- 1Enter your data points in the text area, separated by commas, spaces, or line breaks.
- 2The calculator instantly displays the range, along with the minimum and maximum values found in the dataset.
- 3The result updates automatically as you edit the data.
The range is the simplest measure of spread (dispersion) in a dataset. It measures the difference between the largest and smallest values. The range gives you a quick sense of how spread out the data is, but it only considers the two extreme values and ignores everything in between.
Subtract the minimum value from the maximum value.
Range = Maximum − Minimum | Example: Dataset [4, 7, 12, 19] → Range = 19 − 4 = 15The spread between the largest and smallest value in the data set.
Range = Maximum − MinimumTemperatures: 14°C, 18°C, 22°C, 28°C, 31°C → Max = 31, Min = 14Max = 30; Min = 5; Range = 30 − 5Max = Min = 7; Range = 7 − 7- The range is very sensitive to outliers. A single extreme value can dramatically increase the range without reflecting the spread of the majority of the data.
- For a more complete picture of data spread, consider using standard deviation or variance, which account for every value in the dataset.
- For a fuller picture of spread, pair the range with standard deviation or variance, which use every value in the set.
Can the range be zero?
Yes. If all values in the dataset are the same, the maximum equals the minimum and the range is 0.
Can the range be negative?
No. The range is always the maximum minus the minimum, so it is always zero or positive, even if the dataset contains negative numbers.
Does the range consider values between the extremes?
No. It only uses the maximum and minimum, so a single unusual value can make the range much larger than the bulk of the data suggests.
Can the range be zero?
Yes, when every value in the set is the same the maximum equals the minimum and the range is 0.