Statistics

Variance Calculator

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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Calculate Variance with Step-by-Step Solution

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.

What is Variance?

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)

How to Calculate Variance

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Variance Calculator Applications

Statistics Education

Learn variance calculation with step-by-step breakdown.

Quality Control

Measure consistency in manufacturing processes.

Finance

Analyze investment risk and portfolio diversification.

Research

Assess data variability in experiments.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.