What is R-squared in Linear Regression?

Updated May 16, 2026

Short answer

R-squared measures how well the model explains variance in the target variable.

Deep explanation

It ranges from 0 to 1 and indicates the proportion of variance explained by predictors. Higher values mean better fit but not necessarily better generalization.

Real-world example

Evaluating housing price prediction models.

Common mistakes

  • Over-relying on R² without checking residuals.

Follow-up questions

  • What is adjusted R-squared?

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