NORMSDIST Function (Gnumeric)

• Introduced: Documented by 1.12.62; original introduction not established.
• Availability: Supported in Gnumeric 1.12.62, based on the function-specific registration.
• Scope: Desktop; the fn-stat function module must be included and enabled.
• Checked: October 14, 2026. Official source and independent mathematical examples checked; Gnumeric 1.12.62 was not run.

NORMSDIST returns the cumulative probability to the left of a z-score in the standard normal distribution. The mean is zero and the standard deviation is one. There is no optional PDF/density flag. Official function reference.

Φ(z)=erfc(−z/√2)/2. The CDF increases from 0 toward 1, with Φ(0)=0.5 and Φ(−z)=1−Φ(z) mathematically. Negative z-scores are valid, not input errors.

=NORMSDIST(x)

Every argument shown is required. Use numeric inputs or cell references. The examples follow English Gnumeric’s comma-separated notation and decimal points; localized separators can differ. Release-pinned argument help and evaluator.

Enter each formula in an unused worksheet cell. These are independently calculated mathematical reference values rounded to twelve decimal places. Keep full stored precision in later formulas rather than retyping a rounded display.

Standardize before evaluating

For a normal model with mean 10 and SD 2, an observation of 12 has z=(12−10)/2=1. Enter =NORMSDIST((12-10)/2) for expected probability 0.841344746069. If the observation, mean and SD are in A2:C2, use =NORMSDIST((A2-B2)/C2) and ensure C2 is positive.

One tail versus two tails

For z=2, =1-NORMSDIST(2) has expected probability 0.022750131948 in the upper tail. The probability beyond either −2 or +2 is =2*(1-NORMSDIST(2)), approximately 0.045500263896. The doubled-tail formula relies on the standard normal distribution’s symmetry.

The release evaluator calls pnorm with mean 0, SD 1 and cumulative mode selected. It does not calculate a density. To evaluate the standard-normal density instead, use =NORMDIST(x,0,1,FALSE()). Extremely large magnitudes can produce displayed probabilities indistinguishable from 0 or 1 because of finite precision. Pinned evaluator.

=NORMSDIST(1.96)-NORMSDIST(-1.96) is approximately 0.950004209704, slightly above 0.95 because 1.96 is rounded. Use =NORMSINV(0.975) for the model’s more precise positive central-95% endpoint. A successful calculation does not itself justify a normal assumption.

NORMSINV; NORMDIST; STANDARDIZE.

• NORMSDIST manual entry
• Gnumeric 1.12.62 argument contract and calculation