How it works.
AVERAGE calculates the arithmetic mean of a range of cells. It sums up all numeric values in the specified range and divides the sum by the count of those numeric values.
💡 In simple terms.
Calculates the average (arithmetic mean) of a group of numbers.
"Think of this like sharing cookies equally. If you pool all cookies together and divide them equally, you get the average cookies per person."
Formula syntax.
Standard Excel Notation=AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)[like_this] are optional; all other arguments are required.Formula arguments.
Every parameter accepted by the AVERAGE function is detailed below.
The first number, cell reference, or range you want to average.
Example value:B2:B6Additional numbers or ranges to average.
Simple example.
Step-by-Step ScenarioCalculate Average Class Score
Calculate the average score of students in a test in column B.
| Student | Test Score | Grade | Class Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anna | 85 | B | — | — |
| Ben | 92 | A | — | — |
| Charlie | 78 | C | — | — |
=AVERAGE(B2:B6)Evaluates AVERAGE over the sample table cells, placing the verified output in cell D2.
Formula generator.
Full Generator WizardCustomize the argument fields below to generate a tailored AVERAGE formula ready to paste directly into your worksheet.
=AVERAGE()Expected result behavior.
Returns number 75 based on sample evaluation criteria and active cell references.
Best Practices
- Empty cells or cells with text are completely ignored by AVERAGE when computing the mean.
- Cells with a value of 0 ARE included in the average.
Common Mistakes
- If your range contains error values, AVERAGE will return the error. Be careful when text representations of numbers are used, as they are ignored.
Platform & version compatibility.
Verified platform compatibility matrix based on actual spreadsheet calculation engine specifications.
Core standard function supported across all modern and legacy Microsoft Excel versions (365, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010), as well as Excel for the Web and Mac.
100% compatible with Google Sheets. Uses identical argument order, data types, and standard calculation logic.
Frequently asked questions.
Technical Q&ACan I use AVERAGE across different worksheets in Excel?↓
Yes. You can reference cells located on other sheets by including the sheet name followed by an exclamation mark, for example: =AVERAGE(Sheet2!A2:A10). If the sheet name contains spaces, enclose it in single quotes: ='Q1 Report'!A2:A10.
What is the most common reason for errors in AVERAGE?↓
If your range contains error values, AVERAGE will return the error. Be careful when text representations of numbers are used, as they are ignored.
Does AVERAGE work identically in Google Sheets?↓
Yes, AVERAGE is supported in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets with standard evaluation behavior.