How to use the mean median mode calculator
- 1 Type or paste your numbers, separated by commas, spaces or new lines.
- 2 The results update as you type.
- 3 Read the mean, median and mode.
- 4 Check the range, quartiles and standard deviation, and the sorted list.
Worked example
The numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42 and 8. Sorted: 4, 8, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42. The sum is 116, so the mean is 16.57. The median is 15 (the 4th of 7 values) and the mode is 8, which appears twice. The range is 42 − 4 = 38 and the sample standard deviation is 12.88.
Choosing the right average
- Use the mean for evenly spread data.
- Use the median when outliers pull the mean.
- Use the mode for the most common value or category.
- Report the range or standard deviation with any average.
Standardize values with the Z-Score Calculator, round answers with the Rounding Calculator, and average grades with the GPA Calculator. Work with fractions in the Mixed Number Calculator.
How it works: The numbers are sorted first. The median is the middle value, or the average of the two middle values for an even count. Quartiles use linear interpolation between neighboring values, the same method as most spreadsheets. Standard deviation is shown both ways, dividing by n and by n − 1.
Features
All three averages
Mean, median and every mode, including ties.
Spread of the data
Range, quartiles and population and sample standard deviation.
Paste anything
Commas, spaces, tabs or one number per line.
When to use it
Math class
Check mean, median, mode and range questions. Round answers with the Rounding Calculator.
Grades
Find your average score. Weight it with the Weighted Grade Calculator.
Data analysis
Summarize survey or sales numbers quickly. Standardize values with the Z-Score Calculator.
Spreadsheet data
Paste a column straight from a spreadsheet.
Related Math tasks
Frequently asked questions
What is the mean?
The average: add all the numbers and divide by how many there are. For 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42 and 8, the sum is 116 and the mean is 116 ÷ 7 = 16.57.
What is the median?
The middle number when the values are sorted. With an even count, it is the average of the two middle numbers. For 4, 8, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42 the median is 15.
What is the mode?
The value that appears most often. A list can have one mode, several modes, or no mode if every value appears once.
What is the range?
The largest value minus the smallest. For the example, 42 − 4 = 38.
When should I use the median instead of the mean?
When the data has outliers or is skewed, such as incomes or house prices. One very large value pulls the mean up but barely moves the median.
What are quartiles?
Values that split sorted data into four parts. Q1 is the 25th percentile, the median is the 50th and Q3 is the 75th. The interquartile range is Q3 − Q1.
What is the difference between population and sample standard deviation?
Population divides by n; sample divides by n − 1 to correct for estimating from a sample. Use the sample version for survey or experiment data.
Can a data set have two modes?
Yes. It is called bimodal. The calculator lists every value tied for the highest count.
Can I use decimals and negative numbers?
Yes. Enter them as usual, for example −3.5, 2.25.
How many numbers can I enter?
As many as you like. The calculation runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
Can the mean be a decimal when all numbers are whole?
Yes. The mean of 1, 2 and 2 is 1.67.
What is the midrange?
The average of the smallest and largest values: (4 + 42) ÷ 2 = 23 in the example.
What is the interquartile range?
Q3 minus Q1, the spread of the middle half of the data. It is not affected by extreme values.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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