Correlation Coefficient & R-Squared Calculator: Statistics

Correlation & R-Squared Calculator

Correlation & R-Squared Calculator

Compute Pearson’s correlation coefficient ($r$), determine $R^2$, and visualize linear regression.

Data Entry

Enter paired data. Values can be separated by commas, spaces, or new lines. Number of items in X and Y must match.

Statistics

Correlation (r)
R-Squared (R²)
Sample Size (n)
Regression Line Equation:
y = mx + c

Scatter Plot

Data Points Best Fit Line

Understanding Correlation and R-Squared

In statistics, Correlation measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables. The most common measure is Pearson’s r.

Interpreting ‘r’

  • Range: $-1 \le r \le 1$.
  • Positive ($r > 0$): As X increases, Y tends to increase.
  • Negative ($r < 0$): As X increases, Y tends to decrease.
  • Zero ($r \approx 0$): No linear relationship.
  • Magnitude: Values closer to -1 or 1 indicate a stronger linear relationship.

Coefficient of Determination ($R^2$)

R-squared represents the proportion of the variance for the dependent variable ($Y$) that’s explained by the independent variable ($X$). For example, an $R^2$ of 0.85 means that 85% of the variation in Y is predictable from X. It is a key metric for evaluating the goodness-of-fit of a linear regression model.

Linear Regression

The tool also calculates the Line of Best Fit equation: $y = mx + c$, where $m$ is the slope and $c$ is the y-intercept. This line minimizes the sum of squared vertical distances (residuals) between the data points and the line.

FAQ

Does correlation imply causation?
No. A high correlation between X and Y does not mean X causes Y. Both could be influenced by a third, unseen variable (confounding factor), or the relationship could be coincidental.
Why is my R-Squared low?
A low $R^2$ indicates that the linear model does not explain much of the variability in the data. This could be because the data is very noisy, or the relationship is non-linear (e.g., curved).
What if X and Y have different lengths?
Correlation requires paired data. Each X value must have a corresponding Y value. If the lists are different lengths, the calculator cannot compute the statistic and will show an error.

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