EXCEL SOLUTIONS

MEDIAN function in Excel

Finds the middle value. Half the numbers are above it and half below, so a few huge values do not distort it.

IntermediateTotals and maths

Syntax

=MEDIAN(number1, [number2], ...)
Arguments of MEDIAN
ArgumentWhat it means
number1The numbers, cells or range.

Examples with results

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

Team list (fictional)

RowABCDE
1NameDepartmentSalaryStart dateRating
2Amira HassanFinance92002019-03-044
3Ben CarterSales78002021-07-193
4Chen WeiSales81002020-01-135
5Dina AliHR72002022-09-014
6Emil NovakOperations69002018-11-262
7Farah KhanFinance104002016-05-095
8Gabriel SilvaOperations65002023-02-143
Team list (fictional) Row 1 holds the headings. All data is fictional. Dates are year-month-day.

Download CSV

  • =MEDIAN(C2:C8)7800

    Middle salary

  • =ROUND(AVERAGE(C2:C8),2)8014.29

    The average, for comparison

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 MEDIAN at work

  • HR

    A typical salary that one very high pay does not skew.

    =MEDIAN(C2:C8)7800
    Data: Team list (fictional)
  • Finance and accounting

    Typical invoice size.

    =MEDIAN(C2:C6)1250
    Data: Customer invoices (fictional)

Common mistakes and tips

  • With an even number of values, MEDIAN averages the two middle ones.

Works in

All versions of Excel, and Google Sheets.

Related formulas

AVERAGE

Lessons that use it

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