Statistics, spreadsheets: using the normal cdf on Google Sheets

Tutoring statistics, normal distribution and normal cdf, etc, are often referenced. The tutor mentions some everyday ideas with an example on Google Sheets.

The following is according to my understanding.

In statistics, the normal distribution is probably the most used one: see my post from January 22, 2026, for some ideas about it.

One common use case of the normal distribution is to apply the normal cdf, as follows: the user might input three numbers: the particular measurement, then the mean of the underlying population, then the standard deviation. Then, the output will be the fraction of the population, usually in decimal form, that is less than or equal to that value.

On Google Sheets, one way to to use the normal cdf is to use the NORMDIST function, found among the Statistical functions. To find them, start from the Σ symbol, bottom right of the menus area.

From Statistical Functions, one would choose NORMDIST. For instance, NORMDIST(41, 40, 17,1) would give the percent of the population less than or equal to 41 if the mean is 40 and standard deviation 17. The 1 means the normal cdf option is desired. The answer, it seems, is 0.523.

People may say normal cdf, normal cd, and normal distribution to refer to the normal cumulative distribution function.

Source:

support.google.com: NORMDIST