5-Number Summary Calculator
Calculate min, Q1, median, Q3, and max for any dataset.
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Enter your data separated by commas or spaces. The calculator sorts your values and computes the five key statistics: minimum, first quartile (Q1), median, third quartile (Q3), and maximum. These five numbers provide a concise summary of data distribution and are the foundation for box-and-whisker plots.
About the Five-Number Summary
The five-number summary was popularized by John Tukey as part of exploratory data analysis. It captures the range (min to max), the central tendency (median), and the spread of the middle 50% (Q1 to Q3). Together these values reveal whether data is symmetric, skewed, or contains outliers. The interquartile range (Q3 minus Q1) is a robust measure of spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the five-number summary used for?
It provides a quick snapshot of data distribution. It is used to construct box plots, compare groups, and identify potential outliers. It is especially useful when the data is not normally distributed.
How does the five-number summary relate to a box plot?
A box plot visualizes the five-number summary. The box spans Q1 to Q3, a line marks the median, and whiskers extend to the min and max (or to the fences if outliers are present).
How many data points do I need?
You need at least one data point, but the summary is most meaningful with five or more. With very few values, the quartiles may equal the min or max.