Graph Density

Measure edge saturation

Graph density is the ratio of actual edges to possible edges - how "full" is your graph?

What It Computes

Density = E / (V × (V-1)) for directed graphs
Range: 0 (no edges) to 1 (complete graph)

When to Use It

  • Network comparison: Compare graphs of different sizes
  • Complexity metric: How interconnected is the system?
  • Evolution tracking: Is network growing sparser/denser?

Example

Interpretation:

  • <0.01: Sparse (most real-world networks)
  • 0.01-0.1: Moderately dense
  • >0.5: Very dense (rare)

Use Cases

System Complexity

Higher density = more complex system interactions

Network Evolution

See Also