Spurious Correlations shows charts of real data with unusual correlations and highlights that correlation does not establish causation.

tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations
spurious correlations homepage screenshot

About spurious correlations

Spurious Correlations publishes charts of real data that pair unrelated variables to show that correlation is not causation. Users can browse correlations, view details and scatterplots, see what else correlates with a variable, view a random correlation, and read Spurious Scholar papers based on the correlations.

The site states it compares 25,237 variables in 636,906,169 calculations through data dredging. Pages are automatically generated using years as the base variable, so some pairs shown may in fact be related.

Key features

  • Charts pairing unrelated variables from real datasets
  • Detail pages for individual correlations with scatterplots
  • Random correlation viewer and discovery tool
  • Lists of related correlations by variable category
  • Spurious Scholar research paper versions of correlations
  • Explanation of data dredging method
Best for: People looking for examples that show correlation does not establish causation.
Good for
  • Uses real data for the correlations
  • Explains data dredging and lack of causal connection
  • Covers many topics such as names, food, stocks, and weather
Watch out for
  • Pages are automatically generated and may show variables that are actually related
  • Uses years as the base variable, so unrelated yearly events can appear correlated

spurious correlations at a glance

Type
Website
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
Web
Open source
Not stated
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026

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spurious correlations FAQ

Why do unrelated variables show strong correlations on the site?
The site compares 25,237 variables against each other, which produces 636,906,169 calculations. With a large dataset, strong correlations can occur at random through data dredging.
Are any of the correlated variables actually related?
They can be. Pages are automatically generated, and while the site filters obvious pairs such as weather in neighboring cities, some related pairs still appear.
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