Quota Sample Calculator

Allocate a sample across quota shares with largest-remainder rounding. Quota sampling is non-probability sampling, and no margin of error is computed.

The Quota Sample Calculator assigns a requested sample total across quota shares. It requires the entered shares to sum to 100% and uses largest-remainder rounding so the whole-number group allocations preserve the total sample size.

Quota sampling is a non-probability method. This calculator does not compute a margin of error or treat quota groups as a probability sample.

Enter the total whole-number sample size.
Enter a percentage share for each of 2 to 8 quota groups.
Make sure the shares sum to exactly 100%.
Review the exact quotas and rounded group allocations.

Quota allocation formula

Exact quotaₕ = n × shareₕ / 100.

Whole-number quotas use largest-remainder rounding; ties go to the earlier group row.

Reading quota allocations

Rounded group counts preserve the total

The exact quota is shown alongside each whole-number allocation. The allocated total should match the requested sample size. These are quota counts, not random-selection probabilities.

Statistics tips and best practices

Check that the share total is 100% before comparing group counts.
Use the same definitions for quota groups as those used in fieldwork.
Describe the result as a quota allocation, not a probability-sample margin of error.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using shares that do not sum to 100%.
Rounding each exact quota independently and ending with the wrong total.
Reporting a margin of error for a non-probability quota sample.

Quota allocation does not make a sample random or representative. This page allocates counts only and does not calculate a margin of error.