Standard Deviation Calculator

Calculate sample or population standard deviation, variance, and mean.

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Standard Deviation Calculator: The Complete Guide

Measure how spread out your data is. Paste or type your numbers and choose sample or population to get the standard deviation, along with the variance, mean, and count.

Who the Standard Deviation Calculator is for

Students and analysts measuring the spread or volatility of a data set.

How to use the Standard Deviation Calculator

  1. Type your values into the fields above — pick your currency or units where the calculator offers them.
  2. Results update automatically as you type; there's no submit button and nothing is sent to a server.
  3. Adjust any input to compare scenarios, then copy the result with a single click.

How it works

Standard deviation = √(Σ(value − mean)² ÷ n). For a sample, divide by n − 1 (Bessel's correction) instead of n. Variance is the standard deviation squared.

Features

  • Sample & population
  • Variance and mean
  • Bessel's correction
  • Instant result

Sample vs. population

Standard deviation measures how far values typically fall from the mean — low means tightly clustered, high means spread out. Use the population formula when your data is the whole group, and the sample formula (dividing by n − 1) when it's a sample used to estimate a larger population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I pick sample or population?

Use 'population' when your numbers are the entire group, and 'sample' when they're a subset used to estimate a bigger population. Sample is the more common choice in research.

What's the difference from variance?

Variance is the average squared deviation; standard deviation is its square root, putting the spread back in the original units.

Is this calculator free and private?

Yes. It's completely free with no signup, and every calculation runs locally in your browser, so your numbers never leave your device.