Range Calculator

The range of a data set is the difference between its largest and smallest values. It is one of the simplest measures of spread in statistics, giving you an immediate sense of how wide your data runs from one extreme to the other. This range calculator finds the range, minimum, and maximum of any list of numbers in one step.

How to use this calculator

1. Enter your numbers in the input box, separated by commas, spaces, or new lines (for example, 2, 9, 5, 1, 7, 3).
2. The calculator displays the range — the gap from the smallest value to the largest.
3. It also shows the minimum and maximum values so you can see exactly where each endpoint falls.

Worked example

Take the data set 2, 9, 5, 1, 7, 3 (6 values).

First, identify the two extremes:

minimum = 1
maximum = 9

Then subtract the minimum from the maximum:

range = maximum - minimum
range = 9 - 1 = 8

The range of this data set is 8. That means the values span 8 units from the smallest (1) to the largest (9). For more on how the range fits among other measures of spread, see the NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook on measures of scale and spread.

Frequently asked questions

How do you find the range in statistics?

Finding the range is a two-step process: identify the minimum (smallest value) and the maximum (largest value) in your data set, then subtract. Range = maximum minus minimum. There is no averaging or squaring — it is the most direct measure of spread.

What do the minimum and maximum values mean?

The minimum is the single smallest number in your data set; the maximum is the single largest. The range is simply the distance between them. All three are returned by this calculator so you can see the full picture at a glance.

Why is the range sensitive to outliers?

Because it depends on just two values — the extremes — a single unusually high or low number can make the range look much larger than the typical spread of the rest of your data. When outliers are a concern, measures like the interquartile range or standard deviation give a more stable summary.

When is the range the right measure to use?

The range is ideal for small, clean data sets where you need a quick summary of spread. It also appears in quality-control charts (as the R-chart) and weather reports, where the daily high-minus-low gives an intuitive feel for variability without requiring complex calculations.