Average Calculator

Calculate the arithmetic mean, median, and mode of a data set in one step, with geometric, harmonic, and weighted averages supported. Enter numbers separated by commas or spaces.

How to Use

  1. Enter numbers

    Type your numbers separated by commas, or enter one number per line.

  2. Choose calculation type

    Select arithmetic mean, weighted average, median, or mode.

  3. View results

    Click Calculate to see the average and a statistical summary of your data.

What Is an Average?

An average is a statistical measure that summarizes several numbers into a single representative value. The average people usually mean is the arithmetic mean — the sum of all values divided by how many there are — but depending on the nature of your data, another type of average may be more appropriate.

Types of Central Tendency

  • Arithmetic mean – for values where summing makes sense, such as test scores, heights, or sales
  • Median – for data such as salaries or house prices where outliers distort the distribution
  • Mode – for categorical data such as the most common size or favorite color
  • Geometric mean – for ratios that compound multiplicatively, such as growth or return rates
  • Harmonic mean – when you need the average of rates, such as speeds or unit prices

This calculator computes all five averages at once, so you can compare whether your data is skewed and which measure best represents it.

Calculation Formula

The arithmetic mean divides the sum of all values by the count N.

Mean = (x₁ + x₂ + ... + xₙ) / N

Worked Example

Arithmetic mean of the data [2, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 7, 9]:

  • Sum: 2+4+4+4+5+5+7+9 = 40
  • Count: N = 8
  • Arithmetic mean: 40 / 8 = 5

For the same data, the median is 4.5 — the average of the two middle values (4, 5) after sorting — and the mode is 4, which appears three times. The geometric mean is (x₁ × x₂ × ... × xₙ)^(1/N) and the harmonic mean is N / (1/x₁ + ... + 1/xₙ); both are defined only when every value is positive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the arithmetic mean?
The arithmetic mean is the most common average: add up all the values and divide by the count. The formula is (x₁ + x₂ + ... + xₙ) / N. For example, the arithmetic mean of [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] is (1+2+3+4+5)/5 = 3.
What is the difference between the median and the mean?
The arithmetic mean is the sum of all values divided by the count, while the median is the value that falls in the middle when the data is sorted in order. When extreme values (outliers) are present, the median is often a better representative of the data.
How do you find the median?
Sort the data in ascending order and take the value in the middle. If the number of data points is odd, use the exact middle value; if even, use the average of the two middle values.
What is the mode?
The mode is the value that appears most frequently in the data. There can be more than one mode, and if every value occurs equally often the data is considered to have no mode. For example, the mode of [1, 1, 2, 3] is 1.
When should you use the geometric mean?
Use the geometric mean to average ratios or growth rates. For example, if yearly investment returns are +10%, +20%, and -5%, the average annual growth rate is calculated with the geometric mean. The geometric mean is defined only when all values are positive.
When should you use the harmonic mean?
Use the harmonic mean when you need the average of rates, such as speeds or unit prices. For example, if you travel a fixed distance at 60 km/h going out and 40 km/h coming back, the average speed is not the arithmetic mean (50 km/h) but the harmonic mean of 48 km/h.
How are decimal places handled?
This calculator rounds results to six decimal places. That keeps comparisons precise even for the geometric or harmonic mean, which can produce irrational numbers.
Which average should I choose?
Use the arithmetic mean for data with no outliers where summing is meaningful, the median for skewed data such as salaries or house prices, the geometric mean for growth and return rates, and the harmonic mean for speeds or ratios. Looking at all five together reveals the distribution characteristics of your data.
Verified 2026 formulas

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