R chartAn R-chart is a type of control chart used to monitor the process variability (as the range) when measuring small subgroups (n ≤ 10) at regular intervals from a process.

Each point on the chart represents the value of a subgroup range.

The center line for each subgroup is the expected value of the range statistic. Note that the center line varies when the subgroup sizes are unequal.

The control limits are either:

A multiple (k) of sigma above and below the center line. Default k=3.
Probability limits, defined as the probability (alpha) of a point exceeding the limits. Default alpha=0.27%.

If unspecified, the process sigma is the weighted average of the unbiased subgroup estimates of sigma based on the range statistics.

For small subgroup sizes with k-sigma control limits the lower limit is zero in many situations due to the asymmetric distribution of the range statistic. In these cases, probability limits may be more appropriate.

Related concepts

S chart

Which control chart do you need?

Reading out-of-control signals

Related tasks

Creating a Xbar-R / S control chart

Related information

Montgomery, D. C. (2012). Introduction to statistical quality control. John Wiley & Sons.

Ryan, T. P. (2011). Statistical methods for quality improvement. John Wiley & Sons.

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