Average Calculator
Paste or type any list of numbers — separated by commas, spaces, or line breaks — and get the average (mean) plus the median, sum, and count instantly.
Example: with Numbers (comma or space separated) 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 → Average (mean): 30.00.
Computed by the calculator below using its default values. Change any input to see your own numbers.
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Check it outMean, median, and when each is right
The average (arithmetic mean) adds every value and divides by how many there are: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 sums to 150, and 150 ÷ 5 = 30. It’s the number most people mean by “average,” and it works well when values are roughly symmetric — test scores, temperatures, times.
The median is the middle value once the list is sorted, and it resists outliers: the mean of 20, 25, 30, 35, 900 is 202, but the median is still 30. Use the median for skewed data like incomes or home prices, and the mean when every value should count equally. This tool shows both, so you can see instantly whether an outlier is dragging your average.
How it’s calculated
Mean = sum of all values ÷ count. Median = middle value of the sorted list (or the mean of the two middle values when the count is even). Values are parsed from commas, semicolons, spaces, or new lines; anything non-numeric is ignored rather than treated as zero.
Results update as you type and are estimates, not professional advice — verify important decisions with a qualified professional.
Common mistakes
- Letting one outlier stand for the group — check the median next to the mean before quoting an average.
- Averaging averages of different-sized groups instead of going back to the raw values (use a weighted average).
- Typing thousands separators mid-number (1,250 parses as 1 and 250 — enter 1250 instead).
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate an average?
Add all the numbers, then divide by how many numbers there are. For 4, 8, and 12: the sum is 24, there are 3 values, and 24 ÷ 3 = 8.
What's the difference between mean and median?
The mean divides the sum by the count; the median is the middle sorted value. They match on symmetric data and split apart when outliers skew the list.
Can I paste numbers straight from a spreadsheet?
Yes. Values separated by commas, spaces, semicolons, or line breaks all parse; text and blank cells are ignored automatically.
Does this calculate a weighted average?
No — every value counts once here. For category weights (like grades worth 20% or 40%), use the weighted grade calculator instead.