Mean, Median, Mode Calculator
This calculator computes the mean (arithmetic average), median (middle value), and mode (most frequent value) for any dataset. Enter a comma-separated list of numbers, and the calculator displays all three measures along with range (max - min) and count (number of values). The sorted list is shown for reference. These three statistical measures each provide different insight into a dataset: the mean is the center of gravity, the median is the middle position (unaffected by outliers), and the mode is the most common value. Understanding all three helps you interpret data accurately.
Formulas
Mean = sum of all values / count
Median = middle value when sorted (or average of two middle values)
Mode = most frequently occurring value
Range = maximum - minimum
Worked example
Dataset: 2, 4, 6, 6, 8
- Count: 5 values
- Mean: (2 + 4 + 6 + 6 + 8) / 5 = 26 / 5 = 5.2
- Sorted: 2, 4, 6, 6, 8. Median: 6 (middle value)
- Mode: 6 (appears twice, others appear once)
- Range: 8 - 2 = 6
When the average lies
'Average' usually means the mean, and the mean is easily distorted. Add one billionaire to a room and the mean income soars while almost everyone present is poorer than it; the median, the middle value, barely moves. That is why economists report median income and median house price rather than the mean: on skewed data the median describes the typical case, while the mean describes an arithmetic centre that may correspond to no one in the group.
The mode, the most common value, answers a third question entirely, which size sells most or which score recurs, and it is the only one of the three that works on categories rather than numbers. A simple rule follows: for roughly symmetric data the mean is fine; for income, prices, wait times or anything with a long tail, prefer the median and look at the spread as well; and reach for the mode when you care about the most frequent outcome rather than the centre.
Mean, median, mode calculator: frequently asked questions
What is the mean?
The mean (or arithmetic average) is the sum of all values divided by the count of values. For example, the mean of 2, 4, 6 is (2 + 4 + 6) / 3 = 4. The mean is useful for understanding the typical value in a dataset, but it is affected by outliers.
What is the median?
The median is the middle value when numbers are sorted in order. For an odd number of values, it is the middle one. For an even number, it is the average of the two middle values. The median is less affected by outliers than the mean.
What is the mode?
The mode is the value that appears most frequently in a dataset. A dataset can have one mode (unimodal), two modes (bimodal), or no mode if all values appear equally often. The mode is useful for categorical data and identifying the most common value.
What is the range?
The range is the difference between the largest and smallest values in a dataset: range = max - min. It measures the spread of data but is affected by outliers. A larger range indicates more variability.
When should I use mean vs. median?
Use the mean for symmetric distributions without outliers. Use the median when data has outliers or is skewed (e.g., income data). The median is more robust and resistant to extreme values. In skewed distributions, the median often better represents the typical value.
Official sources
- Statistical definitions: National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.