The Median Calculator
The median is the number that sits in the middle, and it is the statistic that survives an outlier when the average does not.
Median
9
- Smallest
- 5
- Largest
- 12
- Range
- 7
Values update as you type. This calculator covers the single scenario its formula assumes — see Common Mistakes for what it leaves out.
The formula this calculator uses
median = middle value once the data is sorted
- median
- Middle value of the ordered data
- n
- How many values there are
How to check the result by hand
- 1
Write the values out in order
Smallest to largest, or largest to smallest, it makes no difference. Skipping this step is the single most common reason for a wrong median.
- 2
Count how many values there are
The count decides which rule applies. An odd count has one middle value, an even count has two and needs an extra averaging step.
- 3
Find the middle position
With three values the middle is the second one, which is nine in the list five, nine, twelve. With four values the middle positions are the second and third.
- 4
Average the two middle values if the count is even
For the values two, four, eight and ten the middle pair is four and eight, so the median is six. Reporting four or eight instead is a common slip.
- 5
Compare with the mean before drawing conclusions
If the mean and the median are far apart, the data is skewed and the median is usually the more honest summary of the typical case.
For worked examples, common mistakes and the limits of this formula, read the full How To Calculate The Median page.