{"id":2161,"date":"2020-01-16T21:17:07","date_gmt":"2020-01-16T20:17:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-693453-2291131.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=2161"},"modified":"2023-04-22T00:19:18","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T22:19:18","slug":"accuracy-vs-precision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/","title":{"rendered":"Accuracy vs. Precision: What\u2019s The Difference Between Accuracy and Precision?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The main difference between <strong>A<\/strong><strong>ccuracy and <\/strong><strong>P<\/strong><strong>recision<\/strong> is that accuracy is the closeness of a particular measurement to the standard value, whereas precision is the closeness of a set of presented values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply put, accuracy measures correctness while precision measures exactness or the extent of reproducibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To the layman, accuracy and precision could be used interchangeably but to a person that requires scientific measurements, they are two different things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To describe how precise or accurate a value is, scientists use a simple calculation known as the percent error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6601732b1cbcc\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6601732b1cbcc\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#accuracy-versus-precision-comparison-table\" title=\"Accuracy versus Precision Comparison Table\">Accuracy versus Precision Comparison Table<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#what-is-accuracy\" title=\"What Is Accuracy?\">What Is Accuracy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#what-is-precision\" title=\"What Is Precision?\">What Is Precision?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#what-are-the-similarities-between-accuracy-and-precision\" title=\"What Are The Similarities Between Accuracy and Precision?\">What Are The Similarities Between Accuracy and Precision?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#accuracy-vs-precision-in-chemistry\" title=\"Accuracy vs. Precision in Chemistry\">Accuracy vs. Precision in Chemistry<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#accuracy-and-precision-worksheet\" title=\"Accuracy and Precision Worksheet\">Accuracy and Precision Worksheet<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#accuracy-and-precision-key-differences\" title=\"Accuracy And Precision Key Differences:\">Accuracy And Precision Key Differences:<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#definition\" title=\"Definition\">Definition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#what-they-stand-for\" title=\"What They Stand For?\">What They Stand For?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#degree\" title=\"Degree\">Degree<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#factors\" title=\"Factors\">Factors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#what-they-focus-on\" title=\"What They Focus On?\">What They Focus On?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#what-they-measure\" title=\"What They Measure?\">What They Measure?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#accuracy-vs-precision-comparison-chart\" title=\"Accuracy vs. Precision Comparison Chart\">Accuracy vs. Precision Comparison Chart<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#accuracy-and-precision-examples\" title=\"Accuracy and Precision Examples:\">Accuracy and Precision Examples:<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#example-1-of-accuracy-and-precision\" title=\"Example #1 of Accuracy and Precision\">Example #1 of Accuracy and Precision<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#example-2-of-accuracy-and-precision\" title=\"Example #2 of Accuracy and Precision\">Example #2 of Accuracy and Precision<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#comparison-video\" title=\"Comparison Video\">Comparison Video<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/accuracy-vs-precision\/#conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"accuracy-versus-precision-comparison-table\"><\/span>Accuracy versus Precision Comparison Table<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table alignfull is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong>Comparison Basis<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Accuracy<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Precision<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Definition<\/strong><\/td><td>Accuracy means the extent of agreement between the actual value and the absolute value.<\/td><td>Precision refers to the extent of variation within the values of several measurements of a particular factor.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>What it denotes?<\/strong><\/td><td>Accuracy stands for the closeness of agreement of a result to the standard value.<\/td><td>Precision stands for the closeness of the values with each other.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Factors<\/strong><\/td><td>Single factor.<\/td><td>Multiple factors.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Extent<\/strong><\/td><td>Extent of conformity.<\/td><td>Extent of reproducibility.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Measures<\/strong><\/td><td><br>Statistical bias<\/td><td><br>Statistical variation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Related to<\/strong><\/td><td>Systemic error<\/td><td>Random error<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-is-accuracy\"><\/span>What Is Accuracy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Accuracy is a term used to denote the extent to which a value complies with the standard measurement. It measures the correctness of a result when compared to the absolute value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means that the closer a measurement is to the standard value, the higher the degree of accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Accuracy depends on the manner in which data is collected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-is-precision\"><\/span>What Is Precision?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When measurements are repeated, precision shows the consistency in the results obtained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Precision can then be said to be the degree of uniformity or repeatability in measurements. It is a measure of excellence when the results of a technique or operation are obtained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When precision is high, it means the variation between the measurements was limited, and when values are precise they differ from one another due to random error, which is a type of observational error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-are-the-similarities-between-accuracy-and-precision\"><\/span>What Are The Similarities Between Accuracy and Precision?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When taking measurements, whether statistical or scientific, for engineering or research purposes, accuracy and precision are very important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both show the closeness of a measurement to an actual value. Accuracy shows the closeness of a measurement to a known standard, and precision shows the reproducibility of a set of measurements and does not matter how far they are from the standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"accuracy-vs-precision-in-chemistry\"><\/span>Accuracy vs. Precision in Chemistry<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the process of taking scientific measurements, accuracy and precision are very important.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Accuracy measures the closeness of a measurement to its true value and is imperative as poor data processing, bad equipment, and human error could generate results that are far from the truth, and therefore not accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Precision, however, measures the closeness of a series of values of the same factor in relation to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, when measurements are not precise, random errors may not be identified and a wide result might be obtained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"accuracy-and-precision-worksheet\"><\/span>Accuracy and Precision Worksheet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To determine whether a measurement is adequately accurate or precise, the percentage error calculation can be used. It is very important for a measurement to be both accurate and precise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"accuracy-and-precision-key-differences\"><\/span>Accuracy And Precision Key Differences:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The main differences between accuracy and precision are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"definition\"><\/span>Definition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Accuracy is the extent of agreement between the actual measurement and the standard measurement, whereas precision is the extent of variability between the values of several measurements of a particular factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-they-stand-for\"><\/span>What They Stand For?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Accuracy is the closeness of agreement of a result to the standard measurement, while precision measures the closeness of these values to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"degree\"><\/span>Degree<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While accuracy measures the degree of conformity of a measurement to the standard value, precision measures the degree of reproducibility and consistency of the values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"factors\"><\/span>Factors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Accuracy depends on one factor, where precision is based on multiple factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-they-focus-on\"><\/span>What They Focus On?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Accuracy is concerned with errors due to faulty instruments called systematic errors, while precision is focused on random errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-they-measure\"><\/span>What They Measure?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Accuracy measures statistical bias whereas precision measures the statistical variation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"accuracy-vs-precision-comparison-chart\"><\/span>Accuracy vs. Precision Comparison Chart<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/accuracy-vs-precision-Comparison-Chart.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/accuracy-vs-precision-Comparison-Chart-613x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Accuracy vs. Precision Comparison Chart\" class=\"wp-image-2169\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Accuracy and Precision Differences<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"accuracy-and-precision-examples\"><\/span>Accuracy and Precision Examples:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"example-1-of-accuracy-and-precision\"><\/span>Example #1 of Accuracy and Precision<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you repeatedly throw an arrow with the aim of hitting the center of the bull\u2019s eye, <strong>A<\/strong><strong>ccuracy<\/strong> is how close your arrow gets to your target: the bull\u2019s eye center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this case, <strong>Precision<\/strong> is when you continue to hit the same spot over and over again and it may not necessarily be the center of the bull\u2019s eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"example-2-of-accuracy-and-precision\"><\/span>Example #2 of Accuracy and Precision<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is another example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the correct answer to a problem is 2 and five students got&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2, 2.2, 2.5, 1.9 and 1.95,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>you can say that there is <strong>A<\/strong><strong>ccuracy<\/strong> in their answer because the values are all close to 2, which is the correct answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if the correct answer is 6 and one person gets 5.9 and the others got much higher or lower values, then the student who got 5.9 is more accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, if the five students each got&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>10, 10.1, 9.8, 11, and 9,&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>the values are <strong>P<\/strong><strong>recise<\/strong> or close to each other but not accurate as they cannot be compared to 2, which is the correct answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When measurements are both accurate and precise, it means they are both reproducible and also very close to the standard values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"comparison-video\"><\/span>Comparison Video<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Accuracy and Precision | It&#039;s Easy!\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KEeSQvMCPLg?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.difference101.com\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption>Accuracy vs. Precision Explanation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In conclusion, it should be noted that if a measurement has high accuracy and precision, the results obtained will be error-free. However, if the actual measurement is not accurate but it is precise, the result will not be close to the standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, if a measurement is accurate but not precise, there will be great variations in the measurements. If there is neither precision nor accuracy in the actual measurement, then the results obtained will neither be correct nor exact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When taking any measurement, accuracy and precision should be your goal as they are very pertinent to good measurements in science.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Image Courtesy:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Photo by Bill Oxford on Unsplash<\/li><li>Photo by Andrea Sonda on Unsplash<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The main difference between Accuracy and Precision is that accuracy is the closeness of a particular measurement to the standard value, whereas precision is the closeness of a set of presented values.<br \/>\nSimply put, accuracy measures correctness while precision measures exactness or the extent of reproducibility.<br \/>\nTo the layman, accuracy and precision could be used interchangeably but to a person that requires scientific measurements, they are two different things.<br \/>\nTo describe how precise or accurate a value is, scientists use a simple calculation known as the percent error.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2166,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[113],"tags":[118,119],"offerexpiration":[],"lang":"en","translations":{"en":2161,"fr":6191,"de":10961},"pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2161"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2161"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2161\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10921,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2161\/revisions\/10921"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2161"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2161"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2161"},{"taxonomy":"offerexpiration","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/offerexpiration?post=2161"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}