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spurious correlations

correlation is not causation

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A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Blanca and the second variable is Robberies in Texas. The chart goes from 1985 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #2,498

The White Robbery: Unraveling the Correlation Between the Popularity of the Name Blanca and Robberies in Texas
As the popularity of the name Blanca decreased, there were fewer people named Blanca in Texas. This led to a significant decline in the formation of all-female heist crews, who were notorious for their daring Texas bank robberies. With fewer Blanca's participating, the overall violent crime rate in Texas naturally saw a decrease.



What else correlates?
Popularity of the first name Blanca · all first names
Robberies in Texas · all random state specific
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The number of movies Amy Poehler appeared in and the second variable is Popularity of the 'whip nae nae' meme. The chart goes from 2015 to 2023, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #5,865

Whip it Good: The Amy Poehler Effect on the 'Whip Nae Nae' Meme Phenomenon
As the number of movies Amy Poehler appeared in decreased, there were less Leslie Knope-inspired dance moves to go around. This led to a shortage in quirky, yet endearing dance materials, ultimately causing a decline in the popularity of the 'whip nae nae' meme.



What else correlates?
The number of movies Amy Poehler appeared in · all films & actors
Popularity of the 'whip nae nae' meme · all memes
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Google searches for 'Taylor Swift' and the second variable is Fossil fuel use in British Virgin Islands. The chart goes from 2006 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #5,825

Shake It Off: Unearthing the Correlation between Taylor Swift Searches and Fossil Fuel Usage in British Virgin Islands
As Taylor Swift's music and drama captivated the residents of British Virgin Islands, they found themselves embroiled in a whirlwind of emotions. In an attempt to power through the heartbreaks and shake off the bad vibes, they impulsively cranked up their air conditioners, leading to a surge in fossil fuel use. It seems that in this island paradise, Taylor's chart-topping hits inadvertently became the soundtrack to unsustainable energy consumption.



What else correlates?
Google searches for 'Taylor Swift' · all google searches
Fossil fuel use in British Virgin Islands · all energy
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Number of public school students in 9th grade and the second variable is Bank of America's stock price (BAC). The chart goes from 2002 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #1,828

Number Crunching: The 9th Grade Effect on Bank of America's Stock Price
As the number of 9th graders enrolled in public school rises, so does the demand for school supplies. This spike in demand leads to an unexpected boon for Bank of America, as students and parents rush to open new savings accounts to budget for the academic year. It's truly a case of BAC-to-school banking, where even the slightest increase in young scholars translates to greater interest in the stock market.



What else correlates?
Number of public school students in 9th grade · all education
Bank of America's stock price (BAC) · all stocks
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Searches for 'never gonna give you up' and the second variable is Google searches for 'who is elon musk'. The chart goes from 2006 to 2023, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #4,986

Rickrolling Over Elon: A Meme-orable Correlation
As the 'never gonna give you up' meme gained traction, more and more people couldn't resist clicking on mysterious links, leading them down internet rabbit holes. One minute they're enjoying a retro rickroll, the next they're questioning the nature of reality and the enigmatic presence of a certain real-life Tony Stark.



What else correlates?
Searches for 'never gonna give you up' · all memes
Google searches for 'who is elon musk' · all google searches
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The number of physicists in California and the second variable is Michael Schumacher's Formula One Ranking. The chart goes from 2003 to 2012, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #3,705

Physics Folks and Schumacher's Strokes: The Link Between California Physicists and Formula One Rankings
As the number of physicists in California rose, so did the development of advanced car technology. These physicists were really driving innovation in the automotive industry, leading to faster and more efficient race cars. It seems they were the ones who truly understood the physics of speed, propelling Michael Schumacher to higher rankings. It was a case of Golden State of Mind meets Pole Position!



What else correlates?
The number of physicists in California · all cccupations
Michael Schumacher's Formula One Ranking · all weird & wacky
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The distance between Uranus and the moon and the second variable is Electricity generation in Japan. The chart goes from 1980 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #2,730

The Lunar Shock: Exploring the Uranus-Moon Distance and Electricity Generation in Japan
The gravitational tug-of-war between Uranus and the moon created cosmic ripples that energized Earth's magnetic field, leading to a boost in electricity generation in Japan. As the celestial dance unfolded, the power networks on our planet found themselves unexpectedly charged up, proving once and for all that when it comes to electricity, even astronomical distances can't keep the spark away!



What else correlates?
The distance between Uranus and the moon · all planets
Electricity generation in Japan · all energy
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Associates degrees awarded in History and the second variable is Centene's stock price (CNC). The chart goes from 2011 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #2,709

: Historical Histories: A Hilarious Hodgepodge of Associates degrees and Centene's Stock Price
As the number of history buffs with Associate's degrees rises, so does their appreciation for the importance of coverage. It's like these grads are creating a health insurance Renaissance, leading to a boom in demand for Centene's services. It's clear that when it comes to shaping Centene's success, these history-minded individuals are making a real, ahistorical impact on the stock price.



What else correlates?
Associates degrees awarded in History · all education
Centene's stock price (CNC) · all stocks
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The number of mobile heavy equipment mechanics in Maine and the second variable is Customer satisfaction with Verizon. The chart goes from 2004 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #1,149

The Maine Connection: Heavy Equipment Mechanics and How They Mechanically Impact Customer Satisfaction with Verizon
As the number of mobile heavy equipment mechanics in Maine rises, so does the overall morale of the state. With their expert skills and can-do attitude, these mechanics inadvertently spread a wave of positivity across Maine, leading to a general sense of contentment and happiness. As a result, people find themselves more patient and understanding, including when it comes to their experiences with Verizon. It's as if the mechanics are not only fixing heavy equipment, but also mending any potential frustrations with phone services. Who knew that the key to improving customer satisfaction with Verizon in Maine lay in the grease-stained hands of these mobile mechanics? It's clear that their impact goes beyond just machinery - they're providing a smooth ride for telecommunications too!



What else correlates?
The number of mobile heavy equipment mechanics in Maine · all cccupations
Customer satisfaction with Verizon · all weird & wacky
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Votes for Libertarian Senators in Kansas and the second variable is Google searches for 'two day shipping'. The chart goes from 2004 to 2020, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #4,624

Libertarian Votes and Google Quotes: The Great Debate on Two-Day Shipping in Kansas State Senatorial Elections
As more Libertarian Senators were elected in Kansas, they advocated for less government regulation. This led to a significant deregulation of the shipping industry, allowing for more efficient and speedy delivery options. It's as if they said, "Let's deliver freedom and free markets, pronto!" The increase in competition and innovation among shipping companies ultimately made two day shipping more widely available, much to the delight of online shoppers everywhere.



What else correlates?
Votes for Libertarian Senators in Kansas · all elections
Google searches for 'two day shipping' · all google searches
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The number of movies Will Smith appeared in and the second variable is Electricity generation in Kosovo. The chart goes from 2008 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #5,860

Switching on Will Power: An Electrifying Connection Between Will Smith's Filmography and Electricity Generation in Kosovo
Will Smith's on-screen charisma and megawatt smile evidently sparked a surge in motivation among the people of Kosovo. As they tuned in to watch his performances, they couldn't help but feel charged up and full of energy. It's as if his blockbuster presence somehow electrified the nation, leading to a rewiring of productivity and a fresh power play in the realm of electricity generation. It's a shocking connection, but it seems that when it comes to boosting power production in Kosovo, Will Smith's roles truly have the spark!



What else correlates?
The number of movies Will Smith appeared in · all films & actors
Electricity generation in Kosovo · all energy
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is UFO sightings in Utah and the second variable is Patents granted in the US. The chart goes from 1975 to 2020, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #1,116

Interstellar Innovation: Exploring the Correlation Between UFO Sightings in Utah and US Patent Grants
The UFOs were actually advanced technology created by Utah residents, and as their inventions caught the attention of extraterrestrial beings, the aliens couldn't help but file patents for the incredible gadgets and gizmos they saw. It's a classic case of the universe recognizing true innovation, and Utah's UFO enthusiasts inadvertently becoming the ultimate source of inspiration for otherworldly inventors. Who knew that the key to unlocking groundbreaking ideas was simply to think beyond the stars?



What else correlates?
UFO sightings in Utah · all random state specific
Patents granted in the US · all weird & wacky
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the first name Lane and the second variable is The number of merchandise displayers and window trimmers in Alaska. The chart goes from 2003 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #3,239

Alaskan Visual Merchandising: The Lane of Name Popularity
As the name Lane gained popularity, more and more parents couldn't resist naming their kids after the charming lanes they encountered. This led to a sudden surge in demand for decorative displays and window trims to match the picturesque imagery associated with the name. It's like a real-life lane transformation, turning the streets and storefronts of Alaska into stunning, Lane-themed avenues of style and panache, because when it comes to enhancing the visual appeal, you can always count on a Lane to lead the way!



What else correlates?
Popularity of the first name Lane · all first names
The number of merchandise displayers and window trimmers in Alaska · all cccupations
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is Popularity of the 'balloon boy' meme and the second variable is Wind power generated in Fiji. The chart goes from 2009 to 2021, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #5,125

Gone with the Wind: The Balloon Boy Meme's Inflated Influence on Fiji's Wind Power Generation
As the 'balloon boy' meme deflated in popularity, it created a shortage of hot air in the online space. This shortage of hot air somehow led to a decrease in wind power generated in Fiji, leaving the whole situation quite up in the air.



What else correlates?
Popularity of the 'balloon boy' meme · all memes
Wind power generated in Fiji · all energy
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The distance between Uranus and the Sun and the second variable is Global count of operating nuclear power plants. The chart goes from 1975 to 2022, and the two variables track closely in value over that time. Small Image
View details about correlation #1,185

Uncovering the Cosmic Correlation: The Orbital Distance between Uranus and the Sun and the Global Count of Operating Nuclear Power Plants
As Uranus moved further away, its gaseous emissions created a chain reaction of laughter among humans. This laughter somehow led to an increase in the construction of nuclear power plants as a misguided attempt to harness this newfound comedic energy. It turns out that Uranus's departure really did prompt a lot of "Uranus jokes," leading to a strange and unexpected boom in the nuclear power industry. I guess you could say that Uranus's influence on Earth's sense of humor was truly out of this world!



What else correlates?
The distance between Uranus and the Sun · all planets
Global count of operating nuclear power plants · all weird & wacky
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Why this works

  1. Data dredging: I have 25,237 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 636,906,169 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.” Fun fact: the chart used on the wikipedia page to demonstrate data dredging is also from me. I've been being naughty with data since 2014.
    Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead tossed a bunch of data in a blender to see what correlations would shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random.
  2. Lack of causal connection: There is probably no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above. Because these pages are automatically generated, it's possible that the two variables you are viewing are in fact causually related. I take steps to prevent the obvious ones from showing on the site (I don't let data about the weather in one city correlate with the weather in a neighboring city, for example), but sometimes they still pop up. If they are related, cool! You found a loophole.
    This is exacerbated by the fact that I used "Years" as the base variable. Lots of things happen in a year that are not related to each other! Most studies would use something like "one person" in stead of "one year" to be the "thing" studied.
  3. Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. You will often see trend-lines form. If a population of people is continuously doing something every day, there is no reason to think they would suddenly change how they are doing that thing on January 1. A naive p-value calculation does not take this into account. You will calculate a lower chance of "randomly" achieving the result than represents reality.

    To be more specific: p-value tests are probability values, where you are calculating the probability of achieving a result at least as extreme as you found completely by chance. When calculating a p-value, you need to assert how many "degrees of freedom" your variable has. I count each year (minus one) as a "degree of freedom," but this is misleading for continuous variables.

    This kind of thing can creep up on you pretty easily when using p-values, which is why it's best to take it as "one of many" inputs that help you assess the results of your analysis.
  4. Y-axes doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graphs above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
    Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. If you click on any of the charts that abuse this, you can scroll down to see a version that starts at zero.
  5. Confounding variable: Confounding variables (like global pandemics) will cause two variables to look connected when in fact a "sneaky third" variable is influencing both of them behind the scenes.
  6. Outliers: Some datasets here have outliers which drag up the correlation. In concept, "outlier" just means "way different than the rest of your dataset." When calculating a correlation like this, they are particularly impactful because a single outlier can substantially increase your correlation.

    Because this page is automatically generated, I don't know whether any of the charts displayed on it have outliers. I'm just a footnote. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
    I intentionally mishandeled outliers, which makes the correlation look extra strong.
  7. Low n: There are not many data points included in some of these charts. You can do analyses with low ns! But you shouldn't data dredge with a low n.
    Even if the p-value is high, we should be suspicious of using so few datapoints in a correlation.

Pro-tip: click on any correlation to see:

Project by Tyler Vigen
emailme@tylervigen.com · about · subscribe


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