Median Calculator
Find the middle value of a data set, plus quartiles.
What the Median Calculator does
The median is the middle value once the data is sorted. With an even count it is the average of the two central values. Because it ignores how extreme the outliers are, it describes skewed data such as incomes and house prices far better than the mean.
Formula
Odd n: the ((n+1)/2)th valueEven n: average of the (n/2)th and (n/2 + 1)th values
Inputs explained
| Input | Unit | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbers | text | Yes | Separate values with commas, spaces or new lines. |
How to use it
- Enter Numbers.
- Select Calculate.
Worked example
House prices of 210k, 240k, 265k, 290k and 1.8m.
- Numbers
- 210, 240, 265, 290, 1800
Median 265 — the mean of 561 is distorted by the single 1.8m sale.
Reading the result
- The median is the value with half the data on each side, which makes it the middle of the distribution rather than its balance point.
- Comparing it against the mean reveals skew: a mean well above the median means a long tail of high values.
Common mistakes
- Taking the middle value without sorting first.
- Averaging the wrong pair with an even count. The median is the mean of the two central values once sorted, not of the first and last.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, mean or median?
Mean for symmetric data, median for skewed data or when outliers are present. Reporting both is often the most honest option.