Survey margin of error calculator

Calculate the margin of error achieved by a completed survey sample.

Margin of error

Calculate the margin of error your completed survey actually achieved. Enter the response count, confidence level and, optionally, the population size.

Starts with uncertainty

The conservative default assumes a 50% proportion, where sampling error is largest.

Confidence changes the range

Higher confidence uses a larger z-score and therefore a wider interval.

Finite populations

When a meaningful share of the whole population responds, finite population correction narrows the result.

Frequently asked questions

What does ±3% mean?

An estimated 50% result would be expected to fall roughly between 47% and 53% at the selected confidence level.

Does this fix sampling bias?

No. It measures random sampling error, not a biased audience or question.

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