Average Calculator

Paste or type a list of numbers to get the mean, median, mode and range in one place. Works with decimals, negatives and data pasted from a spreadsheet.

Separate with commas, spaces or new lines.
Average (mean)
–
Median–
Mode–
Range–
Sum–
Count–
Min / Max–

Mean, median and mode explained

"Average" is a single number that sums up a group of values. There are three common kinds, and each tells you something different:

  • Mean: add all the values and divide by how many there are. This is what most people mean by "the average".
  • Median: the middle value once the list is sorted. Half the values are below it and half above.
  • Mode: the value that appears most often. A list can have one mode, several, or none.

The calculator also shows the range, which is the largest value minus the smallest, a quick way to see how spread out the numbers are.

How to calculate the average by hand

Take the numbers 4, 8, 6, 5, 3 and 8.

  1. Mean: 4 + 8 + 6 + 5 + 3 + 8 = 34, and 34 ÷ 6 = 5.67.
  2. Median: sorted, the list is 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 8. The two middle values are 5 and 6, so the median is 5.5.
  3. Mode: 8 appears twice and every other value once, so the mode is 8.
  4. Range: 8 − 3 = 5.

Which average should you use?

The mean uses every value, which makes it the most common choice, but it is sensitive to outliers. Imagine five salaries of $40,000, $42,000, $45,000, $48,000 and $250,000. The mean is $85,000, yet four of the five people earn less than $50,000. The median, $45,000, describes a typical salary much better.

  • Use the mean for values that are fairly evenly spread, like test scores in a class.
  • Use the median when there are extreme values, like house prices or incomes.
  • Use the mode for the most common choice or size, like the shoe size a store sells most.

Tips for entering data

  • Paste directly from Excel, Google Sheets or a text file. Line breaks and tabs are handled automatically.
  • Decimals and negative numbers are fine: -2.5, 3.75, 10.
  • Anything that is not a number is skipped, and the calculator tells you what was ignored.
  • If some values should count more than others, use the weighted average calculator instead.

Last reviewed October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is the average the same as the mean?

In everyday use, yes. "Average" usually means the arithmetic mean: the total divided by the count. Strictly speaking, the median and mode are also kinds of average, which is why this calculator shows all three.

When should I use the median instead of the mean?

Use the median when a few very large or very small values would pull the mean away from a typical value. Home prices and incomes are classic examples: a handful of very high values raise the mean, while the median still shows what is typical.

What if no number repeats?

Then the list has no mode, and the calculator says so. If two or more values tie for the most repeats, the list has several modes and all of them are shown.

How do I find the median of an even number of values?

Sort the values and take the two in the middle, then average them. For 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 8 the middle values are 5 and 6, so the median is 5.5.

Can I paste numbers from a spreadsheet?

Yes. Copy a column or row from Excel or Google Sheets and paste it in. Numbers can be separated by commas, spaces, tabs or new lines. Dollar signs and percent signs are ignored.

What if some scores count more than others?

Then you need a weighted average, where each value is multiplied by its weight. Use the weighted grade calculator, which works for any weighted average, not just grades.