Midrange Calculator
Find the midrange of any data set, the point exactly halfway between the smallest and largest values, and see how it compares with the mean, median, range and sum. Enter your numbers separated by commas to get all five measures at once, plus a full step-by-step breakdown.
Formula
Worked example
For 12, 7, 19, 4, 23: the smallest value is 4 and the largest is 23, so the midrange is (23 + 4) / 2 = 27 / 2 = 13.5. The mean of all five values is (12 + 7 + 19 + 4 + 23) / 5 = 65 / 5 = 13, and the median of the sorted list (4, 7, 12, 19, 23) is 12. All three centres are close, suggesting no extreme outlier.
What the midrange measures
The midrange is a measure of central tendency that marks the exact midpoint between the smallest and largest values in a data set. You calculate it by adding the maximum and the minimum together and dividing by two, placing it halfway along the number line between the two extremes. Like the mean, the median, and the mode, it offers a single number meant to represent the centre of the data, but it is the only one of these that looks solely at the endpoints. This makes it extremely fast to compute by hand and easy to understand at a glance. The midrange formula is: Midrange = (Maximum + Minimum) / 2.
Midrange vs. mean vs. median: which to use
The midrange, mean, and median each measure the centre of a data set in a different way. The mean adds every value and divides by the count, giving every number equal weight. The median finds the physical middle of the sorted list and is resistant to outliers. The midrange averages only the two extremes, making it the fastest but also the least robust. When the three agree closely, the data is roughly symmetric and well-behaved. When they diverge, look for outliers, the midrange will have moved the furthest. For everyday analysis, statisticians prefer the mean or median; the midrange is most reliable for symmetric data or quick estimates, such as the average of a daily high and low temperature in meteorology.
Understanding range vs. midrange
The range and the midrange both use only the minimum and maximum, but they answer different questions. The range (maximum minus minimum) measures how spread out the data is, a measure of dispersion. The midrange (maximum plus minimum, divided by two) measures where the centre of that spread falls, a measure of location. A data set with a wide range could still have a midrange close to zero if it is symmetric. These two values together give a quick sketch of the data: the midrange anchors the centre and the range shows how far the values extend on either side.
When the midrange is useful and when it is not
Because the midrange relies entirely on the two most extreme values, it is highly sensitive to outliers and ignores how the rest of the data is distributed. A single unusually high or low number can drag it well away from where most values actually cluster. It is most trustworthy when the data is roughly symmetric and free of extreme values, where it tends to land close to the mean and median. For quick estimates, the midrange requires only two pieces of information and no summing, making it practical when time or tools are limited. Meteorologists commonly report the midrange temperature (the average of the day's high and low) as a standard daily summary.
How to enter your data
Type or paste your numbers into the box separated by commas, for example: 12, 7, 19, 4, 23. Spaces around the commas are ignored, so values copied straight from a spreadsheet column or a sentence usually work without any cleanup. Anything that is not a valid number is skipped, so stray text will not break the result. Toggle on "Show mean, median and range comparison" to add the mean, median, range, and sum to the results. The midrange and all comparison statistics update as you edit, together with the step-by-step breakdown below.
Measures of central tendency compared
| Measure | Formula | Result (example) | Sensitivity to outliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midrange | (max + min) / 2 | 13.5 | Very high (uses only extremes) |
| Mean | sum / count | 13 | High (every value contributes) |
| Median | middle sorted value | 12 | Low (position-based) |
| Mode | most frequent value | none (all unique) | None |
All four measures applied to the same data set: 4, 7, 12, 19, 23.
Frequently asked questions
What is the midrange in statistics?
The midrange is the average of the highest and lowest values in a data set. You calculate it by adding the maximum and minimum together and dividing by two. It marks the exact midpoint between the two extremes and is one of the simplest measures of central tendency, sometimes called the mid-extreme.
How is the midrange different from the mean?
The mean uses every value in the data set, while the midrange uses only the two extremes: the minimum and maximum. As a result, the mean reflects the whole distribution, but the midrange can be pulled far off-centre by a single outlier. They agree closely only when the data is symmetric and has no extreme outliers.
How is the midrange different from the range?
The range measures spread (maximum minus minimum), while the midrange measures the centre of that spread ((maximum plus minimum) divided by two). Both use only the two extreme values, but range answers "how wide is the data?" and midrange answers "where is the centre of that width?"
Can the midrange be a value that is not in the data set?
Yes. The midrange is the midpoint between the smallest and largest values, so it often falls between actual data points. For example, the midrange of 4 and 23 is 13.5, even if 13.5 does not appear in the data.
When should I use the midrange instead of the mean or median?
The midrange is best when you need a fast estimate from a symmetric data set with no extreme outliers, or when you only have access to the highest and lowest values (as in daily weather summaries). For most analytical tasks, the mean or median gives a more reliable picture because they consider all the data, not just the endpoints.
What does it mean when the midrange is much higher than the mean?
It usually signals that a single very large outlier has inflated the maximum, pulling the midrange upward while the mean, which weighs all values, is less affected. Check the sorted list for a value that stands far apart from the rest.