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How do I find the median of a list of numbers?

Short answer

Sort the numbers from smallest to largest and take the middle one; if the list has an even count, average the two middle values. The browser-based average calculator sorts your list and returns the median for you, along with the mean and mode, with nothing uploaded.

The median is the middle value

The median is the value that sits in the middle of a sorted list, so half the numbers fall below it and half above. First you order the numbers. If there is an odd count, the median is the single middle number. If there is an even count, the median is the mean of the two middle numbers. For 3, 7, 9 the median is 7, and for 3, 7, 9, 12 it is (7 + 9) divided by 2, which is 8.

Why the median can beat the mean

The median is more resistant to outliers than the mean, which is why it is often used for figures like household income or house prices. A single very large value pulls the mean upward but barely moves the median. The average calculator reports both at once so you can compare them, and it does all of the sorting locally in your browser.

Step by step

  1. Open the calculator. Open the average calculator in your browser.
  2. Enter your list. Paste your numbers in any order, separated by commas or spaces.
  3. Read the median. The tool sorts the list and shows the median instantly.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to sort the numbers first?

No. You can paste them in any order and the tool sorts them for you before finding the median.

What if there is an even number of values?

The median is the average of the two middle values once the list is sorted.

Is my data private?

Yes. Everything is computed in your browser and nothing is sent to a server.

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