Range Calculator
Find the range, minimum and maximum of data.
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How it works
The range is the simplest measure of how spread out a set of numbers is, and this calculator finds it along with the minimum and maximum. You enter a list of numbers, and it returns the range, the smallest value, and the largest value. The range is simply the maximum minus the minimum, so it tells you the total span the data cover from the lowest to the highest point. A large range means the values are widely spread, while a small range means they cluster closely together. The range is quick to calculate and easy to understand, making it a common first look at variability in a data set, useful in everything from classroom statistics to quality control and weather reports. Its main limitation is that it depends only on the two extreme values and ignores everything in between, so a single unusually high or low outlier can make the range large even if most values are close together. For a more robust picture of spread that resists outliers, the interquartile range or standard deviation is often preferred, but the range remains a valuable, intuitive summary. It is always zero or positive, and it is zero only when all values are identical. Enter your list of numbers to compute the range, minimum, and maximum.
Range = maximum − minimum
The range of a data set is the difference between its largest and smallest values. The calculator finds the maximum and minimum of your numbers and subtracts the minimum from the maximum. It is the simplest measure of spread, showing the full span the data cover from lowest to highest.
Source:Descriptive statistics
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Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter values.
- 2
Adjust the options
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- 3
Read your result
Range updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
What is the range in statistics?
The range is the difference between the largest and smallest values in a data set. It measures the total spread of the data, from the lowest to the highest value. A larger range means more spread, while a range of zero means every value is the same. It is the simplest measure of variability.
How do you calculate the range?
Find the maximum value and the minimum value in your data, then subtract the minimum from the maximum. For the numbers 3, 7, 2, and 9, the maximum is 9 and the minimum is 2, so the range is 7. The calculator identifies the extremes and computes the range for you.
What is the limitation of the range?
The range depends only on the two most extreme values and ignores all the data in between. A single unusually large or small outlier can inflate it, giving a misleading sense of spread even if most values cluster tightly. For a more robust measure, the interquartile range or standard deviation is often better.
When is the range useful?
The range is useful for a quick, intuitive sense of how spread out data are, such as the difference between the highest and lowest temperature, test scores, or prices. It is easy to compute and understand, making it a good first summary, though it should be paired with other measures for a fuller picture.
Can the range be negative?
No, the range is always zero or positive, because it is the maximum minus the minimum, and the maximum is never less than the minimum. The range equals zero only when all the values in the data set are identical, meaning there is no spread at all between them.