How to calculate the range
The statistical range measures spread: subtract the smallest value from the largest. range = max − min. For 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42 the max is 42 and the min is 4, so the range is 42 − 4 = 38.
The range is reported in the same unit as the original data, so a range of 38 on test scores means 38 points separate the best and worst results.
How to use this calculator
Enter your numbers and leave unused fields blank. The result shows the range, plus the minimum and maximum used to compute it. For a spread measure that ignores extremes, try the interquartile range calculator.
Values can be entered in any order — the calculator finds the extremes itself — and negative numbers are handled correctly.
Range and outliers
Because the range uses only the two most extreme values, a single outlier can inflate it dramatically. For a more robust picture of spread, look at the IQR or the mean absolute deviation, and check the typical value with the median calculator.
The range also tends to grow with sample size, since larger samples are more likely to include extreme observations. That makes it a poor choice for comparing spread between data sets of different sizes.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I find the range?
- Subtract the smallest value from the largest. For 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42 the range is 42 − 4 = 38.
- Can the range be negative?
- No. Since you subtract the minimum from the maximum, the range is always zero or positive.
- What does a large range mean?
- A large range means the values are widely spread. It is sensitive to outliers, so check the IQR too.
- Does a blank field count?
- No. Only the values you enter are used to find the min and max.
- What does a range of zero mean?
- It means every value you entered is identical, so there is no spread at all. This is a valid result rather than an error, and it also occurs if you enter only a single value, since that number is both the maximum and the minimum.