Mean vs Median
Mean vs median compared — how each is calculated, how outliers affect them, and when to use which, with a free statistics calculator.
The mean is the average (sum ÷ count); the median is the middle value. They agree for symmetric data but diverge when the data is skewed or has outliers.
Mean vs Median at a glance
| Mean | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| Calculation | Sum ÷ count | Middle value (sorted) |
| Outliers | Strongly affected | Robust |
| Best for | Symmetric data | Skewed data, incomes |
When to use Mean
Use the mean for roughly symmetric data without big outliers.
When to use Median
Use the median for skewed data or when outliers would distort the average (e.g. income, house prices).
Tools for Mean & Median
Statistics Calculator
Descriptive statistics — mean, median, mode, range, variance, SD, quartiles (sample & population). Client-side; data never leaves your device.
Open toolStandard Deviation Calculator
Mean, variance and sample/population standard deviation with the full working shown. Client-side and private.
Open toolZ-Score Calculator
Convert a value to a z-score and a z-score to a percentile (standard normal). Client-side.
Open toolProbability Calculator
Single events, independent AND/OR, and the binomial distribution P(X=k)/P(X≤k)/P(X≥k). Client-side.
Open toolMean vs Median
When is the median better than the mean?
When data is skewed or has outliers. One very large value pulls the mean up but barely moves the median, so the median better represents a "typical" value for things like income or prices.