Column Space Calculator

Column Space Calculator

Find the basis for the column space, the rank, and the nullity of a matrix.

Last updated: 2026-06-09T06:07:06.695Z

Enter matrix entries as valid numbers. Invalid entries are rejected.

Column space

Rank

3

Nullity

0

Pivot columns
column 1, column 2, column 3

Basis vectors

v1: [1, 0, 0]
v2: [0, 1, 0]
v3: [0, 0, 1]
Row-echelon form
[1, 0, 0]
[0, 1, 0]
[0, 0, 1]

What is column space?

The column space is the span of a matrix's columns. Its dimension equals the matrix rank, and the pivot columns of the original matrix give a basis.

How to use it

1

Set the dimensions

Pick the number of rows and columns you want to analyze.

2

Enter matrix entries

Invalid cells are rejected rather than becoming zero.

3

Read the basis

The result panel shows the rank, nullity, pivot columns, and basis vectors.

Worked example

Matrix with columns [1, 2, 3], [2, 4, 6], [3, 6, 9]

The column space is one-dimensional, so a basis is [1, 2, 3].

Frequently asked questions

Can the column space be empty?

No. It always contains the zero vector.

How do I find the basis?

Reduce the matrix to row echelon form, then take the original pivot columns.

What is nullity?

Nullity is the number of free variables, equal to columns minus rank.

Why are pivot columns important?

They identify the independent columns that span the column space.

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