Mathematics · Statistics

Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction Calculator

Calculate i-squared fraction from heterogeneity degrees of freedom and cochran q statistic.

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
I-squared fraction0.51087

Calculation steps

  1. Use c=1−a/b with heterogeneity degrees of freedom=9 and Cochran Q statistic=18.4.
  2. I-squared fraction=0.5108695652173912.

Understand Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction

One idea, three depths

Choose how deeply to explain Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction

Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction: Calculate i-squared fraction from heterogeneity degrees of freedom and cochran q statistic.

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

Imagine using Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction to answer this question: calculate i-squared fraction from heterogeneity degrees of freedom and cochran q statistic? Enter heterogeneity degrees of freedom and Cochran Q statistic; the calculator shows I-squared fraction. For example: heterogeneity degrees of freedom=9 and Cochran Q statistic=18.4 produce I-squared fraction=0.5108695652173912. The answer tells you I-squared fraction.

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

When Q exceeds its degrees of freedom, I-squared is one minus degrees of freedom divided by Q. This page evaluates the relationship directly. The rule is c=1−a/b. Its input values are heterogeneity degrees of freedom, Cochran Q statistic, and the main result is I-squared fraction. For example: heterogeneity degrees of freedom=9 and Cochran Q statistic=18.4 produce I-squared fraction=0.5108695652173912.

CollegeExplain it at college levelState the model precisely

This calculator evaluates the stated meta-analysis i-squared heterogeneity fraction relation over the valid real-number domain stated below. The implemented relation is c=1−a/b, evaluated from heterogeneity degrees of freedom, Cochran Q statistic to produce I-squared fraction. When Q exceeds its degrees of freedom, I-squared is one minus degrees of freedom divided by Q. This page evaluates the relationship directly. Conventionally truncate negative estimates at zero and multiply by one hundred only when reporting a percentage.

Inputs and valid domain

  • heterogeneity degrees of freedom must be a finite real number.
  • Cochran Q statistic must be a finite real number.

Important boundary: Conventionally truncate negative estimates at zero and multiply by one hundred only when reporting a percentage.

The formula

c=1−a/b

How the calculator works through it

It substitutes heterogeneity degrees of freedom, Cochran Q statistic into the formula and exposes every numerical step above. The main output is I-squared fraction.

Read the result correctly

The I-squared fraction is the direct answer to “calculate i-squared fraction from heterogeneity degrees of freedom and cochran q statistic.” Read it with the units shown beside the inputs; a sign, angle, percentage or rate changes what the number means.

A worked check

heterogeneity degrees of freedom=9 and Cochran Q statistic=18.4 produce I-squared fraction=0.5108695652173912.

Where this model stops being reliable

Conventionally truncate negative estimates at zero and multiply by one hundred only when reporting a percentage.

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 Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction works. They never block the calculator, and “optional” means useful context rather than a hidden requirement.

Hard requirements

  • Reading formulas and substituting values

    Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction uses c=1−a/b. 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

  • Averages and representative values

    Representative values help you judge what the Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction inputs summarise and what the result can legitimately describe.

    Review this foundation about 5 min

Optional enrichment

  • Spread and measurement variation

    Variation is not always part of the Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction formula, but it helps you judge how stable a reported result may be.

    Review this foundation about 6 min
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. Read heterogeneity degrees of freedom, Cochran Q statistic.
  2. Evaluate the principal relationship: c=1−a/b.
  3. Return I-squared fraction and check the domain conditions described above.
Python
            from math import *

def meta_analysis_i_squared_calculator(a, b) -> float:
    return (1.0 - (a / b))

assert abs(meta_analysis_i_squared_calculator(9, 18.4) - 0.5108695652173912) < 1e-6 * max(1.0, abs(0.5108695652173912))
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
C
            #include <assert.h>
#include <math.h>

double meta_analysis_i_squared_calculator(double a, double b) {
    return (1.0 - (a / b));
}

int main(void) {
    const double expected = 0.5108695652173912;
    const double actual = meta_analysis_i_squared_calculator(9, 18.4);
    assert(fabs(actual - expected) < 1e-6 * fmax(1.0, fabs(expected)));
}
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
C++
            #include <cassert>
#include <cmath>
#include <numbers>

double meta_analysis_i_squared_calculator(double a, double b) {
    return (1.0 - (a / b));
}

int main() {
    constexpr double expected = 0.5108695652173912;
    const double actual = meta_analysis_i_squared_calculator(9, 18.4);
    assert(std::fabs(actual - expected) < 1e-6 * std::fmax(1.0, std::fabs(expected)));
}
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
Linux x86-64 assembly

x86-64 NASM · System V ABI · Linux · SSE2 with libm where required

            ; double meta_analysis_i_squared_calculator(double a, double b)
; Linux x86-64 NASM · System V ABI · first eight doubles in xmm0–xmm7
global meta_analysis_i_squared_calculator
section .text

meta_analysis_i_squared_calculator:
    push rbp
    mov rbp, rsp
    sub rsp, 48
    movsd [rbp-8], xmm0
    movsd [rbp-16], xmm1
    mov rax, 0x3ff0000000000000
    movq xmm0, rax
    movsd [rbp-32], xmm0
    movsd xmm0, [rbp-8]
    divsd xmm0, [rbp-16]
    movsd [rbp-40], xmm0
    movsd xmm0, [rbp-32]
    subsd xmm0, [rbp-40]
    movsd [rbp-24], xmm0
    movsd xmm0, [rbp-24]
    leave
    ret
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
MATLAB
            function result = meta_analysis_i_squared_calculator(a, b)
    result = (1.0 - (a / b));
end
          
Current calculator valuesUpdates when you change an input above.
              
            
Wolfram Language
            ClearAll[mwCalculate];
mwCalculate[a_, b_] := (1.0 - (a / b));
          
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). Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction Calculator. MW SysArc Tools. https://math.mwsysarc.com/statistics/meta-analysis-i-squared-calculator

MLA 9

MW SysArc. “Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction Calculator.” MW SysArc Tools, 21 July 2026, https://math.mwsysarc.com/statistics/meta-analysis-i-squared-calculator. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Chicago 17

MW SysArc. “Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction Calculator.” MW SysArc Tools. Published July 21, 2026. Accessed August 31, 2026. https://math.mwsysarc.com/statistics/meta-analysis-i-squared-calculator.

Harvard

MW SysArc (2026) ‘Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction Calculator’, MW SysArc Tools. Published 21 July 2026. Available at: https://math.mwsysarc.com/statistics/meta-analysis-i-squared-calculator (Accessed: 31 August 2026).

BibTeX and RIS records

BibTeX

@misc{mwsysarc_meta_analysis_i_squared_calculator_2026,
  author = {{MW SysArc}},
  title = {Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction Calculator},
  howpublished = {MW SysArc Tools},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://math.mwsysarc.com/statistics/meta-analysis-i-squared-calculator},
  note = {Published July 21, 2026; accessed August 31, 2026}
}

RIS

TY  - ELEC
AU  - MW SysArc
TI  - Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction Calculator
T2  - MW SysArc Tools
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026-07-21
Y2  - 2026-08-31
UR  - https://math.mwsysarc.com/statistics/meta-analysis-i-squared-calculator
N1  - Published July 21, 2026
ER  -

Clear answers

Frequently asked questions

What does the Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction do?

Calculate i-squared fraction from heterogeneity degrees of freedom and cochran q statistic.

How does the Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction work?

The calculator applies c=1−a/b. When Q exceeds its degrees of freedom, I-squared is one minus degrees of freedom divided by Q. This page evaluates the relationship directly.

What can I learn from the Meta-Analysis I-Squared Heterogeneity Fraction?

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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