How to use the average calculator
Type or paste your numbers into the box — separated by commas, spaces or line breaks — and the results update instantly. You can paste a column straight from a spreadsheet. Decimals and negative numbers are supported; don't use thousands separators (write 1500, not 1,500).
Mean, median and mode explained
Mean (arithmetic average)
The mean is what most people mean by "average." It uses every value, which makes it sensitive to extreme values (outliers).
Median
The median is the middle value when the numbers are sorted. If there is an even number of values, it is the average of the two middle values. The median is less affected by outliers, which is why it's used for things like house prices and incomes.
Mode
The mode is the value that appears most often. A data set can have one mode, several modes, or no mode if every value appears once.
Range
The range is the difference between the largest and smallest values. It gives a quick sense of how spread out the data is.
Example
For the numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42:
- Sum = 108 and count = 6, so the mean = 108 ÷ 6 = 18.
- The two middle values are 15 and 16, so the median = 15.5.
- Every value appears once, so there is no mode.
- The range = 42 − 4 = 38.
Notice how the single large value (42) pulls the mean above the median.
Which average should I use?
- Mean — for data without extreme outliers, such as test scores in a class.
- Median — for skewed data, such as incomes or home prices.
- Mode — for categories or the most common value, such as the most popular shoe size.
- Geometric mean — for growth rates and ratios, such as average investment returns.
To measure how spread out your numbers are, try the standard deviation calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate the average of numbers?
Add all the numbers together and divide by how many numbers there are. For example, the average of 3, 5 and 10 is (3 + 5 + 10) ÷ 3 = 6.
What is the difference between mean and median?
The mean is the sum divided by the count, while the median is the middle value of the sorted list. The median is less affected by very large or very small values.
What if there are two modes?
A data set with two modes is called bimodal. The calculator lists every value that shares the highest frequency.
Can I calculate a weighted average here?
This tool calculates a simple (unweighted) average. For a weighted average, multiply each value by its weight, add the results, and divide by the sum of the weights — or use our GPA calculator for grades.
How many numbers can I enter?
As many as you like. The calculation runs in your browser and handles thousands of values instantly.
Results are rounded for display. For academic or professional work, double-check critical calculations and follow the rounding rules your teacher, school or organization requires.
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