Variance Calculator
Calculate the variance of a dataset — how spread out its values are from the mean.
Calculate
Enter your values below.
Result
Variance
0
Formula used
Variance is the average squared distance from the mean. Sample variance divides by (n−1); population variance divides by n.
Example: 2, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 7, 9 (sample) → variance ≈ 4.57.
How to use this calculator
- Enter Numbers (comma-separated).
- Choose Dataset type.
- Press Calculate to see your result instantly.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between sample and population variance?
Sample variance divides by n−1 (Bessel's correction) to reduce bias when estimating from a subset; population variance divides by n when you have every data point.
Which should I choose?
Use sample if your data is a subset of a larger group; use population if your data is the entire group of interest.
How is variance related to standard deviation?
Standard deviation is the square root of variance.
Do I need at least 2 numbers?
Yes for sample variance (division by n−1); population variance works with 1 or more.