Mathematics · Probability

Combinations and Permutations Calculator

Count selections when order either matters or does not matter.

Runs locally
Your numbers

Inputs and results stay in this browser. Change one value at a time to explore the relationship.

Your inputCalculatedPassed forward in chains
Combinations nCr10
Permutations nPr60

Calculation steps

  1. Permutation count = 5! ÷ (53)! = 60.
  2. Combination count divides by 3! because order is ignored.
  3. Combination count = 10.

Understand Combinations and permutations

One idea, three depths

Choose how deeply to explain Combinations and permutations

Combinations and permutations: Count selections when order either matters or does not matter.

Age 5Explain it to a 5-year-oldStart with a picture

Imagine using Combinations and permutations to answer this question: count selections when order either matters or does not matter? Enter Available items n and Selected items r; the calculator shows Combinations nCr. For example: Choosing 3 of 5 gives 10 combinations but 60 ordered permutations. The answer tells you Combinations nCr.

Age 15Explain it to a 15-year-oldConnect it to the formula

Permutations count ordered arrangements; combinations count selections where rearranging the same chosen items creates no new outcome. The rule is nPr = n! ÷ (n − r)!; nCr = n! ÷ [r!(n − r)!]. Its input values are Available items n, Selected items r, and the main result is Combinations nCr. For example: Choosing 3 of 5 gives 10 combinations but 60 ordered permutations.

CollegeExplain it at college levelState the model precisely

This calculator evaluates the stated combinations and permutations relation over the valid integer domain stated below. The implemented relation is nPr = n! ÷ (n − r)!; nCr = n! ÷ [r!(n − r)!], evaluated from Available items n, Selected items r to produce Combinations nCr. Permutations count ordered arrangements; combinations count selections where rearranging the same chosen items creates no new outcome. Use permutations only when changing the order creates a distinct outcome.

Inputs and valid domain

  • Available items n must be an integer, at least 0, at most 170.
  • Selected items r must be an integer, at least 0, at most 170.

Important boundary: Use permutations only when changing the order creates a distinct outcome.

The formula

nPr = n! ÷ (n − r)!; nCr = n! ÷ [r!(n − r)!]

How the calculator works through it

It substitutes Available items n, Selected items r into the formula and exposes every numerical step above. The main output is Combinations nCr, accompanied by Permutations nPr.

Read the result correctly

The Combinations nCr is the direct answer to “count selections when order either matters or does not matter.” Read it with the units shown beside the inputs; a sign, angle, percentage or rate changes what the number means.

A worked check

Choosing 3 of 5 gives 10 combinations but 60 ordered permutations.

Where this model stops being reliable

Use permutations only when changing the order creates a distinct outcome.

Learn it by changing one value

Begin with the worked example, then change one value while keeping the others fixed. Compare the new result and calculation steps to identify which part of the formula changed.

Dictionary terms behind this calculator

Before studying the codeWhat you should know firstUse the calculator immediately, or check the foundations before reading the implementation.

These foundations help you understand why Combinations and permutations works. They never block the calculator, and “optional” means useful context rather than a hidden requirement.

Hard requirements

  • Reading formulas and substituting values

    Combinations and permutations uses nPr = n! ÷ (n − r)!; nCr = n! ÷ [r!(n − r)!]. You need to recognise what each side represents before substituting the stated inputs or rearranging the relationship.

    Review this foundation about 4 min

Strong support

  • Probability as a modelled proportion

    Probability rules are needed to interpret what the Combinations and permutations result says about possible outcomes.

    Review this foundation about 5 min

Optional enrichment

Learn the missing foundationsI already know these — show the code

Mathematics → algorithm → program

Implement this calculation in code

These are direct reference implementations of the calculator's principal relationship and first output. They run locally and include a small known-answer check where the language supports it.

Algorithm

  1. Replace r by min(r,n-r) to shorten the loop.
  2. For i from 1 through r, multiply by n-r+i and divide by i.
  3. The exact divisions produce n choose r without separate factorials.
Python
            def combinations(n: int, r: int) -> int:
    if not 0 <= r <= n:
        raise ValueError("require 0 <= r <= n")
    r = min(r, n - r)
    out = 1
    for i in range(1, r + 1):
        out = out * (n - r + i) // i
    return out
assert combinations(5, 3) == 10
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
C
            #include <assert.h>
#include <stdint.h>
uint64_t combinations(uint64_t n,uint64_t r){if(r>n)return 0;if(r>n-r)r=n-r;uint64_t out=1;for(uint64_t i=1;i<=r;i++)out=out*(n-r+i)/i;return out;}
int main(void){assert(combinations(5,3)==10);}
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
C++
            #include <cassert>
#include <cstdint>
std::uint64_t combinations(std::uint64_t n,std::uint64_t r){if(r>n)return 0;if(r>n-r)r=n-r;std::uint64_t out=1;for(std::uint64_t i=1;i<=r;++i)out=out*(n-r+i)/i;return out;}
int main(){assert(combinations(5,3)==10);}
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
Linux x86-64 assembly

x86-64 NASM · System V ABI · Linux · integer arguments in rdi, rsi and rdx

            ; uint64_t combinations(uint64_t n, uint64_t r)
global combinations
section .text
combinations:
    cmp rsi, rdi
    ja .invalid
    mov r8, rdi
    sub r8, rsi
    cmp rsi, r8
    cmova rsi, r8
    mov rax, 1
    mov rcx, 1
.loop:
    cmp rcx, rsi
    ja .done
    mov r9, rdi
    sub r9, rsi
    add r9, rcx
    mul r9
    div rcx
    inc rcx
    jmp .loop
.invalid:
    xor eax, eax
.done:
    ret
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
MATLAB
            function result = combinations(n, r)
    result = nchoosek(round(n), round(r));
end
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
Wolfram Language
            ClearAll[mwCalculate];
mwCalculate[n_Integer, r_Integer] := Binomial[n, r];
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            

Continue in mathematical software

The downloaded file includes your current inputs and first calculated result. It is created locally.

Floating-point answers can differ slightly by language, compiler and processor. Compare within a suitable tolerance rather than assuming every decimal representation will be identical.

Supporting sourcesAcademic referencesPrimary standards, textbooks and complete citations

Standards, reading and academic references

Use the calculator as the worked interaction, then consult the primary standards and academic textbooks listed below. MW SysArc links to the original sources; the explanation on this page is original and does not reproduce them.

Introductory Statistics 2e

Read the free OpenStax statistics textbook
Cite this book
APA 7
Illowsky, B., & Dean, S. (2023). Introductory statistics 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introductory-statistics-2e/pages/1-introduction
MLA 9
Illowsky, Barbara, and Susan Dean. Introductory Statistics 2e. OpenStax, 2023, https://openstax.org/books/introductory-statistics-2e/pages/1-introduction.
Chicago author-date
Illowsky, Barbara, and Susan Dean. 2023. Introductory Statistics 2e. Houston, TX: OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introductory-statistics-2e/pages/1-introduction.

OpenStax entries are free to read online. Follow the licence shown on each linked source before redistributing or adapting its content.

Reuse the page responsiblyCite this pageAPA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, BibTeX and RIS

These formats cite this calculator page itself. They are separate from the academic references above, which support the mathematical method and terminology.

APA 7

MW SysArc. (2026, July 21). Combinations and Permutations Calculator. MW SysArc Tools. https://math.mwsysarc.com/probability/combinations-permutations-calculator

MLA 9

MW SysArc. “Combinations and Permutations Calculator.” MW SysArc Tools, 21 July 2026, https://math.mwsysarc.com/probability/combinations-permutations-calculator. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Chicago 17

MW SysArc. “Combinations and Permutations Calculator.” MW SysArc Tools. Published July 21, 2026. Accessed August 31, 2026. https://math.mwsysarc.com/probability/combinations-permutations-calculator.

Harvard

MW SysArc (2026) ‘Combinations and Permutations Calculator’, MW SysArc Tools. Published 21 July 2026. Available at: https://math.mwsysarc.com/probability/combinations-permutations-calculator (Accessed: 31 August 2026).

BibTeX and RIS records

BibTeX

@misc{mwsysarc_combinations_permutations_2026,
  author = {{MW SysArc}},
  title = {Combinations and Permutations Calculator},
  howpublished = {MW SysArc Tools},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://math.mwsysarc.com/probability/combinations-permutations-calculator},
  note = {Published July 21, 2026; accessed August 31, 2026}
}

RIS

TY  - ELEC
AU  - MW SysArc
TI  - Combinations and Permutations Calculator
T2  - MW SysArc Tools
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026-07-21
Y2  - 2026-08-31
UR  - https://math.mwsysarc.com/probability/combinations-permutations-calculator
N1  - Published July 21, 2026
ER  -

Clear answers

Frequently asked questions

What does the Combinations and permutations do?

Count selections when order either matters or does not matter.

How does the Combinations and permutations work?

The calculator applies nPr = n! ÷ (n − r)!; nCr = n! ÷ [r!(n − r)!]. Permutations count ordered arrangements; combinations count selections where rearranging the same chosen items creates no new outcome.

What can I learn from the Combinations and permutations?

It connects the mathematical rule to your chosen numbers and shows each calculation step. Change one input at a time to see how the result responds.

Does MW SysArc receive or store what I enter?

No. The calculation runs locally in your browser. MW SysArc does not receive or store your calculation inputs.

How should I use the result?

Use the steps to understand the method, then verify important school or professional work using the notation and rounding rules required in your setting.

Last reviewed . Calculations tested .

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