Average Absolute Deviation Calculator
Mean Absolute Deviation Calculator works out Mean absolute deviation and Centre used from Data values and Measure deviations from. The default figures on this page give mean absolute deviation of 1.500000; change any entry and the result, the working and the sources update together.
Your figures
Updates as you typeHow this is worked out
4 steps
- Mean = 5 from 8 values.
- Absolute deviations: 3, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 2, 4.
- Sum = 12; divided by n = 8 gives 1.5.
- For comparison, the population standard deviation is 2, larger because squaring weights the far points more heavily.
Absolute deviationstable
Its 4 worked examples are re-run on every release, last on 15 September 2026. What changed
Sources and references
2 sources
What the Mean Absolute Deviation Calculator calculates
The mean absolute deviation of a data set: the average of the absolute distances of each value from the mean, divided by n (there is no n-1 correction, because this is a descriptive average rather than an estimator). It also reports the deviations themselves, the mean absolute deviation about the median, and the median absolute deviation, which is the different statistic that shares the acronym.
How to use this Mean Absolute Deviation Calculator
Enter Data values and Measure deviations from. Mean absolute deviation updates as you type, and “Use a worked example” loads checked figures you can adjust. Change one figure at a time to see what drives the result.
How the result is worked out
Open “How this is worked out” beside the result for the step-by-step calculation behind Mean absolute deviation, Centre used and Mean.
The method follows NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods, §1.3.5 Measures of scale and OpenStax, Introductory Statistics, chapter 2.7 (measures of the spread of the data).
A textbook set of eight values example
With Data values: 2,4,4,4,5,5,7,9, the calculator returns Mean: 5, Mean absolute deviation: 1.5, Sum of the absolute deviations: 12. This example is checked against an independent source in the test suite.
What you can compare
Change one input at a time to see how it affects Mean absolute deviation, Centre used and Mean. The inputs you can vary are Data values and Measure deviations from.
Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice. Check any decision that matters with a qualified professional.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the mean absolute deviation of 8 4 8 8 10 2 4 4?
On the figures this page opens with, the mean absolute deviation is 1.5. No single number fits everyone: it follows Data values and Measure deviations from, so enter your own above and the answer updates as you type.
What is the mean absolute deviation of 10 4 12 4 2 10 10 6?
It needs Data values and Measure deviations from. Nothing else is required, and the figures stay in your browser.
How do I find the mean absolute deviation?
The mean absolute deviation of a data set: the average of the absolute distances of each value from the mean, divided by n (there is no n-1 correction, because this is a descriptive average rather than an estimator). Open “How this is worked out” beside the result to see each step for your own figures.
What information do I need for the Mean Absolute Deviation Calculator?
You need Data values and Measure deviations from. The page opens with default figures that give mean absolute deviation of 1.500000, so you can see the scale before entering your own.
What does this Mean Absolute Deviation Calculator show?
It shows Mean absolute deviation, Centre used, Mean, Median, Mean absolute deviation about the mean, Mean absolute deviation about the median, Median absolute deviation and Sum of the absolute deviations, with the working and any warnings for your entries.
Can I check how the Mean Absolute Deviation Calculator result was calculated?
Yes. The “How this is worked out” section shows the calculation steps, and the sources section identifies the references used for the method.