Calculate sample or population variance to measure how spread out your data values are from the mean
Use when data is a subset of a larger group (divides by n-1)
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Variance measures how far each data point is from the mean on average, squared. Our calculator shows the complete breakdown of deviations, making it perfect for learning statistics or verifying your calculations. Get both sample and population variance with detailed steps.
Variance (σ² or s²) is the average of squared differences from the mean. It tells you how spread out your data is. A variance of 0 means all values are identical to the mean. Higher variance means data is more spread out. Standard deviation is simply the square root of variance.
Variance Formula
s² = Σ(xᵢ - x̄)² / (n-1)Learn variance calculation with step-by-step breakdown.
Measure consistency in manufacturing processes.
Analyze investment risk and portfolio diversification.
Assess data variability in experiments.
Standard deviation is the square root of variance. While variance is in squared units (which can be hard to interpret), standard deviation is in the original units of your data, making it more intuitive for understanding spread.