Average Calculator: How to Calculate an Average

Averages are everywhere in daily life — whether you’re tracking your morning commute, monitoring your energy bill, or checking your cricket batting score. Understanding how to calculate an average is a key skill for students, professionals, and anyone dealing with numbers.

This guide covers everything from simple averages to weighted averages and moving averages, as well as how to calculate them in Excel. Plus, if you need quick results, our online average calculator does the work for you — no maths required!

How to Calculate an Average?

Averages are useful in everyday life, whether you're tracking your morning commute, checking your fitness progress, or even measuring your household expenses.

To calculate the mean average, use this formula:

Average = Sum of All Values​ ÷ Number of Values

For example

Let’s say you cycle to work every morning through Hyde Park. Some days the roads are clear, and other days you hit heavy traffic. Over the past five days, your commute times were 30, 35, 32, 33, and 40 minutes.

So the average time you've taken would be:

(30 + 35 + 32 + 33 + 40) ÷ 5 ​= 170 ÷ 5 ​= 34

Therefore, on average, your daily cycle takes 34 minutes.

How to Calculate a Weighted Average?

A weighted average gives more importance to certain values. It’s commonly used in A-Level grading, mortgage rates, and financial calculations.

A weighted average accounts for different levels of importance (weights) given to each value. Here is how Weighted Averages are calculated:

Weighted Average = ∑(Value × Weight) ÷ ∑Weights

The ∑ symbol here denotes "sum of".

For example

You’re applying to King’s College London, and your final grade is based on coursework (40%) and an exam (60%).

• Coursework: 80%
• Final exam: 70%

Your final grade would be:

((80×0.4) + (70×0.6)) ÷ 1 = (32 + 42) ÷ 1 = 74%

So, your final grade is 74%, with the exam carrying more weight.

How to Calculate a Moving Average?

Moving averages are used to spot trends over time, whether you’re running a coffee shop, analysing stocks, or tracking weather changes.

For example

You own a small café in Manchester and want to track weekly sales trends. Your weekly earnings are:

• Week 1: £500
• Week 2: £520
• Week 3: £510
• Week 4: £530
• Week 5: £550

1st average: (500 + 520 + 510) ÷ 3 = £510
2nd average: (520 + 510 + 530) ÷ 3 = £520
3rd average: (510 + 530 + 550) ÷ 3 = £530

This smooths out fluctuations and helps predict peak sales periods.

How to Calculate a General Average?

A general average is used to calculate an overall mark in A-Level and GCSE grading.

Let's say you're waiting for your A-Level results, and you need an 85% average for admission to University College London (UCL).

Therefore, your average grade would be:

(85 + 90 + 88 + 80) ÷ 4 = 85.75%

Great news — you’ve met the requirement! 

How to Calculate Average Speed?

Knowing your average speed is useful for commuters, runners, and drivers. Here's how average speed is calculated:

Average Speed = Distance Travelled ÷ Time Taken

For example

You’re driving from London to Birmingham (120 miles) and want to check your average speed.

You complete the journey in 2.5 hours. So what is your average speed?

Average speed = Distance travelled ÷ Time taken = 120 ÷ 2.5 = 48 mph

So, your average speed was 48 mph.

The M1 motorway uses average-speed cameras to monitor drivers — so keep an eye on those signs!

Percentage Average Calculator: How do you calculate an average percentage?

Ever wondered how much your bills have increased over time? Whether it’s your monthly energy bill or your annual rent increase, you can find the average percentage change.

Good to know

Your energy bills for the past three months:

• January: £100
• February: £110
• March: £120

Your average monthly bill will be calculated as:

(100 + 110 + 120)​ ÷ 3 = 110

So, on average, your monthly bill is £110.

Grade Average Calculator

Whether you’re studying for GCSEs, A-Levels, or university coursework, your final grade is often based on multiple assignments, coursework, and exams.

Imagine you’re preparing for your A-Level results and need a minimum 85% average to get into King’s College London. You’ve received the following grades:

Your average grade would be:

(85 + 90 + 88 + 80) ÷ 4 = 85.75%

You’ve hit your target! 

How to Calculate Average NHS Pension Per Month?

If you work in the NHS, understanding your average monthly pension can help you plan for retirement. The NHS Pension Scheme is based on your salary, years of service, and pension type (1995/2008/2015 schemes).

Annual NHS Pension = (Years of Service × Final Salary​) ÷ 80

Monthly Pension = Annual Pension ÷ 12

• Years of Service = The number of years you worked in the NHS (e.g., 30 years).
• Final Salary = Your salary at retirement (e.g., £40,000).
• 80 = The accrual rate specific to the 1995 NHS Pension Scheme (it determines how much of your salary counts toward your pension).

For example

You are a Band 6 nurse retiring after 30 years of service, with a final salary of £40,000 under the 1995 NHS Pension Scheme.

• Your average yearly pension is calculated as: Years of Service × Final Salary ÷ 80 30 × 40,000 ÷ 80 = £15,000 per year
• Divide by 12 to get the average monthly NHS pension: 15,000 ÷ 12 = £1,250 per month

Different NHS Pension Schemes have different rules. The 2015 Scheme works on a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) basis, not a final salary.

Blood Pressure Average Calculator

Your blood pressure changes throughout the day — whether you're stuck in traffic on the M25 or winding down with a cuppa in the evening. To get an accurate reading, doctors recommend taking multiple measurements at different times.

How to Calculate Your Blood Pressure Average

• Measure your blood pressure three times a day — morning, afternoon, and evening.
• Record both systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) numbers.
• Add up all readings and divide by the number of measurements.

Example of how to calculate average BP

Let’s say you check your blood pressure at home over three days:

• Morning: 118/75 mmHg
• Afternoon: 124/78 mmHg
• Evening: 121/72 mmHg

Systolic = (118 + 124 + 121) ÷ 3 = 121

Diastolic = (75 + 78 + 72) ÷ 3 = 75

Final average: 121/75 mmHg

This method gives you a more reliable reading than a single measurement. 

Stock Average Calculator: How to calculate average stocks

Thinking of investing in FTSE 100 stocks or tracking your ISA portfolio? When you buy shares at different prices, it’s useful to calculate the average price you paid.

You invest in Tesco shares and buy:

• 10 shares at £2.50 each (£25 total)
• 5 more shares at £3.00 each (£15 total)

What will your average stock price be?

(10 × 2.50) + (5 × 3.00) ÷ (10+5) = (25 +15) ÷ 15 = £2.67

Your average stock price is £2.67 per share.

How to Calculate Average Pace?

If you’re a runner, cyclist, or walker, tracking your average pace helps you improve performance and plan race times.

Average Pace = Distance Travelled ÷ Time Taken

For example

You just ran the Great North Run (21.1 km / 13.1 miles) in 2 hours and 10 minutes.

• Convert time into minutes: 2 hours 10 minutes = 130 minutes
• Divide by distance: 130 ÷ 21.1 = 6.16 minutes per km

Your average pace is 6 minutes 10 seconds per km.

How to Calculate Average Weight?

Your weight naturally fluctuates, whether you're tracking weight loss, monitoring your baby’s growth, or managing a fitness goal. Taking an average weight gives a clearer picture.

Average Weight = Total Recorded Weights ÷ Number of Measurements

Example: Tracking Weight Loss Over a Month

You're on a fitness journey and weigh yourself weekly:

So here's how you'd calculate your average weight:

(82 + 81 + 80.5 + 79.8) ÷ 4 ​= 80.8 kg

Your average weight over the month is 80.8 kg.

Good to know

The NHS recommends using weekly weight averages instead of daily readings for accuracy.

How to Calculate Average Price?

Whether you're buying a house, investing in stocks, or comparing supermarket deals, knowing the average price helps you make better financial decisions.

Average Price = Total Cost of Items ÷ Number of Items

Buying a Home in London

You’re looking to buy a three-bedroom house in Greater London. You check three properties:

• £480,000 in Croydon
• £510,000 in Ealing
• £495,000 in Walthamstow

(480,000 + 510,000 + 495,000) ÷ 3 = 495,000

So, the average price for a three-bed home is £495,000.

Zoopla and Rightmove use similar calculations to estimate average property prices in your area.

How to Calculate an Average in Excel?

Need a quick way to average numbers in Excel?

Steps:

• Enter your data into a column.
• Click on an empty cell and type: =AVERAGE(A1:A5) (This is assuming your values are in the cells A1 to A5)
• Press Enter, and Excel will display the result.

Good to know

Use "=SUMPRODUCT(values, weights)/SUM(weights)" for a weighted average in Excel.

Dice Average Calculator

Planning a board game night? If you're rolling dice for Dungeons & Dragons or a Monopoly tournament, knowing the average roll can give you a strategic edge!

Example:

For a six-sided die (D6): (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5+ 6) ÷ 6 = 3.5

For two dice (2D6): (2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 + 11 + 12) ÷  11 = 7

So, on average, you’ll roll a 7 in a two-dice game.

Try our Dice Average Calculator for quick game insights!

Batting Average Calculator

Cricket fans, this one’s for you! If you want to compare your batting average to Joe Root or simply track your Sunday League stats, here’s how.

Formula to calculate batting average:

Batting Average = Total Runs Scored ÷ Total Number of Times Out

For example

You score 450 runs in a village cricket tournament and get out 9 times.

Your batting average = 450 ÷ 9 = 50.00

Your batting average is 50.00—not bad! 

How to Find the Average of 2 Numbers?

Let’s say you and your mate split the bill at Nando’s. Your meal cost £12, and theirs cost £18.

So as we have seen before,

Average of two numbers = Sum of all numbers ÷ number of values

Therefore, average = (12 +18) ÷ 2 = 15

So, the average meal price was £15 per person!

Nishadh Mohammed

Nishadh Mohammed is a seasoned news editor and financial writer, working with HelloSafe since May 2023. Nishadh has developed expertise in financial markets, insurance, and investment products, with a deep understanding of the Canadian financial landscape. He has honed his SEO skills and content marketing strategies while writing for Canadian publishing houses. Armed with a master's in Business Analytics and extensive journalistic experience, Nishadh uniquely combines data proficiency and thorough research to deliver comprehensive and accessible information.