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Calculators/Maths/Bilinear interpolation
Maths

Bilinear interpolation calculator

Estimates a value at a point inside a rectangular grid from the four surrounding known values.

What this calculator does

Bilinear interpolation works out estimates a value at a point inside a rectangular grid from the four surrounding known values. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.

The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.

The formula

FormulaP = Q11(x2−x)(y2−y) + Q21(x−x1)(y2−y) + Q12(x2−x)(y−y1) + Q22(x−x1)(y−y1), all divided by (x2−x1)(y2−y1)

The inputs explained

FieldWhat to enter
x1A number. Starts at 0.
x2A number. Starts at 10.
y1A number. Starts at 0.
y2A number. Starts at 10.
Value at (x1, y1)A number. Starts at 20.
Value at (x2, y1)A number. Starts at 30.
Value at (x1, y2)A number. Starts at 40.
Value at (x2, y2)A number. Starts at 60.
Target xA number. Starts at 4.
Target yA number. Starts at 6.

Worked examples

Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.

How the answer changes with x1

Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while x1 varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.

How the answer changes with x1
x1Interpolated value PTarget pointFormula used
137.3334, 6P = [Q11(x2−x)(y2−y) + Q21(x−x1)(y2−y) + Q12(x2−x)(y−y1) + Q22(x−x1)(y−y1)] / [(x2−x1)(y2−y1)]
236.0004, 6P = [Q11(x2−x)(y2−y) + Q21(x−x1)(y2−y) + Q12(x2−x)(y−y1) + Q22(x−x1)(y−y1)] / [(x2−x1)(y2−y1)]
5N/AN/AN/A
10N/AN/AN/A
20N/AN/AN/A
50N/AN/AN/A