# NORMDIST

The **NORMDIST** function calculates the normal distribution for a specified mean and standard deviation. It is used to determine the probability that a variable falls at or below a certain value, providing either the cumulative distribution function (CDF) or the probability density function (PDF).

### Syntax

<pre class="language-javascript"><code class="lang-javascript"><strong>NORMDIST(x, mean, std_dev, cumulative)
</strong></code></pre>

### Arguments

The **NORMDIST** function syntax has the following arguments:

* x - The value for which you want the distribution. Required.
* [mean](https://docs.inforiver.com/formula-syntax/math-functions/average) - The arithmetic mean of the distribution. Required.
* [std\_dev](https://docs.inforiver.com/formula-syntax/statistical-functions/stdevs) - The standard deviation of the distribution. Required.
* cumulative - A logical value that determines the form of the function. If TRUE, it returns the cumulative distribution function; if FALSE, it returns the probability density function. Required.

### Example

```javascript
NORMDIST(42, 40, 1.5, true)
// Returns 0.9087
```

You can use the **NORMDIST** function to analyze the probability of specific outcomes in datasets that follow a bell curve, such as predicting the likelihood of a project hitting a specific revenue target or analyzing test scores.

<figure><img src="https://3062809325-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEbkCXCUXmtUq5tcnUtZE%2Fuploads%2FbhXWeTNC498kN624lNSU%2F2026-02-18_10h20_27.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1b4fb631-e2bc-4237-a848-4ec765488ed0" alt=""><figcaption><p>NORMDIST function</p></figcaption></figure>

### Excel Equivalent

[NORMDIST](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/normdist-function-126db625-c53e-4591-9a22-c9ff422d6d58)

### FAQs

**Q1. What is the difference between the cumulative distribution function (CDF) and the probability density function (PDF)?**

* The CDF (cumulative = TRUE) calculates the total area under the curve to the left of x, representing the probability that a value is less than or equal to x.&#x20;
* The PDF (cumulative = FALSE) calculates the height of the curve at a specific point x, which describes the relative likelihood of the variable taking that exact value.