Average Calculator
Calculate the average (mean), median and sum of a list of numbers — or what your next number needs to be to hit a target average. Paste your numbers separated by commas, spaces or line breaks.
How to use the average calculator
- Type or paste your numbers into the field — one number per line, or separated by commas or spaces.
- The calculator automatically works out the average, sum and median as you type.
How average and median are calculated
The average (also called the arithmetic mean) is found by summing all the numbers and dividing by the count:
Worked example: the numbers 4, 8 and 6 give (4 + 8 + 6) ÷ 3 = 6. Add an outlier of 100 and the mean becomes (4 + 8 + 6 + 100) ÷ 4 = 29.5 — while the median only moves from 6 to 7. That illustrates how sensitive the mean is to extreme values.
Median is the number that falls in the middle of the list when the numbers are sorted in ascending order. If the count is even, the median is the average of the two middle numbers. Median is useful because, unlike the average, it isn't heavily affected by extreme individual values (outliers).
The "What do I need for a target average?" tab flips the calculation around: you enter your existing numbers and the average you want to reach, and the calculator works out exactly what your next number needs to be — for example, what you need on your next test to hit a target grade average.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between average and median?
The average takes into account the value of every number, while the median only looks at which number is in the middle. If your dataset has a few very high or low numbers, the average can be "skewed" more than the median.
Which separators can I use between the numbers?
You can use line breaks, commas, semicolons or spaces — the calculator interprets all of these as separators between numbers.
What do I need on my next test to hit a target average?
Use the "What do I need for a target average?" tab. Enter the numbers you already have and the average you want to reach — the calculator works out exactly what your next number needs to be. Note this is a plain average, not a weighted grade system — use the Weighted Average Calculator for grades weighted by credit hours.