Overview for Sample Size for Estimation

Use Sample Size for Estimation to estimate the sample size that you need to achieve a specific margin of error for confidence intervals for the mean, standard deviation, variance, proportion, Poisson rate, or Poisson mean. Conversely, you can estimate the margin of error based on the sample size you plan to use.

For example, an analyst at an electronics company uses a sample size for estimation calculation before conducting a study to estimate the mean voltage of a new line of resistors used in circuit boards. The analyst wants determine the sample required so that the estimate of the mean is within 5 volts of the population mean with 95% confidence.