−sensitivity)/specificity

A worked example

Sensitivity 0.8 and specificity 0.9 yield LR+ 8 and LR− about 0.222.

Good to know

These ratios describe test evidence. They do not specify an individual’s baseline odds.

Read the result

Translate two conditional test rates into likelihood ratios for positive and negative outcomes.

The primary result is labeled “Positive likelihood ratio”. Keep the input definitions in view when comparing this result with another method.

Try a related calculation

These ratios describe test evidence. They do not specify an individual’s baseline odds.

For a related exercise, try the statistics calculator.

A few questions, answered

How can I check the default inputs by hand?

Sensitivity 0.8 and specificity 0.9 yield LR+ 8 and LR− about 0.222.

Which rule does this calculator apply?

LR+ = sensitivity/(1−specificity), LR− = (1−sensitivity)/specificity

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