An overview of the Density toolset

Available with Spatial Analyst license.

The Density toolset contains tools that calculate the density of input features within a neighborhood around each output raster cell.

By calculating density, you are in a sense spreading the values (of the input) out over a surface. The magnitude at each sample location (line or point) is distributed throughout the study area, and a density value is calculated for each cell in the output raster.

For density maps, a circular search area is applied that determines the distance to search for sample locations (line or point) or to spread the values out around each location and calculate a density value.

• Learn more about density analysis
• Learn more about density calculations

The following table lists the available tools and provides a brief description of each.

Tools in the Density toolset

Tool	Description
Kernel Density	Calculates a magnitude-per-unit area from point or polyline features using a kernel function to fit a smoothly tapered surface to each point or polyline. A barrier can be used to alter the influence of a feature while calculating kernel density.
Line Density	Calculates a magnitude-per-unit area from polyline features that fall within a radius around each cell.
Point Density	Calculates a magnitude-per-unit area from point features that fall within a neighborhood around each cell.