Average Calculator
Paste or type a list of numbers and get the mean (average), median, mode, range, sum, count, smallest and largest values, and the geometric mean for positive data. The list is sorted so you can check the middle values.
Average calculator
How to use the average calculator – mean, median, mode and range
- Enter your numbers. Type or paste numbers separated by commas, spaces or semicolons.
- Read the mean and median. The headline shows the mean and the median of the list.
- Check the mode and range. The details list the mode, the range, the count and the sum.
- Look at the sorted list. The sorted numbers make it easy to verify the median and spot outliers.
Definitions
Mean = sum ÷ count
Median = middle value of the sorted list
Mode = most frequent value
Range = largest − smallest
Worked examples
12, 7, 3, 9, 7, 15. The sum is 53 and the count is 6, so the mean is 8.83. Sorted, the list is 3, 7, 7, 9, 12, 15, so the median is (7 + 9) ÷ 2 = 8, the mode is 7 and the range is 12.
85, 90, 78, 92, 88 (test scores). The mean is 433 ÷ 5 = 86.6. The sorted middle value is 88. No value repeats, so there is no mode.
Mean, median and mode compared
The three averages answer different questions. The mean uses every value, so it is best for symmetric data and for totals. The median tells you the typical middle case and ignores extreme values. The mode shows the most common value, which is the only one that works for categories such as shoe sizes. If the mean is far from the median, the data is skewed or has outliers, so report both.
Outliers
Take the list 20, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 120. The mean is 39, but five of the six values are at most 25. The median of 23.5 is a better picture of the typical value. Check unusual values before deciding whether they are errors or real.
Other kinds of average
The geometric mean is the right choice for growth rates and ratios. Suppose an investment grows by 10% in one year and 40% in the next. The geometric mean growth factor is √(1.1 × 1.4) = 1.241, which is about 24.1% a year, not the 25% the arithmetic mean suggests. For data that has a spread, use the standard deviation calculator, and for averages that carry different weights use the grade calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate the average?
Add all the numbers and divide by how many there are. For 12, 7, 3, 9, 7 and 15, the sum is 53 and the count is 6, so the mean is 53 ÷ 6 = 8.83.
What is the median?
The middle value of the sorted list. With an even count it is the average of the two middle values. For 3, 7, 7, 9, 12, 15 it is (7 + 9) ÷ 2 = 8.
What is the mode?
The most frequent value. In 3, 7, 7, 9, 12, 15 the mode is 7. A list can have more than one mode, or none if every value appears once.
What is the range?
The largest value minus the smallest. For the list above it is 15 − 3 = 12.
When is the median better than the mean?
When the data has outliers or is skewed, such as incomes or house prices. A single very large value pulls the mean up but barely moves the median.
What is the geometric mean?
The nth root of the product of n positive numbers. It suits growth rates and ratios. The geometric mean of 2 and 8 is 4, while the arithmetic mean is 5.
How do I calculate a weighted average?
Multiply each value by its weight, add them up and divide by the total weight. The grade calculator does this for course marks.
Related calculators
Standard Deviation Calculator – Sample and Population
Sample and population standard deviation, variance, mean and standard error.
Percentage Change Calculator – Increase, Decrease and Reverse
Percent increase or decrease, add or subtract a percent, and find the original value.
Grade Calculator – Final Exam Score Needed and Weighted Grade
Final exam score needed for a target grade, and weighted course grade.
Ratio Calculator – Simplify, Solve and Split by Ratio
Simplify ratios, solve proportions and split a total by a ratio.
Sources and references
About this calculator
Written and maintained by Rashid Mehmood, founder of CalcTen. The formulas are unit-tested against hand-worked examples, and the content is reviewed whenever product sizes or guidance change. Last updated 14 November 2026. See our editorial policy.
Results are calculated from the numbers you enter and shown with the working. Rounding is applied only when displaying results. Grade and GPA scales, and weighting rules, vary by school, so confirm with your institution. Read the disclaimer.