Variance & Standard Deviation Calculator
Calculate the variance and standard deviation for a set of numbers, for both a sample and a population.
Population Variance (σ²): -
Sample Variance (s²): -
Population Standard Deviation (σ): -
Sample Standard Deviation (s): -
Use this variance calculator, calculate variance, variance calculation, data dispersion calculator, statistical variance tool calculator for quick, clear estimates. Try a tiny example to see the impact of each input.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is variance in statistics?
In statistics, variance is a measure of how much the values in a data set differ from the mean (average), indicating the spread or dispersion of the data points.
How is variance calculated?
Variance is calculated by taking the average of the squared differences from the mean. Specifically, you subtract the mean from each data point, square the result, sum all these squared differences, and then divide by the number of data points (or n-1 for sample variance).
What is the difference between variance and standard deviation?
Variance measures the average of the squared differences from the mean, while standard deviation is the square root of the variance. Standard deviation is often preferred because it is expressed in the same units as the original data, making it more interpretable.
Why is variance important?
Variance is important because it quantifies the spread of data points, providing insight into the consistency or variability within a dataset. A low variance indicates data points are close to the mean, while a high variance suggests they are spread out.