You can use the following formula to calculate the percentile of a normal distribution based on a mean and standard deviation:
Percentile Value = μ + zσ
where:
- μ: Mean
- z: z-score from z table that corresponds to percentile value
- σ: Standard deviation
The following examples show how to use this formula in practice.
Example 1: Calculate 15th Percentile Using Mean & Standard Deviation
Suppose the weight of a certain species of otters is normally distributed with a mean of μ = 60 pounds and standard deviation of σ = 12 pounds.
What is the weight of an otter at the 15th percentile?
To answer this, we must find the z-score that is closest to the value 0.15 in the z table. This value turns out to be -1.04:
We can then plug this value into the percentile formula:
- Percentile Value = μ + zσ
- 15th percentile = 60 + (-1.04)*12
- 15th percentile = 47.52
An otter at the 15th percentile weighs about 47.52 pounds.
Note: We could also use the Percentile to Z-Score Calculator to find that the exact z-score that corresponds to the 15th percentile is -1.0364.
Pugging this value into the percentile formula, we get:
- Percentile Value = μ + zσ
- 15th percentile = 60 + (-1.0364)*12
- 15th percentile = 47.5632
Example 2: Calculate 93rd Percentile Using Mean & Standard Deviation
Suppose the exam scores on a certain test are normally distributed with a mean of μ = 85 and standard deviation of σ = 5.
What is the exam score of a student who scores at the 93rd percentile?
To answer this, we must find the z-score that is closest to the value 0.93 in the z table. This value turns out to be 1.48:
We can then plug this value into the percentile formula:
- Percentile Value = μ + zσ
- 93rd percentile = 85 + (1.48)*5
- 93rd percentile = 92.4
A student who scores at the 93rd percentile would receive an exam score of about 92.4.
Note: We could also use the Percentile to Z-Score Calculator to find that the exact z-score that corresponds to the 93rd percentile is 1.4758.
Pugging this value into the percentile formula, we get:
- Percentile Value = μ + zσ
- 93rd percentile = 85+ (1.4758)*5
- 93rd percentile = 92.379
Additional Resources
How to use the Z Table (With Examples)
How to Convert Between Z-Scores and Percentiles in Excel