An average is a single number that sums up a whole set of values. It is one of the most useful ideas in everyday maths, used for test scores, prices, temperatures, and sports stats. But "average" actually covers three different measures: the mean, the median, and the mode. This guide explains all three with simple examples, plus a free calculator to do the work for you.
The mean (the everyday average)
When most people say "average", they mean the mean. To find it, add up all the values and divide by how many there are.
Formula: mean = (sum of all values) ÷ (number of values)
Example: test scores of 70, 80, and 90.
(70 + 80 + 90) ÷ 3 = 240 ÷ 3 = 80.
The median (the middle value)
The median is the middle value once the numbers are sorted from smallest to largest. It is useful when a few very high or very low numbers would pull the mean off balance.
Example: 4, 8, 9, 15, 20. The middle value is 9.
If there is an even number of values, take the mean of the two middle ones. For 4, 8, 9, 15: (8 + 9) ÷ 2 = 8.5.
The mode (the most common value)
The mode is the value that appears most often. A set can have one mode, several, or none.
Example: 2, 4, 4, 6, 8. The mode is 4, because it appears twice.
Which average should you use?
- Mean: best for evenly spread data, such as exam marks or daily sales.
- Median: best when there are outliers, such as house prices or incomes.
- Mode: best for categories, such as the most common shoe size sold.
Let a calculator do it
Our free Average Calculator works out the mean, median, and mode of any list of numbers instantly, with no sign-up. Just paste your values and read the result.
Related tools
- Turn scores into percentages with the Percentage Calculator.
- Work out your grade point average with the GPA Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is the average the same as the mean?
In everyday use, yes. "Average" usually means the mean, but the median and mode are also types of average.
What is the difference between mean and median?
The mean adds everything and divides, so a few extreme values can skew it. The median is the middle value, so it stays stable even with outliers.
Can a set of numbers have no mode?
Yes. If every value appears the same number of times, there is no mode.
Ready to try it? Open the free Average Calculator, or explore all our free calculators and tools.