How the mean is worked out
Add every number together, then divide by how many numbers you entered. For 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42 the total is 108 and there are six numbers, so the mean is 18.
The mean uses every value, which is why one very large or very small number pulls it away from the middle.
Worked example
The list 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42 has a total of 108 and six values, so the mean is 18.
The median is 15.5, the range is 38 and the sample standard deviation is 13.4907. All four describe the same list in different ways.
Mean, median or mode
The mean is the balance point of the numbers. The median is the middle value, which ignores how far the extremes sit.
When a list has an outlier, the median often describes a typical value better. Report both if the difference is large.
Inputs for the average calculator
Your numbers
Separate the numbers with commas, spaces or new lines. A pasted spreadsheet column works as it is.
CALCULATOR QUESTIONS
Average calculator questions
How do I work out an average?
Add the numbers and divide by how many there are. The six numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42 add to 108, so the mean is 18.
What is the difference between mean and median?
The mean divides the total by the count. The median is the middle value once the list is in order.
Can I include negative numbers?
Yes. Negative numbers are added like any other, and they can pull the mean below zero.
Does the average have to be one of the numbers?
No. An average usually sits between the smallest and largest values without being equal to either.