Mean and median answer different questions. The mean is dragged up or down by outliers - one huge salary or one slow lap changes it - while the median stays put, which is why income and house-price figures are usually quoted as medians. Standard deviation tells you how spread out the list is, so two sets with the same average can still behave very differently.
Calculator
Formula used
Mean = Σx ÷ n · Median = middle value · σ = √( Σ(x − mean)² ÷ n )
How to use the Average Calculator
- Paste your numbers into the box.
- Choose sample or population standard deviation.
- Read the mean, median, mode and spread statistics.
- Check the sorted list to spot outliers.
About this tool
The Average Calculator is built for speed and accuracy: every calculation runs in your browser, so your data never leaves your device and the result updates as you type. It works equally well on a phone, a tablet or a desktop, and it is free to use as many times as you like.
Common use cases
- Averaging test scores or survey ratings.
- Finding the median of a price list.
- Measuring variability in measurements.
- Summarising monthly sales or traffic figures.
Tips for the best result
- Use the latest figures you have - even a small change in rate or term can shift the outcome by hundreds.
- For annual figures, divide by 12 to get a monthly number you can compare with the result.
- Bookmark this page and revisit the calculation as the inputs change.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use the median instead of the mean?
Use the median when a few extreme values would distort the average, such as incomes, house prices or response times.
What is the difference between sample and population?
Use sample (n − 1) when your numbers are a sample of a larger group, which is the usual case. Use population (n) only if the list is the entire group.
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