Calculate the concordance index, concordant pairs, discordant pairs, or total comparable pairs by entering any three values and inferring ties.

Concordance Index Calculator

Enter exactly 3 values to calculate the missing variable (ties are inferred as T = Total − Concordant − Discordant).

Related Calculators

Concordance Index Formula

The concordance index, or C-index, measures how often a model correctly ranks comparable pairs. This calculator treats tied pairs as half correct and infers ties from the total number of comparable pairs.

T = N - C - D
C - index = (C + 0.5T) / (N)
C - index = 0.5 + (C - D) / (2N)

Rearranged formulas used when a different field is missing:

C = D + 2N(C - index - 0.5)
D = C - 2N(C - index - 0.5)
N = (C - D) / (2(C - index) - 1)
  • C = number of concordant pairs
  • D = number of discordant pairs
  • T = number of tied pairs, inferred as total minus concordant minus discordant
  • N = total number of comparable pairs
  • C-index = concordance index, ranging from 0 to 1

If you leave the C-index blank, the calculator finds it from the concordant pairs, discordant pairs, and total comparable pairs. If you leave C, D, or N blank, it rearranges the same C-index relationship to solve for the missing value. In all cases, ties are inferred as T = N − C − D, so the total must be at least as large as concordant plus discordant pairs.

Concordance Index Interpretation

C-index value General meaning Pair-ranking interpretation
1.00 Perfect concordance Every comparable pair is ranked correctly.
0.70 to 0.90 Strong discrimination Most comparable pairs are ranked correctly.
0.50 No better than chance Concordant and discordant information balances out.
Below 0.50 Worse than chance ranking The model more often ranks comparable pairs in the wrong order.

Pair Type Summary

Pair type Symbol How it affects the C-index
Concordant pair C Counts as 1 correct ranking.
Discordant pair D Counts as 0 correct ranking.
Tied pair T Counts as 0.5 correct ranking.
Comparable pairs N Used as the denominator for the index.

Example Calculations

Example 1: Calculate the C-index

Suppose you have 70 concordant pairs, 20 discordant pairs, and 100 total comparable pairs.

T = 100 - 70 - 20 = 10
C - index = (70 + 0.5(10)) / (100) = (75) / (100) = 0.75

The C-index is 0.75.

Example 2: Calculate the number of discordant pairs

Suppose you know there are 65 concordant pairs, 100 total comparable pairs, and the C-index is 0.70.

D = C - 2N(C - index - 0.5)
D = 65 - 2(100)(0.70 - 0.5) = 65 - 40 = 25

The number of discordant pairs is 25. The inferred ties are 100 − 65 − 25 = 10.

FAQ

What is a concordance index?

A concordance index is a measure of ranking accuracy for comparable pairs. A pair is concordant when the predicted ordering agrees with the observed ordering. A C-index of 1 means perfect ranking, 0.5 means chance-level ranking, and values below 0.5 mean the rankings are more often reversed than correct.

How are ties handled in this calculator?

Ties are not entered directly. They are inferred from the total number of comparable pairs:

T = N - C - D

Each tied pair contributes half credit in the C-index formula. For example, 10 tied pairs add 5 to the numerator.

Why can some inputs be inconsistent?

The values must describe a possible set of comparable pairs. Concordant and discordant counts cannot be negative, the C-index must be between 0 and 1, and the total number of comparable pairs must be at least C + D. If a calculation would produce negative ties, a negative pair count, or a total that does not fit the formula, the inputs are inconsistent.