Mean Absolute Deviation Calculator
Calculate the average absolute distance from the mean.
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Enter your numbers separated by commas or spaces. The calculator finds the mean, then computes the average of the absolute differences between each value and the mean. This gives the MAD, a straightforward measure of data spread that is easier to interpret than variance.
About Mean Absolute Deviation
MAD measures the average distance of each data point from the mean. Unlike standard deviation, it does not square the deviations, making it less sensitive to outliers. MAD is in the same units as the original data. While standard deviation is more widely used in inferential statistics, MAD is preferred when robustness to outliers is important or when a simpler interpretation is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does MAD differ from standard deviation?
MAD averages absolute deviations while standard deviation averages squared deviations then takes the square root. Squaring gives more weight to large deviations, so standard deviation is more sensitive to outliers. For a normal distribution, MAD is about 0.8 times the standard deviation.
Is MAD always smaller than standard deviation?
For most distributions, yes. Because standard deviation squares deviations before averaging, it amplifies larger gaps. MAD treats all deviations equally.
When should I use MAD?
Use MAD when you want a simple, robust measure of spread that is not inflated by outliers. It is common in quality control and in teaching statistics as an intuitive introduction to variability.