# What is the range of my data?

Finds the range of a list of numbers, the largest value minus the smallest, with the smallest, the largest, the midrange and the sorted list.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/statistics/range-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/statistics/range-calculator.json
- Version: af28a6a43453

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (Your numbers [7, 2, 10, 4, 9, 3]): The range of your 6 numbers is 8: from 2 to 10.

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| data | Your numbers | The data set: numbers separated by commas, spaces, semicolons or new lines. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| range | Range | The largest value minus the smallest value. |
| min | Smallest value | The minimum of the list. |
| max | Largest value | The maximum of the list. |
| midrange | Midrange | Halfway between the smallest and the largest value: (smallest + largest) ÷ 2. |
| count | Count | How many numbers are in the list. |
| sorted | Sorted list | The numbers from smallest to largest, as stored (up to 200 shown). |

## Method

range = largest − smallest; midrange = (smallest + largest) ÷ 2, in exact decimals.

## Assumptions

- Every number in the list counts, including repeats.
- Numbers are read as the exact decimals typed, so the range has no rounding error.
- The list holds 1 to 10,000 numbers.

## Worked examples

1. data = 7 or 2 gives range = 8, min = 2, max = 10, midrange = 6, count = 6, sorted = 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10. Source: NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods, §1.3.5.6 Measures of Scale: the range is the largest value minus the smallest value (https://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/eda/section3/eda356.htm, retrieved 2026-10-02).
2. data = -4.5 or 12 gives range = 16.5, min = -4.5, max = 12, midrange = 3.75. Source: NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods, §1.3.5.6 Measures of Scale: the range is the largest value minus the smallest value (https://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/eda/section3/eda356.htm, retrieved 2026-10-02).
3. data = 0.1 or 0.3 gives range = 0.2, midrange = 0.2. Source: NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods, §1.3.5.6 Measures of Scale: the range is the largest value minus the smallest value (https://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/eda/section3/eda356.htm, retrieved 2026-10-02).
4. data = 42 or undefined gives range = 0, min = 42, max = 42, midrange = 42. Source: NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods, §1.3.5.6 Measures of Scale: the range is the largest value minus the smallest value (https://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/eda/section3/eda356.htm, retrieved 2026-10-02).

## FAQ

### How do I find the range of a data set?

Find the largest value and the smallest value, then subtract: range = largest − smallest. For 7, 2, 10, 4, 9, 3 the largest is 10 and the smallest is 2, so the range is 10 − 2 = 8.

### Can the range be negative?

No. The largest value is never less than the smallest, so the range is 0 or more. It is 0 only when every number in the list is the same.

### How do I find the range with negative numbers?

The same way: largest minus smallest. For −4.5, 12, 0 and 3.25 the range is 12 − (−4.5) = 16.5. Subtracting a negative number adds its size.

### What is the midrange?

The point halfway between the smallest and the largest value: (smallest + largest) ÷ 2. For 2 and 10 it is 6. Like the range, it uses only the two extreme values.

### Why is the range not always a good measure of spread?

It depends only on the two extreme values, so one unusual value changes it a lot, and it says nothing about how the other values spread out. The NIST/SEMATECH handbook notes this; the standard deviation and the interquartile range use more of the data.

### Is the range the same as the range of a function?

No. In statistics the range is one number, the spread of a data set. The range of a function in algebra is the set of all its output values.

## Sources

- NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods, §1.3.5.6 Measures of Scale (range = largest value − smallest value), retrieved 2026-10-02. https://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/eda/section3/eda356.htm