Lower Fence Calculator

Enter data and choose a multiplier to calculate the lower fence (Q1 − k × IQR) for identifying potential outliers.

Default 1.5 for Tukey fences; 3.0 for extreme outliers.

Q1: 15.7500

Q3: 29.2500

IQR: 13.5000

Lower fence: -4.5000

Values below fence: None detected

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your dataset values.
  2. Select an outlier multiplier k (1.5 for standard fences).
  3. Review the computed quartiles, IQR, and lower fence.
  4. Investigate any data points flagged as below the lower fence.

Formula

Q1 = 25th percentile

Q3 = 75th percentile

IQR = Q3 − Q1

Lower fence = Q1 − k × IQR

Full Description

Boxplot fences help flag potential outliers in numerical data. The lower fence marks the threshold below which values may be considered unusually low, aiding exploratory data analysis and quality control procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What multiplier should I use?

k = 1.5 is common for mild outliers. k = 3 identifies extreme outliers.

Does the method depend on data distribution?

No. Boxplot fences are non-parametric and apply to any distribution, though interpretation depends on context.

How are quartiles computed?

The calculator uses an inclusive method with linear interpolation to handle fractional positions.

Are flagged points always errors?

Not necessarily. Outliers may be legitimate observations. Investigate them rather than automatically removing them.