About the Mean, Median & Mode Calculator
The mean, median and mode are three different ways of describing the "typical" value in a set of numbers. The mean is the ordinary average, the median is the middle value when the numbers are sorted, and the mode is the value that appears most often. This calculator works them all out at once, along with the spread of the data — range, variance and standard deviation — so you can see both the centre and how widely the values are scattered.
How to use the Mean, Median & Mode Calculator
- Paste or type your numbers into the box. Separate them with commas, spaces or new lines — you can copy a column straight from a spreadsheet.
- Check the warning line in case any values were not recognised as numbers.
- Read the mean, median and mode in the highlighted boxes.
- Use the table below for count, sum, range, variance and standard deviation.
The formula behind it
Which average should I use?
Use the mean when values are fairly evenly spread. Use the median when there are a few extreme values, because it is not pulled up or down by outliers — this is why house prices and incomes are usually reported as medians. The mode is most useful for categories or repeated values, such as the most common shoe size sold.
Sample vs. population standard deviation
If your numbers are the whole group you care about (every student in one class), use the population standard deviation (σ). If they are a sample taken to estimate a bigger group (100 people surveyed out of a city), use the sample standard deviation (s), which divides by n − 1 to correct for the fact that a sample tends to underestimate the true spread.
Examples
Test scores
Scores 2, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 7, 9: mean 5, median 4.5, mode 4, population standard deviation 2.
Effect of an outlier
Salaries 30k, 32k, 35k, 38k and 250k: the mean is 77k but the median is 35k, which better describes a typical salary.
Frequently asked questions
What if no number repeats?
Then the data set has no mode. If two or more values tie for the most appearances, all of them are modes.
How is the median found for an even number of values?
Sort the values and take the average of the two middle ones. For 1, 3, 5, 7 the median is (3 + 5) ÷ 2 = 4.
Why does the sample standard deviation need at least two numbers?
It divides by n − 1. With a single value that would be dividing by zero, so it is undefined.
Can I paste data from Excel or Google Sheets?
Yes. Copy a column or row and paste it in; tabs, spaces and line breaks are all treated as separators.
About the author: Ahmed Bilal
Ahmed Bilal is the founder of VolexTool and builds and maintains every calculator on the site. Tax rates and thresholds are taken directly from official sources such as GOV.UK, HMRC, the Canada Revenue Agency and the Australian Taxation Office, the formula is shown on every page, and each update must pass more than 600 automated checks before it goes live. Ahmed is not a tax adviser: for decisions about your own situation, speak to a qualified accountant or financial adviser.