Percentages & Everyday Math
Average (Mean) Calculator
Find the mean, median, sum, count, min, max, and range of a list of numbers.
Result
Enter your numbers and press Calculate to see the result.
Calculating…
How to calculate an average
The average — more precisely the mean — is the sum of all your numbers divided by how many there are. It gives a single value that represents the whole set. This calculator also reports the median, sum, count, minimum, maximum, and range so you can see the full picture at a glance.
Formula
mean = (x₁ + x₂ + … + xₙ) ÷ n
where x₁…xₙ are your values and n is the count. The total (sum) divided by the number of values gives the mean.
Worked example
For the numbers 12, 15, 20, 7, 9, 18:
- Sum: 12 + 15 + 20 + 7 + 9 + 18 = 81
- Count: 6
- Mean: 81 ÷ 6 = 13.5
- Sorted: 7, 9, 12, 15, 18, 20 → median = (12 + 15) ÷ 2 = 13.5
- Range: 20 − 7 = 13
Mean vs. median
The mean uses every value, so a single very large or very small number pulls it up or down. The median — the middle value when the numbers are sorted — ignores how extreme the outliers are, so it often better reflects a typical value. When the mean and median are far apart, your data is likely skewed by outliers.
Tips
- Separate numbers with commas, spaces, or new lines — you can mix them.
- Decimals and negative numbers work; any non-numeric text is ignored.
- Paste a column straight from a spreadsheet — line breaks are treated as separators.
Average (Mean) Calculator — frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the average of a list of numbers?
Add all the numbers together, then divide by how many there are. For 12, 15, 20, 7, 9, and 18, the sum is 81 and the count is 6, so the average (mean) is 81 ÷ 6 = 13.5.
What is the difference between the mean and the median?
The mean is the sum divided by the count. The median is the middle value once the numbers are sorted (or the average of the two middle values). The median is less affected by very large or small outliers, so it can better represent a typical value.
How should I separate the numbers?
You can separate values with commas, spaces, or new lines — mix them freely. Decimals and negative numbers are supported, and any non-numeric text is ignored.
What is the range?
The range is the difference between the largest and smallest values: maximum minus minimum. It shows how spread out your numbers are.