Google Sheets MEDIAN function
Returns the middle value of the sorted list. In Spanish Sheets it is called MEDIANA.
Syntax
English Sheets
=MEDIAN(value1, [value2], …)
Spanish Sheets (Mexico locale)
=MEDIANA(valor1, [valor2], …)
Spanish Sheets (Spain, Latin America)
=MEDIANA(valor1; [valor2]; …)
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| value1 | The first number or range. |
| value2optional | More numbers or ranges. |
Example
The average gets pulled by extreme values. MEDIAN is the middle value of the sorted list and MODE the most repeated one. For salaries, the median describes the typical employee better.
=MEDIAN(B2:B8)
Common mistake
With an even count it averages the two middle values. Unlike AVERAGE, one extreme value does not pull it.
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Practice MEDIAN
Type the formula in the sheet and check it instantly. Spanish or English function names both work. See all lessons
MEDIAN and MODE
The average gets pulled by extreme values. MEDIAN is the middle value of the sorted list and MODE the most repeated one. For salaries, the median describes the typical employee better.
The average (E2) is skewed by the director’s salary. In E3, calculate the median.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Employee | Salary | ||||
| 2 | Marisol | 12000 | Average | 25071.4286 | ||
| 3 | Fernando | 13500 | Median | |||
| 4 | Gabriela | 12000 | Mode | |||
| 5 | Hugo | 15000 | ||||
| 6 | Daniela | 12000 | ||||
| 7 | Óscar | 16000 | ||||
| 8 | Director | 95000 | ||||
| 9 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference.
Frequently asked questions
- What is MEDIAN called in Spanish?
- In Spanish Google Sheets it is MEDIANA. The formula =MEDIAN(B2:B8) is written =MEDIANA(B2:B8) (or with commas under a Mexico locale).
- Why does MEDIAN use semicolons in some spreadsheets?
- It depends on each spreadsheet's locale, under File > Settings. Where the comma is the decimal mark (Spain, much of South America), arguments are separated by semicolons. Mexico and United States locales use commas.
- What is the most common MEDIAN mistake?
- With an even count it averages the two middle values. Unlike AVERAGE, one extreme value does not pull it.