Lift Chart
Definition
A lift chart shows how much a ranking or classification model concentrates relevant cases compared to a random selection.
Typically, sorted model scores are considered in groups and compared with baseline expectation. Definitions may vary by tool.
Simply explained
How to demonstrate whether the top cases prioritized by the model actually contain significantly more hits.
Why it matters in practice
Relevant for lead scoring, churn, fraud, and marketing models.
Example from business
A lead score shows how many actual conversions lie within the top 10% of scores.
Limits and pitfalls
- Plot training data; ignore class distribution; consider lift without calibration or costs.
Origin & history
Lift and gains charts are established tools in direct marketing and predictive modeling.
Use in mid-sized companies
- Possible application in SMEs: compare prioritization models against random and simple rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is high lift automatically good calibration?
No. What is the chart suitable for? For ranking/prioritization quality.
Sources
- plot_lift_curve · scikit-plot, plot_lift_curve
- Implementierung von Gains- und Lift-Kurve · scikit-plot, Implementierung von Gains- und Lift-Kurve
Sources checked on 12.10.2026.
Editorially reviewed on: