You can easily find the critical t value given the significance level alpha with our . If you want to find the critical t value by using a table with critical t values, instructions are given below.

Assuming a table with a row per degrees of freedom and a column per upper tail probability


Two sided

Reject the null hypothesis if the observed $t$ falls in one of the two most extreme $\alpha$ / 2 areas of the $t$ distribution. In order to find the critical values $t^*$ and $-t^*$ that correspond to these tail areas:

  1. Find the row with the appropriate number of degrees of freedom (df)
  2. Find the column for the upper tail probability equal to $\alpha / 2$
  3. At the intersection point of this row and column, you find the positive critical value $t^*$. Observed $t$ values that are at least as extreme as $t^*$ (positive or negative), are significant. In other words, observed $t$ values that are equal to or larger than $t^*$, and observed $t$ values that are equal to or smaller than $-t^*$, lead to rejection of the null hypothesis

Critical t value given alpha - two sided
Right sided

Reject the null hypothesis if the observed $t$ falls in the highest $\alpha$ area of the $t$ distribution. In order to find the critical value $t^*$ that corresponds to this upper tail area:

  1. Find the row with the appropriate number of degrees of freedom (df)
  2. Find the column for the upper tail probability equal to $\alpha$
  3. At the intersection point of this row and column, you find the critical value $t^*$. Observed $t$ values that are equal to or larger than $t^*$, lead to rejection of the null hypothesis
Critical t value given alpha - right sided
Left sided

Reject the null hypothesis if the observed $t$ falls in the lowest $\alpha$ area of the $t$ distribution. In order to find the critical value $t^*$ that corresponds to this lower tail area:

  1. Find the row with the appropriate number of degrees of freedom (df)
  2. Find the column for the upper tail probability equal to $\alpha$
  3. Multiply the value at the intersection point of this row and column, by -1. The resulting value is the critical value $t^*$. Observed $t$ values that are equal to or smaller than $t^*$, lead to rejection of the null hypothesis
Critical t value given alpha - left sided