Math
MEDIAN
Definition
MEDIAN returns the middle number in a set after the values are ordered.
Syntax
=MEDIAN(number1, [number2], ...)
Arguments
| Argument | Meaning |
|---|---|
number1 |
The first value to include: a number, a cell, or a range such as A2:A6. |
number2, ... |
Optional extra values or ranges that join the same middle-value calculation. |
Worked example
A gardener measures five seedlings in centimetres. Heights are in A2:A6.
| A: Height |
|---|
| 4 |
| 9 |
| 2 |
| 11 |
| 6 |
Formula: =MEDIAN(A2:A6)
Result: 6. Ordered, the heights are 2, 4, 6, 9, and 11, so the middle value is 6.
Practice
Cells A2:A6 hold 1, 8, 3, 9, and 5. In B2, write a formula that returns the median of that range.
- In B2, write a MEDIAN formula for A2:A6.
- B2 should show the median of A2:A6.
Step 1 of 2
Enter =MEDIAN(A2:A6) in B2.
Sorted, the values are 1, 3, 5, 8, and 9, so the median is 5.
Formulas here use English function names, such as SUM, and a period as the decimal separator, in every language.
Loading the sheet…
B2 uses MEDIAN.
B2 now shows 5.
Related functions
AVERAGE is the mean, which a large outlier can pull. MIN is the lowest value, not the middle.
Common mistake
Expecting MEDIAN of four numbers to pick one of them: with an even count it averages the two central values.