Average calculator
The mean of a list of numbers, or a weighted average, with the median and mode.
About this calculator
This average calculator finds the mean of any list of numbers. Type or paste them, separated by spaces, commas or new lines.
It also gives the median, mode and range, and can work out a weighted average, where some values count more than others.
How it works
The average, or mean, is the sum of the numbers ÷ how many there are. A weighted average multiplies each value by its weight, adds them up and divides by the sum of the weights.
Last reviewed:
Worked example
- Type: Simple average
- Numbers, separated by spaces, commas or new lines: 85 92 78 90 88 92
Average (mean): 87.5
Common questions
How do I calculate an average?
Add the numbers and divide by how many there are. For 4, 8 and 9: (4 + 8 + 9) ÷ 3 = 7.
What is a weighted average?
An average where some values count more than others. A grade worth 3 credits counts three times as much as one worth 1 credit.
What is the difference between mean, median and mode?
The mean is the average, the median is the middle value once sorted, and the mode is the most common value. The median isn't pulled by extreme values.
Sources and further reading
The story behind it
Where the idea came from: The word average comes, through French and Italian, from the Arabic awar, meaning damage to goods, used for losses at sea.
Under the old maritime rule of general average, everyone with cargo on board shared the cost of goods thrown overboard to save the ship, in proportion to the value of their cargo: a weighted average that is still part of shipping law.
Why you can trust this calculator
- It runs in your browser. Nothing you type into it is sent anywhere.
- The method is explained on this page, so you can check it yourself.
- Free to use, with no sign-up.
- Results are estimates, so please double-check anything important.
- Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll look into it.
After 15 years as a mathematics educator, I built CalculStore to give students, teachers, professionals and anyone working with numbers simple, reliable tools.
Meet the founder