Understanding Sensitivity (True Positive Rate)
How we calculate. Sensitivity % = true positives ÷ (true positives + false negatives) × 100. See our methodology and accuracy policy .
Real-world scenario: A typical Sensitivity (True Positive Rate) case uses true positives (tp) 90 and false negatives (fn) 10. Enter the same figures below to reproduce the worked path.
What is Sensitivity (True Positive Rate)?
A classification/diagnostic metric focused on catching positives. Pair with specificity for the full picture.
- Needs labeled outcomes
- High sensitivity reduces missed positives
- May raise false alarms
The Formula
Worked Example
Common Use Cases
- Screening tests: catch rate
- ML classifiers: recall
- Fraud detection: true-hit coverage
Pro Tips
- Report with specificity
- Watch class imbalance
- Thresholds change TPR
| Scenario | When to use |
|---|---|
| Percent of a number | Finding a part of a whole (tax, tip, score) |
| Percent change | Comparing old vs new values |
Limitations: Sensitivity (True Positive Rate) results are educational statistics aids—not formal statistical certification. Confirm assumptions (SRS, large-sample approximations, labeling) for your analysis.
Common mistakes
- Swapping part and whole: The denominator must be the full total, not a subset.
- Rounding too early: Carry extra decimal places through multi-step work before rounding the final percent.
- Mixing percent and decimal forms: Enter rates in the format the calculator labels expect.
When to use this calculator
- Use this page when your wording matches sensitivity rate and the form labels on screen.
- Use percent of a number for “what is X% of Y?” problems.
- Use number is what percent when you know part and whole and need the percent.
Still unsure about sensitivity rate? Start with the quick answer above, then open the linked calculator that matches your wording.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use this sensitivity rate calculator?
For sensitivity rate, enter the values labeled on the form, then press Calculate. Compare the result to the worked example on this page.
What formula does this page use?
See the quick answer and formula box above for sensitivity rate—the same percentage calculator expression is applied to your inputs.
What if my result looks wrong?
When checking sensitivity rate, re-check part vs whole (or rate vs base), rounding, and whether percents were entered as 25 rather than 0.25 when the form expects percents.
Authoritative References
For statistical definitions and survey practice, consult: