What is the syntax for HARMEAN in Excel?

The syntax for HARMEAN is: =HARMEAN(number1, [number2], ...)

What is HARMEAN and when should I use it?

HARMEAN calculates the harmonic mean: n/(1/x₁ + 1/x₂ + ... + 1/xₙ). Use it for averaging rates, speeds, or ratios. If you drive 60 mph one way and 40 mph back, HARMEAN(60,40)=48 mph is your true average speed, not 50.

Why is harmonic mean different from arithmetic mean?

Harmonic mean gives more weight to smaller values. For rates/speeds, time spent matters: at 40 mph you spend more time than at 60 mph for the same distance. HARMEAN accounts for this, AVERAGE doesn't. HARMEAN ≤ GEOMEAN ≤ AVERAGE always.

What are practical uses of HARMEAN?

Average speeds over equal distances, average P/E ratios weighted by investment, parallel resistance in electronics (1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2), and any situation where you're averaging rates with a common numerator (like distance/time).

Statistical

HARMEAN Function in Excel

Returns the harmonic mean of a data set of positive numbers.

Syntax

=HARMEAN(number1, [number2], ...)

Arguments

number1 (required): First number or range
number2 (optional): Additional numbers or ranges

Examples

=HARMEAN(A1:A10) - Harmonic mean - Result: Mean value

HARMEAN for data analysis

Confirm whether you need entire columns, filtered subsets, or distinct values.
Use [COUNTIFS](/functions/countifs/) and [SUMIFS](/functions/sumifs/) for multi-criteria metrics.
Pivot tables complement single-cell statistical formulas for exploration.

Common errors

#NUM! if any value <= 0

Use cases

Average rates
Speed calculations
Resistance calculations

Frequently asked questions

What is HARMEAN and when should I use it? HARMEAN calculates the harmonic mean: n/(1/x₁ + 1/x₂ + ... + 1/xₙ). Use it for averaging rates, speeds, or ratios. If you drive 60 mph one way and 40 mph back, HARMEAN(60,40)=48 mph is your true average speed, not 50.
Why is harmonic mean different from arithmetic mean? Harmonic mean gives more weight to smaller values. For rates/speeds, time spent matters: at 40 mph you spend more time than at 60 mph for the same distance. HARMEAN accounts for this, AVERAGE doesn't. HARMEAN ≤ GEOMEAN ≤ AVERAGE always.
What are practical uses of HARMEAN? Average speeds over equal distances, average P/E ratios weighted by investment, parallel resistance in electronics (1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2), and any situation where you're averaging rates with a common numerator (like distance/time).

Editorial review

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