Factor Loading
A strong factor loading is .70 or higher; .50 to .70 is often retained with justification, and below .40 to .50 is usually a candidate for removal. A factor loading is the estimated relationship between an observed indicator and the latent factor it is meant to measure.
What it means
A standardized loading works like a correlation between the item and its latent factor: the higher it is, the more the item reflects the construct. The squared loading is the share of the item's variance the factor explains.
Why it matters
Loadings drive convergent validity, AVE and composite reliability. Weak or non-significant loadings mean an item adds little, and they show up in both EFA and CFA.
How to report it
Report standardized loadings and their significance. A loading of ≥ .70 is strong (it explains about half the item's variance); .50 to .70 is often retained with justification; below .40 to .50 is usually a candidate for removal.
Reference table
| Cutoff | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| ≥ .70 | Strong |
| .50 to .70 | Often retained with justification |
| below .40 to .50 | Usually a candidate for removal |
Frequently asked questions
What is a good factor loading?
A standardized loading of .70 or above is strong, because the factor then explains about half the item's variance. Loadings between .50 and .70 may be kept if they support reliability and validity.
Should I drop items with low loadings?
Low or non-significant loadings (often below .40 to .50) are candidates for removal, but check the effect on AVE, reliability and content coverage before dropping an item.
How to cite this page
If this page helped your research, you can cite it (APA 7):
Szymkowiak, A. (2026). Factor Loading. Explonia. https://explonia.com/glossary/factor-loading/
Last updated: July 2026
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