---
title: Empirical Cumulative Distribution Function (ECDF)
description: "A cumulative distribution the \"empirical\" indicates that is based on data not on the definition of a theoretical distribution (on a \"distribution generating function\"). See entry for [cumulative distribution](https://www.psyctc.org/psyctc/glossary2/cumulative-distribution/) and the resources indexed there. #### Online resources * [App creating…"
url: "https://www.psyctc.org/psyctc/glossary2/empirical-cumulative-distribution-function-ecdf/"
updated: "2024-05-06"
category: All OM book glossary entries
---

# Empirical Cumulative Distribution Function (ECDF)

A cumulative distribution the "empirical" indicates that is based on data not on the definition of a theoretical distribution (on a "distribution generating function"). See entry for [cumulative distribution](https://www.psyctc.org/psyctc/glossary2/cumulative-distribution/) and the resources indexed there.

#### Online resources

* [App creating samples from Gaussian distribution](https://shiny.psyctc.org/apps/Gaussian1/) showing histogram, ecdf and qqplot
* [App that takes data](https://shiny.psyctc.org/apps/ECDFplot/), pasted in or uploaded in various formats, and plots the ecdf with confidence intervals for quantiles of your choosing!

#### Dates

First created 8.xii.23, tweaked 6.v.24.