Mean, median, mode and range for kids
Mean, median, mode and range are four ways to describe a set of numbers. The first three tell you a typical value; the range tells you how spread out the numbers are. This page explains each one with a worked example and a dot plot, includes a calculator that shows its working, and links statistics and probability worksheets.
What kids learn about statistics, grade by grade
- Grades 2–5: picture graphs, bar graphs and line plots: collecting data and reading it.
- Grade 6 (6.SP.A.1 to 6.SP.B.5): statistical questions, mean, median, mode and range, dot plots, histograms and box plots.
- Grade 7 (7.SP): comparing two groups using their centers and spreads, and probability.
- Grade 8 (8.SP): scatter plots, lines of best fit and two-way tables.
Where to start with mean, median, mode and range
With data your child cares about: how many minutes each family member read today, goals scored in each game, or the heights of the family. Real numbers make “typical” mean something.
The big idea
A list of numbers is hard to take in at a glance. These four measures each sum it up in one number. Take the data 4, 8, 6, 5, 8, 3, 9: the number of books seven friends read this month.
Mean, median, mode and range, explained
Mean: the average
Add all the values and divide by how many there are. 4 + 8 + 6 + 5 + 8 + 3 + 9 = 43, and 43 ÷ 7 ≈ 6.14. The mean is what everyone would have if the books were shared out equally.
Median: the middle
Put the values in order: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 8, 9. The middle one is 6. With an even number of values, take the halfway point between the two middle ones.
Mode: the most common
The value that appears most often: 8, which appears twice. A set can have no mode or more than one.
Range: the spread
Biggest minus smallest: 9 − 3 = 6. A big range means the values are spread out; a small range means they are close together.
A rhyme many teachers use: “Hey diddle diddle, the median’s the middle, you add then divide for the mean. The mode is the one that appears the most, and the range is the difference between.”
Mean, median, mode and range calculator
Type any numbers. You’ll see them in order and each measure with its working.
Mean or median: which one to use
Use the median when a few values are much bigger or smaller than the rest. If six children have $5 pocket money and one has $100, the mean is about $18.57, which describes nobody. The median, $5, is far more typical. Use the mean when the values are fairly even, and the mode for things that aren’t numbers, like the most popular ice cream flavor.
Where kids get stuck
Statistics and probability worksheets
Mean, median, mode and range
Probability
Compound probability
Mixed review, grades 6–8Make a fresh mean, median, mode and range test · Data and graphs chart · Probability chart
How to teach statistics at home
Track something for a week
Minutes of reading, steps, or the temperature each morning. At the end of the week, find all four measures together.
Use sports scores
Points per game for a favorite player. Is the mean or the median a fairer picture of a typical game?
Measure the family
Heights or shoe sizes of everyone at home. Line people up in height order to find the median in real life.
Last reviewed
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between mean, median, mode and range?
The mean is the average (add and divide), the median is the middle value in order, the mode is the most common value, and the range is the biggest minus the smallest. The first three describe a typical value; the range describes how spread out the data is.
How do you find the median of an even set of numbers?
Put them in order and take the two middle numbers. The median is halfway between them. For 3, 5, 8, 10 the middle pair is 5 and 8, so the median is 6.5.
Can there be more than one mode?
Yes. If two values tie for most common, both are modes. If every value appears once, there is no mode.
When should you use the median instead of the mean?
When there are extreme values. Five houses worth $200,000 and one worth $5 million have a mean far above what most houses cost; the median of $200,000 is more typical.
Is the mean always one of the numbers?
No. The mean of 2, 3 and 6 is 11 ÷ 3 = 3.67, which is not in the list. The median and mode are always values from the data, or halfway between two of them.
What grade learns mean, median and mode?
Grade 6 (6.SP.A.3 and 6.SP.B.5) introduces mean, median, mode and range, along with dot plots, histograms and box plots. Grade 7 uses them to compare two groups.