Average Calculator
Enter a list of numbers separated by commas or spaces to calculate the mean, median, and sum.
Last updated: September 5, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the average of a list of numbers?
Add all the numbers together, then divide by how many numbers there are. For 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42: the sum is 108, divided by 6 numbers = an average of 18.
What's the difference between mean and median?
The mean is the sum divided by the count (the 'average'); the median is the middle value when the numbers are sorted. The median is less affected by outliers than the mean.
Does this handle negative numbers or decimals?
Yes - enter negative numbers with a minus sign and decimals with a period, separated by commas or spaces just like any other value; the mean, median, and sum all calculate correctly with mixed positive, negative, and decimal values.
What's the difference between an average and a weighted average?
A simple average treats every number equally; a weighted average multiplies each number by its own weight before dividing by the total weight, so values that matter more (like a test worth 40% of a grade) count for more. This calculator computes a simple average - for weighted averages you'd multiply each value by its weight first.
What's the median of an even-numbered list?
Average the two middle values after sorting. For 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42 (already sorted, 6 numbers), the two middle values are 15 and 16, so the median is (15+16)/2 = 15.5.
Can I paste a very long list of numbers?
Yes - there's no fixed limit on how many numbers you enter; separate them with commas, spaces, or new lines and the calculator will sum, average, and find the median across the entire list.
Why is my average so different from my median?
A large gap usually means outliers are pulling the mean away from the bulk of the data. For 1, 2, 3, 4, 100: the mean is 22 but the median is 3 - the median better represents the 'typical' value when extreme numbers are present.