Mean, Median, Mode, Range Calculator
Calculate basic statistical measures for your data set instantly. Enter your values to find the mean (average), median, mode, and range.
Understanding Basic Statistical Measures
Our calculator helps you find the most important statistical measures for your data set. These measures are essential for understanding the central tendency and spread of your data.
Mean
The mean is the average of all values in your data set. To calculate the mean, add up all values and divide by the number of values.
Formula: Mean = (x₁ + x₂ + ... + xₙ) / n
The mean is sensitive to extreme values (outliers) in your data.
Median
The median is the middle value when your data is arranged in order. If you have an even number of values, the median is the average of the two middle values.
Example: For the data set [3, 5, 7, 9, 11], the median is 7.
Example: For the data set [3, 5, 7, 9], the median is (5 + 7) / 2 = 6.
The median is less affected by outliers than the mean, making it useful for skewed data.
Mode
The mode is the value(s) that appears most frequently in your data set. A data set can have one mode, multiple modes (bimodal or multimodal), or no mode at all.
Example: For the data set [2, 3, 3, 5, 7, 7, 7, 8], the mode is 7 (appears three times).
If all values appear the same number of times, there is no mode.
Range
The range measures the spread of your data. It is calculated as the difference between the maximum and minimum values.
Formula: Range = Maximum value - Minimum value
The range is a simple measure of dispersion but is heavily influenced by outliers.
When to Use Each Measure
- Use the mean when your data is symmetric and has few or no outliers
- Use the median when your data is skewed or contains outliers
- Use the mode to find the most common value(s) in categorical data or discrete numerical data
- Use the range for a quick assessment of data spread, but consider other measures like standard deviation for more detail
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your data in the text box, separating values with commas, spaces, or new lines
- Select your preferred decimal precision
- Click "Calculate" to see the results
- Analyze the mean, median, mode, and range to understand your data's central tendency and spread