Variance Calculator

Find population and sample variance, standard deviation, mean, range, and count from a list of numbers with this free variance calculator.

Calculate Variance

Variance = average of squared distances from the mean
Your result will appear here.

How variance is calculated

Mean:
Sum of values ÷ number of values

Population variance:
Σ(x − μ)² ÷ n

Sample variance:
Σ(x − x̄)² ÷ (n − 1)

Standard deviation:
√variance

Why variance matters

Variance measures how much the values in a dataset differ from the mean on average. It helps show consistency, spread, and volatility in the data.

It is commonly used in statistics, finance, science, business, and quality control.

What your result means

Your result shows how much the data varies around the mean using squared distance. A smaller variance means the values cluster more tightly around the average.

A larger variance means the values are more spread out, which may indicate more variability or inconsistency in the dataset.

Variance calculator tips

Frequently asked questions

What is variance?

Variance is the average squared distance between each value and the mean.

What is the difference between variance and standard deviation?

Variance is measured in squared units, while standard deviation is the square root of variance and is in the original units.

When should I use sample variance?

Use sample variance when the data is only a sample of a larger population.

Can I use decimals and negative numbers?

Yes. This calculator works with whole numbers, decimals, and negative values.