Mean Absolute Deviation Calculator
meanabsolutedeviationcalculator.com

Mean Absolute Deviation (about the mean)

Paste numbers separated by commas, spaces, or new lines. Each line is treated as a separate dataset. Median absolute deviation is supported on a separate tool.

Digits:
4

Computation

Calculation steps

How the Mean Absolute Deviation Calculator works

The tool parses every line as a separate dataset. Within each dataset it finds numbers (integers or decimals, including negatives), computes the arithmetic mean x̄, then averages the absolute distances from this mean: MAD = (1/n) ∑ |xᵢ − x̄|. Results update instantly as you type; use the Digits control to format output (rounding is display‑only).

How to use the MAD calculator

  1. Paste or type your data. Separate values with commas, spaces, or new lines.
  2. Optionally divide groups by placing each dataset on its own line.
  3. Adjust Digits to set decimal precision in the results.
  4. Copy the results table for reports using Copy results.

Info

  • What is MAD? The average absolute distance from the mean.
  • What is Mean Absolute Deviation? A measure of typical spread that is easy to interpret in the original units.
  • MAD formula: MAD = (1/n) ∑ |xᵢ − x̄|.
  • Mean vs median absolute deviation: The median version is more robust to outliers; the mean version changes smoothly with the mean and is slightly more efficient on normal data.
  • Examples: For 2,8,6,8,6,8,10,12, mean = 7.5 and MAD = 2.125. For 10,4,12,4,2,10,10,6, mean = 7.25 and MAD = 3.25. For 9,2,9,9,5,4,9,1,4,10, mean = 6.2 and MAD = 3.0.

FAQs

What is MAD?
MAD (Mean Absolute Deviation) is the average of |xᵢ − x̄| over the dataset.
What is Mean Absolute Deviation?
It measures typical spread around the mean in the same units as your data.
Mean Absolute Deviation formula (MAD formula)
MAD = (1/n) ∑ |xᵢ − x̄| with x̄ = (1/n)∑xᵢ.
Should I use Mean Absolute Deviation or Median Absolute Deviation?
Use the median version when you need outlier‑resistant spread; use the mean version for smooth, differentiable behavior and when outliers are not extreme.
How do I calculate mean absolute deviation?
Find the mean, compute absolute deviations from it, then average them. This tool performs those steps as you type.
What is the mean absolute deviation of 2,8,6,8,6,8,10,12?
Mean = 7.5, MAD = 2.125.
What is the mean absolute deviation of 10 4 12 4 2 10 10 6?
Mean = 7.25, MAD = 3.25.
What is the mean absolute deviation of 9 2 9 9 5 4 9 1 4 10?
Mean = 6.2, MAD = 3.0.