SEM Sample Size Calculator

Estimate the minimum sample size for your Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) project using rule-based and literature-backed methods.

Choose SEM Method: Covariance-Based SEM (CB-SEM) Partial Least Squares SEM (PLS-SEM) Number of Predictors: Estimated Number of Indicators: Estimated Parameters to Estimate:

📌 Example 1: CB-SEM

Scenario: 4 latent variables, each with 5 indicators → 20 indicators. Estimated 30 model parameters.
Steps: Choose CB-SEM, enter Predictors: 4, Indicators: 20, Parameters: 30.
Result: 300 samples (Kline, 2016)

📌 Example 2: PLS-SEM

Scenario: Most complex latent variable has 6 predictors. Total 18 indicators.
Steps: Choose PLS-SEM, enter Predictors: 6, Indicators: 18, Parameters: 30.
Result: 100 samples minimum (Hair et al., 2011)

References:
Kline, R. B. (2016). Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling (4th ed.). Guilford Press. [WoS]
Hair, J. F., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2011). PLS-SEM: Indeed a Silver Bullet. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 19(2), 139–152. [WoS/Scopus]
MacCallum, R. C., Browne, M. W., & Sugawara, H. M. (1996). Power analysis and determination of sample size for covariance structure modeling. Psychological Methods, 1(2), 130–149. [WoS]