Average Calculator
Paste or type a list of numbers to get the mean, median, mode and range, with the count and total shown alongside.
How it works
The mean is the total divided by how many values there are. It uses every number, which is its strength and its weakness — one extreme value drags it noticeably.
The median is the middle value once sorted, so outliers barely move it. When mean and median differ a lot, the data is skewed, and the median is usually the more honest summary. Salary and house-price figures are quoted as medians for exactly this reason.
The mode is the most frequent value, and it is the only one of the three that works on categories rather than numbers. A set can have several modes, or none worth reporting.
The formula
Mean
mean = sum of values ÷ count
Median
middle value when sorted; the average of the middle two if the count is even
Mode
the value that appears most often
Range
range = largest − smallest
Worked examples
| Scenario | Working | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2, 4, 4, 6, 9 | 25 ÷ 5 | mean 5, median 4, mode 4 |
| Adding an outlier of 100 | 125 ÷ 6 | mean jumps to 20.8, median only to 5 |
| 1, 2, 3, 4 | Even count | median is 2.5 |
When you'd use it
- Averaging marks, scores or readings
- Summarising a set of prices or times
- Deciding whether a mean is being distorted by an outlier
- Getting the count and total of a list quickly
Common questions
Should I use the mean or the median?
Use the median when the data has outliers or is skewed, and the mean when values cluster fairly evenly. If the two are far apart, report the median — the mean is being pulled by extremes.
What if no value repeats?
Then there is no mode, and reporting one would be misleading. Several values can also tie for most frequent, in which case the set has more than one mode.
How do I enter my numbers?
Separated by commas, spaces or new lines — paste a column straight from a spreadsheet and it will be read correctly.