The Excel AVERAGE function is super useful when you want to know the middle value of a set of numbers. It helps you find out what’s “normal” or “typical” in your data.
Let’s learn what it does, how to use it, and explore 5 examples you can relate to in daily life.
What Is the AVERAGE Function?
In simple words:
AVERAGE adds all the numbers and divides the total by how many numbers there are.
It’s like calculating:
(Total Marks) ÷ (Number of Subjects)
Syntax:
=AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)
Or simply:
=AVERAGE(range)
How to Use It (Basic Steps):
- Click on the cell where you want the average to appear.
- Type
=AVERAGE( - Select the cells with your numbers.
- Type
)and press Enter.
Example 1: Average of Marks
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Math | 80 |
| Science | 75 |
| English | 85 |
Formula:
=AVERAGE(B2:B4)
👉 Result: 80
(80 + 75 + 85) ÷ 3 = 80
Example 2: Average Monthly Expense
| Month | Expense (₹) |
|---|---|
| January | 12000 |
| February | 11500 |
| March | 13000 |
Formula:
=AVERAGE(B2:B4)
👉 Result: 12166.67
(12000 + 11500 + 13000) ÷ 3
Tip: You can round off with =ROUND(AVERAGE(B2:B4), 0) to get 12167.
Example 3: Average of Selected Cells
Suppose you want to average only a few values (not a full range).
| Day | Steps Walked |
|---|---|
| Mon | 5000 |
| Tue | 6000 |
| Wed | (empty) |
| Thu | 7000 |
| Fri | 8000 |
Formula:
=AVERAGE(B2, B3, B5)
👉 Result: 6333.33
(5000 + 6000 + 8000) ÷ 3
Note: It skips empty or non-numeric cells automatically.
Example 4: Average Sales with Zero Included
| Salesperson | Sales |
|---|---|
| A | 10000 |
| B | 0 |
| C | 8000 |
Formula:
=AVERAGE(B2:B4)
👉 Result: 6000
Because 0 is included in the calculation.
Tip: If you want to skip zero values, you need to filter or use an advanced formula.
Example 5: Average of Time
| Task | Duration (in mins) |
|---|---|
| 30 | |
| Meeting | 45 |
| Report | 60 |
Formula:
=AVERAGE(B2:B4)
👉 Result: 45 mins
Note: Excel can calculate average of time/duration too!
Bonus: Use AutoAverage (No Typing Needed)
- Click on the cell below your numbers.
- Go to Home > AutoSum (∑) dropdown.
- Click Average
- Press Enter
Summary
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Formula | =AVERAGE(range) |
| Skips Empty Cells? | Yes |
| Skips Zero Values? | ❌ No (It includes them) |
| Text in Range? | Ignored Automatically |
| Time/Date Averages? | ✅ Yes, works perfectly |
Real-Life Use Cases
- Find average marks in school
- Track average expenses per month
- Calculate average steps walked
- Compare average sales
- Know average delivery time
What’s Next?
In the next post, we’ll learn about the COUNT & COUNTA Function.