Calculate the range (max minus min), spread, and distribution metrics for any dataset.
Last updated: March 2026
Range is the simplest measure of spread in a dataset. It represents the difference between the largest and smallest values, showing how far apart your data points are distributed.
Formula: Range = Maximum value minus Minimum value. While range is easy to calculate and understand, it can be misleading if your data contains outliers. The range only considers two data points and ignores everything in between.
Range is most useful for quick assessments of data variability. For more robust measures, consider interquartile range (IQR), variance, or standard deviation, which account for all data points or central tendencies.
Scores: 14, 27, 3, 88, 45, 12, 67, 5, 39, 72
Range only uses the two extreme values, ignoring all data in between. A single outlier can dramatically inflate the range.
No. Range is always non-negative since it is a difference between maximum and minimum values.
Range is quick and intuitive for initial assessments. IQR is more robust, but range remains useful for overall spread visualization.
You need at least 2 data points to calculate range (one minimum and one maximum).
Both measure spread. For normal distributions, range is roughly 4 to 6 times the standard deviation.
Use range for quick spread assessment or when you need simplicity. For detailed analysis, prefer variance, standard deviation, or IQR.
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