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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ai-regression-predicts-numbers

What makes a regression model different from a classification model?

Regression predicts a number; classification predicts a class.

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  1. Regression predicts a category, not a number
  2. Regression predicts a number, not a class ✔
  3. Regression outputs only a yes-or-no decision

Why: Classification picks a category, like cat or dog. Regression predicts a numeric value, like tomorrow's temperature or a house price.

Huh, didn't know that: Despite its name, logistic regression is used for classification: it outputs a probability that is turned into a class.

The dad joke
My regression model predicted my age. I told it to round down.
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References

Answer: Regression predicts a number, not a class. Classification picks a category, like cat or dog. Regression predicts a numeric value, like tomorrow's temperature or a house price.

  1. Google Machine Learning Glossary: classification model developers.google.com/machine-learning/glossary
    In contrast, regression models predict numbers rather than classes.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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