EXCEL SOLUTIONS

AVERAGE function in Excel

Finds the average (the mean) of the numbers in a range.

BeginnerTotals and maths

Syntax

=AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)
Arguments of AVERAGE
ArgumentWhat it means
number1The numbers, cells or range to average.
number2, ...Optional. More numbers or ranges.

Examples with results

Every result below is calculated by the practice engine on the sample data shown, not typed in by hand.

Class scores (fictional)

RowABCD
1StudentMathsScienceEnglish
2Layla788591
3Omar627058
4Priya958892
5Quinn455261
6Rosa887984
Class scores (fictional) Row 1 holds the headings. All data is fictional. Dates are year-month-day.

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  • =AVERAGE(B2:B6)73.6

    Average Maths score

  • =ROUND(AVERAGE(B2:D2),1)84.7

    Layla’s average across three subjects, rounded to one decimal

Try it yourself

Change the formula or switch to other sample data.

Press Calculate to see the result.

The practice box runs in your browser with BDK’s own calculator, which covers about 60 common functions. Cell references work as in Excel (B2, B2:B9). Your formulas are not saved or sent anywhere. For anything unusual, check the result in Excel itself.

How people use AVERAGE at work

  • Education

    Class average for Science.

    =AVERAGE(C2:C6)74.8
    Data: Class scores (fictional)
  • HR

    Average salary across the team.

    =ROUND(AVERAGE(C2:C8),2)8014.29
    Data: Team list (fictional)

Common mistakes and tips

  • Empty cells and text are skipped, but a zero is counted. A blank score is not the same as 0.
  • If no cell contains a number the result is a #DIV/0! error. Wrap it in IFERROR if the range can be empty.

Works in

All versions of Excel, and Google Sheets.

Related formulas

MEDIANAVERAGEIFROUND

Lessons that use it

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