An average calculator computes the mean, median, and other central tendency measures from a set of numbers.
About this calculator
An average calculator computes the mean, median, and other central tendency measures from a set of numbers. While 'average' usually refers to the arithmetic mean, understanding the difference between mean, median, and mode is important for correctly interpreting data.
The mean is sensitive to outliers; the median is not. Choosing the right measure of central tendency depends on the data distribution and what you need to convey.
Common uses
- Calculate the mean grade from multiple test scores
- Find the median home price in a neighbourhood
- Calculate average sales per month from monthly data
- Detect outliers by comparing mean vs median
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between mean and median?
Mean (arithmetic average) = sum of values / count. Median = middle value when sorted. Mean is affected by extreme outliers; median is resistant to them. If a dataset has a few very large or small values, the median often better represents the 'typical' value.