Sigma Conversion Chart
The chart below shows the theoretical defect rates that can be expected from various sigma levels, assuming that the underlying data is normally distributed.
This chart can be used in a couple of different ways –
- For continuous data collected over the short term, calculate the sigma level and find the value in the Short Term Sigma Level column. The theoretical defect level over the long run is noted in the Defects Per Million column. If data has been collected over sufficient time to include long term variation sources, use the Long Term Sigma Level column.
- In cases where attribute data exists (typically in the form of % defective), it is sometimes desirable to know the equivalent sigma level for the process, even though the data may not follow a normal distribution. In these cases, convert the known defect rate into a defects-per-million value and find it on the chart. The sigma level can then be found in either of the two sigma level columns, depending on whether the defect rate represents short or long term data.
Note that the long term sigma value is 1.5 less than the short term sigma value, to account for a 1.5 sigma mean shift over the long run.