Standard Deviation Calculator

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Calculate the standard deviation, variance, mean and more for a set of numbers.

How the calculation works

Choose sample or population, then enter your numbers. The variance is the average squared distance from the mean (dividing by n for a population, or n − 1 for a sample). The standard deviation is its square root.

Formula used

σ = √(Σ(x − mean)² ÷ N); s = √(Σ(x − mean)² ÷ (n − 1))

Example

For 10, 12, 23, 23, 16, 23, 21, 16 the mean is 18 and the sample standard deviation is 5.237.

Frequently asked questions

Sample or population?

Use population if you have every value, and sample if your data is a part of a larger group.

What does a high standard deviation mean?

The numbers are more spread out from the mean.

Results are estimates for general information only and are not professional financial, medical or legal advice.