Free Finite Population Correction Calculator

Apply the finite population correction factor to adjust the standard error when sampling a significant fraction of the population.

Corrected Standard Error

2.238307

FPC Factor0.895323
Sampling Fraction (n/N)0.2000
SE Reduction (%)10.4677

Corrected Standard Error vs Uncorrected Standard Error

How to Apply the Finite Population Correction

Formula

FPC = sqrt((N - n) / (N - 1))

Corrected SE = SE * FPC

When sampling without replacement from a finite population, the standard error is smaller than the infinite-population formula suggests. The FPC factor accounts for this. It is close to 1 when n is small relative to N, and approaches 0 as n approaches N (census).

Example Calculation

Standard error = 2.5, sample of 100 from a population of 500.

  1. 01Sampling fraction = 100/500 = 0.20 (20% of population)
  2. 02FPC = sqrt((500-100)/(500-1)) = sqrt(400/499) = sqrt(0.8016) = 0.8954
  3. 03Corrected SE = 2.5 * 0.8954 = 2.2384
  4. 04The standard error is reduced by 10.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

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