XBarR chart

XBarR chart

XBarR chart (X-Bar and Range chart) is a type of control chart used in statistical process control to monitor the mean and variation of a process when data is collected in subgroups of 2 to 25 observations. It consists of two charts: the X-Bar chart tracking subgroup means and the R chart tracking subgroup ranges.


Map the data fields

  • Subgroup/Lot: This field represents the subgroup identifier. All observations sharing the same subgroup value are grouped together.
  • Process Value: This field contains the individual measurement value for each observation within a subgroup.
  • UCL (SPC Variable): Optional field for custom upper control limits for the SPC Variable (X̄) series.
  • LCL (SPC Variable): Optional field for custom lower control limits for the SPC Variable (X̄) series.
  • Central line (SPC Variable): Optional field for custom center line values for the SPC Variable (X̄) series.
  • UCL (SPC Range): Optional field for custom upper control limits for the SPC Range (R) series.
  • LCL (SPC Range): Optional field for custom lower control limits for the SPC Range (R) series.
  • Central line (SPC Range): Optional field for custom center line values for the SPC Range (R) series.

Calculation Methodology

The XBarR chart requires subgroup sizes between 2 and 25. Calculations are performed as follows:


Subgroup Mean (x̄ᵢ)

x̄ᵢ = Sum of all values in subgroup i / Number of observations in subgroup i

Subgroup Range (Rᵢ)

Rᵢ = Maximum value in subgroup i − Minimum value in subgroup i

Grand Mean (X̿)

X̿ = Sum of all subgroup means / Number of subgroups (k)

Average Range (R̄)

R̄ = Sum of all subgroup ranges / Number of subgroups (k)

Control Limits — X-Bar Chart


Upper Control Limit (UCL):

UCL = X̿ + A2 × R̄

Lower Control Limit (LCL):

LCL = X̿ - A2 × R̄

Center Line (CL):

CL = X̿

A2 Constants Table

nA2nA2
21.880140.235
31.023150.223
40.729160.212
50.577170.203
60.483180.194
70.419190.187
80.373200.180
90.337210.173
100.308220.167
110.285230.162
120.266240.157
130.249250.153

Notes:

  • If custom limits are provided, they override the calculated values
  • Subgroup size (n) must be between 2 and 25
  • The plotted value on the X-Bar chart is the subgroup mean, not individual observations
  • XBarR is preferred over XBarS when subgroup sizes are small (typically n ≤ 8)