Reviewed by: David Chen, CFA
David Chen is a Certified Financial Analyst with over 10 years of experience in statistics and finance.
David Chen is a Certified Financial Analyst with over 10 years of experience in statistics and finance.
Use this tool to calculate the standard deviation of a set of data values and learn about its significance in statistics.
Standard Deviation Calculator
Not calculated yet.
Standard Deviation Formula
Formula: √(Σ(x – μ)² / N)
Where:
- x: Each data point
- μ: Mean of the data
- N: Number of data points
Formula Source: Investopedia
Variables
- x: Each individual data point in your dataset.
- μ: The mean (average) of the dataset.
- N: The total number of data points.
Related Calculators
What is Standard Deviation?
Standard deviation is a measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of data values. A low standard deviation means that the values tend to be close to the mean of the set, while a high standard deviation means that the values are spread out over a wider range.
How to Calculate Standard Deviation (Example)
- Step 1: Enter your data values in the input field, separated by commas.
- Step 2: Click “Calculate” to get the result.
- Step 3: The result will display both the standard deviation and the calculation steps.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the difference between variance and standard deviation? Variance measures the average degree to which each data point differs from the mean, while standard deviation is the square root of variance, giving a more interpretable measure of spread.
- How do I interpret standard deviation? A smaller standard deviation means the data points are clustered around the mean, while a larger standard deviation indicates a greater spread.
- Can standard deviation be negative? No, standard deviation is always non-negative.