Median

The median is a fundamental measure of central tendency. It represents the middle value of an ordered dataset.

In short: the median splits a dataset into two equal halves. It is resistant to extreme values and often preferred when data is skewed.

Contents Definition How to calculate Examples Interpretation Median vs mean FAQ

What is the median?

The median is the value that lies exactly in the middle of a dataset once the values are sorted in ascending order.

Unlike the mean, the median is not affected by extremely large or small values.

Arrange all values from smallest to largest.

If the number of values is odd → take the middle value. If it is even → average the two middle values.

Dataset: 3, 7, 9, 12, 15 Median = 9

Dataset: 4, 6, 8, 10 Median = (6 + 8) / 2 = 7

Half of the values are below the median and half are above it. The median is especially useful when data is skewed or contains outliers.

The median is more robust than the mean when extreme values exist.

Both median and mean describe the center of a dataset, but they behave differently when extreme values are present.

For a deeper comparison, read:

Yes. When the dataset has an even number of values, the median is the average of the two middle numbers.

When data contains outliers or is not symmetrically distributed.

Continue learning → Mean vs Median → What is Mean → What is Mode → Central tendency hub → Mean calculator → Median calculator → Mode calculator