How to use the Mean Calculator
Paste numbers separated by commas, spaces or new lines. The calculator adds them up and divides by how many there are.
Worked example
For 3, 7, 7, 2 and 9, the sum is 28 and there are 5 numbers, so the mean is 28 ÷ 5 = 5.6. The mean does not have to be one of the numbers in your list, and it can be a decimal even when every value is a whole number.
When the mean misleads
One extreme value can drag the mean a long way. If four people earn $30,000 and one earns $300,000, the mean income is $84,000, which describes nobody in the group. In skewed data like salaries or house prices, the median gives a fairer picture of a typical value.
The formula
Mean = sum of values ÷ number of values.
Examples
- 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
Mean: 6 Count: 5
- Test scores 72, 85, 90, 85, 68
Mean: 80 Count: 5
- Daily sales 120, 95, 150
Mean: 121.66666667 Count: 3
Limitations and assumptions
Treats every value equally. For values that carry different weights, such as course grades, use the weighted grade calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the mean?
Add all the numbers and divide by how many there are.
Mean versus median?
Median is the middle value and is less affected by extreme values.
What about a weighted average?
Use the grade calculator for weighted scores.
How do I enter numbers?
Separate them with commas, spaces or new lines.