CalcaTools

Binomial Formula Calculator

Calculates binomial formula using P(X = k) = C(n,k) × pᵏ × (1−p)ⁿ⁻ᵏ, instantly in your browser.

Last updated: July 2026 · Free · No sign-up required

Results

Enter values above and click Calculate to see your result instantly.

Inside the Binomial Formula Calculator

Every result on this page comes from a real formula — P(X = k) = C(n,k) × pᵏ × (1−p)ⁿ⁻ᵏ; μ = np; σ² = np(1−p) — computed live in your browser the moment you press the button.

The reference table below covers the most common binomial formula calculator cases at a glance, the methodology section breaks the calculation into verifiable steps, and the FAQ tackles the edge cases.

Quick reference

n, k, pP(X = k)
10, 3, 0.50.1172
10, 5, 0.50.2461
20, 10, 0.50.1762
100, 50, 0.50.0796

functions Shows the working, not just the answer

For students and teachers, the final number is only half the value. Every math tool here exposes the formula it applied, the intermediate steps, and the rounding rule, so you can follow along, check your homework, or use the answer in a proof or report with confidence.

calculate Accurate to the spec

Calculations use 64-bit floating point with sensible rounding for the domain (currency to 2 decimals, percentages to 4 decimals, algebra to 6 significant figures). Where exact rational arithmetic matters — fractions, factorials, simplification — we use a dedicated BigNumber path so 1/3 + 1/6 returns ½, not 0.49999.

school Free for classroom use

Educators are welcome to link to any math calculator on CalcaTools from a class site, Google Classroom, or worksheet. The pages are mobile-friendly, free, ad-supported (so we can keep them free) and have no sign-up wall — students just click and use them in class or at home.

tips_and_updates Pair with the spoke articles

Below the calculator we link a small set of plain-English explainer pages — "What is a percentage?", "Why does PEMDAS matter?", and so on. They cover the underlying concept in 4–6 short paragraphs. Read those before the calculator if the topic is new, or after if you want the extra context.

Interpretation guide

OutputQuestion it answers
P(X = k)Exactly k successes
P(X ≤ k)At most k successes
P(X ≥ k)At least k successes
Mean np, variance npqCentre and spread of the distribution

Formula & methodology

Formula: P(X = k) = C(n,k) × pᵏ × (1−p)ⁿ⁻ᵏ; μ = np; σ² = np(1−p)

  1. Enter the number of independent trials n, the successes k, and the per-trial probability p.
  2. The tool computes the binomial coefficient C(n,k) via log-gamma (no factorial overflow).
  3. It multiplies by pᵏ(1−p)ⁿ⁻ᵏ for the exact PMF, then sums terms for the ≤ and ≥ tails.

Example: n = 10 coin flips, k = 3 heads, p = 0.5 → C(10,3) = 120, P = 120÷1024 = 0.117188.

Frequently asked questions

What is the binomial formula?
P(X = k) = C(n,k)·pᵏ·(1−p)ⁿ⁻ᵏ — the probability of exactly k successes in n independent yes/no trials, each succeeding with probability p.
What is the probability of exactly 3 heads in 10 flips?
C(10,3) = 120 ways, each with probability 0.5¹⁰ = 1/1024, so 120÷1024 ≈ 0.1172, or 11.7%.
When does the binomial distribution apply?
Fixed number of trials, each independent, each with the same success probability, and only two outcomes per trial — coin flips, defect counts, conversion tests.
What are the mean and variance?
Mean = np and variance = np(1−p). For n = 10, p = 0.5: mean 5, variance 2.5, SD ≈ 1.58.
Can it handle large n without overflow?
Yes — the coefficient is computed with log-gamma arithmetic, so n in the hundreds stays exact to double precision rather than overflowing factorials.
How do I run a binomial test for significance?
A binomial test asks whether your observed successes could plausibly come from an assumed probability. Example: 34 heads in 50 flips of a supposedly fair coin — the probability of 34 or more is the sum of binomial probabilities P(X ≥ 34) ≈ 0.008, so two-tailed p ≈ 0.016 and the fair-coin hypothesis looks shaky. Compute each term with the binomial formula here and sum the tail.

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