Midrange Calculator
The midpoint between the largest and smallest value — the simplest measure of centre, and the least robust.
Midrange = (max + min) ÷ 2.
How the midrange calculator works
Midrange = (max + min) ÷ 2. It uses exactly two of your observations and throws the rest away, which makes it instant to compute and completely at the mercy of a single bad value.
It is shown here alongside the mean, median and mode because comparing them is genuinely informative: when the midrange sits far from the median, the data has a long tail on one side.
Formula: midrange = (max + min) / 2
Worked examples
| Inputs | Midrange | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42 | 23 | midrange 23, median 15.5 |
| Symmetric data | 3 | midrange = median = mean = 3 |
| With one extreme | 500.5 | the midrange is pulled to 500.5 |
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is the midrange?
The average of the largest and smallest values — the midpoint of the range.
Is it a useful measure of centre?
Rarely. It has a breakdown point of zero: one wrong value can move it arbitrarily far.
When is it used?
Quick summaries where the extremes are the point — daily temperature is conventionally reported as the midrange of the high and low.
How does it compare to the median?
The median uses the middle of the *ordering*; the midrange uses the middle of the *values*. On symmetric data they agree; on skewed data they diverge sharply.
Does it tell me anything about shape?
Yes, in comparison. A midrange well above the median means a long right tail.
Where these figures come from
- NIST Digital Library of Mathematical Functions — reference definitions for elementary and special functions
- Wolfram MathWorld — definitions and formulas for every topic on this page
- NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods — the statistical formulas (mean, variance, z, confidence intervals, sample size)
- Australian Curriculum (ACARA) — Mathematics — the terms and methods taught in Australian schools
Last checked: September 2026. Formulas are fixed by mathematics and do not change with tax years or regulations.