Statistical

AVERAGE Function in Excel

Returns the average (arithmetic mean) of the arguments.

Syntax

  • =AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)

Arguments

  • number1 (required): The first number or range to average
  • number2 (optional): Additional numbers or ranges

Examples

  • =AVERAGE(A1:A10) - Average all values in range - Result: 55
  • =AVERAGE(A1:A10, C1:C10) - Average multiple ranges - Result: 60

Excel AVERAGE function documentation

  • AVERAGE is a Statistical function that returns the arithmetic mean of numeric arguments.
  • Syntax: =AVERAGE(number1, [number2], …). Ignores text and blank cells; includes zeros.
  • Use [MEDIAN](/functions/median/) when outliers skew the mean (salaries, home prices).
  • Related: [AVERAGEIF](/functions/averageif/), [AVERAGEIFS](/functions/averageifs/), [SUM](/functions/sum/), [COUNT](/functions/count/).

AVERAGE syntax and what gets counted

  • Only numbers, dates, and numeric text count toward the average.
  • Blank cells are skipped entirely — they do not count as zero.
  • Zero is a numeric value and lowers the average when present.
  • AVERAGE is equivalent to =SUM(range)/COUNT(range) for the same numeric cells.

Step-by-step: average with audit column

  • Step 1 — List values in column B; confirm no text labels mixed in the range.
  • Step 2 — =AVERAGE(B2:B100) in your summary cell.
  • Step 3 — Helper check: =SUM(B2:B100)/COUNT(B2:B100) should match AVERAGE.
  • Step 4 — If results differ from expectations, inspect for hidden rows or text-formatted numbers.
  • Step 5 — For conditional means use =AVERAGEIF(range, criteria) or [AVERAGEIFS](/functions/averageifs/).

AVERAGE vs AVERAGEIF vs MEDIAN

  • AVERAGE — mean of all numeric values in the range.
  • AVERAGEIF — mean only where one condition matches (e.g. Region = East).
  • MEDIAN — middle value; resistant to extreme outliers.
  • Compare: [AVERAGEIF vs AVERAGEIFS](/compare/averageif-vs-averageifs/) when adding second criteria.

Worked examples to copy

  • Simple mean: =AVERAGE(C2:C500) for monthly KPI column.
  • Exclude zeros: =AVERAGEIF(C:C, ">0") when zeros are placeholders.
  • Grade average: =AVERAGE(D2:D30) on student score column.
  • With IFERROR guard: =IFERROR(AVERAGE(scores), "No data") when range may be empty.

People also ask

  • Does AVERAGE include zeros? — Yes. Zeros count as numeric values.
  • Why AVERAGE ignores my cells? — Cells contain text, blanks, or errors instead of numbers.
  • AVERAGE vs weighted average? — AVERAGE weights each value equally; use SUMPRODUCT for weights.
  • AVERAGE on filtered data? — Use SUBTOTAL(101, range) or AVERAGE on visible cells only.

Common errors

  • #DIV/0! when range is empty
  • Ignores text and empty cells

Use cases

  • Performance metrics
  • Grade calculations
  • Sales analysis

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the AVERAGE function in Excel? AVERAGE calculates the arithmetic mean of numbers. The syntax is =AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...). For example, =AVERAGE(A1:A10) returns the average of values in A1 through A10. AVERAGE ignores text and empty cells but includes zeros. It's one of Excel's most commonly used statistical functions.
  • What is the difference between AVERAGE and AVERAGEIF? AVERAGE calculates the mean of all numbers in a range, while AVERAGEIF only averages cells that meet a condition. AVERAGE: =AVERAGE(B:B) averages all numbers in column B. AVERAGEIF: =AVERAGEIF(A:A, "Sales", B:B) averages only values in B where A equals "Sales". Use AVERAGEIFS for multiple conditions.
  • Why is AVERAGE returning #DIV/0! error? AVERAGE returns #DIV/0! when there are no numeric values to average (empty range or all text). Solutions: 1) Ensure your range contains numbers; 2) Check if numbers are stored as text; 3) Use =IFERROR(AVERAGE(range), 0) to handle the error; 4) Verify the range reference is correct. AVERAGE needs at least one number to work.
  • Does AVERAGE include zeros and blank cells? AVERAGE includes zeros in the calculation but ignores blank cells and text. For example, if A1:A3 contains 10, 0, and blank, AVERAGE returns 5 (sum of 10/2 cells). To exclude zeros, use AVERAGEIF: =AVERAGEIF(A:A, "<>0"). To count blanks as zero, use AVERAGE with an array or helper column.
  • How do I calculate weighted average in Excel? Excel doesn't have a built-in weighted average function. Use SUMPRODUCT: =SUMPRODUCT(values, weights)/SUM(weights). Example: =SUMPRODUCT(A1:A5, B1:B5)/SUM(B1:B5) where A contains values and B contains weights. This multiplies each value by its weight, sums the products, and divides by total weight.

Editorial review

  • Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.

When to use AVERAGE

  • Performance metrics — common Statistical scenario for AVERAGE.
  • Grade calculations — common Statistical scenario for AVERAGE.
  • Sales analysis — common Statistical scenario for AVERAGE.

AVERAGE in the Statistical category

  • Browse all Statistical functions at /categories/statistical/ for related formulas.
  • AVERAGE syntax: =AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)
  • number1 (required): The first number or range to average
  • number2 (optional): Additional numbers or ranges
  • Confirm AVERAGE arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.

Formula checklist before you copy down

  • Confirm AVERAGE arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
  • If results look wrong, check for text stored as numbers and invisible spaces with TRIM.
  • Spot-check three known input rows manually against expected output.

Related Excel functions

  • AVERAGEIF (/functions/averageif/): Returns the average of cells that meet a single criterion.
  • AVERAGEIFS (/functions/averageifs/): Returns the average of cells that meet multiple criteria.
  • MEDIAN (/functions/median/): Returns the median (middle value) of the given numbers. The median is the number in the middle of a set of numbers.
  • MODE: see the functions directory for syntax and examples.

Errors to watch for

  • #DIV/0! when range is empty — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.
  • Ignores text and empty cells — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.

Copy-paste audit workflow

  • Enter AVERAGE on three test rows with known expected output documented on a QA tab.
  • Fill down only after absolute references are locked on lookup tables and rate tables.
  • Compare against manual calculation or a calculator for financial and statistical functions.
  • Search this directory for comparison guides when choosing between similar functions in the same category.

AVERAGE worked examples to copy

  • =AVERAGE(A1:A10) — Average all values in range. Expected result: 55.
  • =AVERAGE(A1:A10, C1:C10) — Average multiple ranges. Expected result: 60.

AVERAGE reference summary for crawlers and offline review

  • AVERAGE belongs to the Statistical category in Excel. Returns the average (arithmetic mean) of the arguments.
  • Full syntax: =AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...). Open /functions/average/ for parameters, FAQs, and related pages.
  • Common mistakes: #DIV/0! when range is empty; Ignores text and empty cells
  • Pair this function with comparison guides when another Excel formula might fit the same task better.
  • Review fix-excel-formula-errors when unexpected errors appear after upgrading Excel or sharing across locales.