Free calculator
Variance calculator
Paste a list of numbers (from Google Sheets, Excel, or plain text) and choose sample or population. You get variance first, then standard deviation, mean, count, sum, and sum of squared deviations, with optional step-by-step rows for small lists. The Google Sheets & Excel block leads with VAR.S / VAR.P and shows STDEV.S / STDEV.P for the same conventions.
When to use this calculator
Quick variance and spread checks before you mirror the same logic in a workbook—transparent formulas, not a statistics suite.
- Classroom or self-study checks for variance with explicit sample vs population.
- Match
VAR.S/VAR.Pcells in Sheets or Excel against this page for the same denominator convention. - Compare squared spread (variance) across groups when SD is not the headline you want on screen.
- Need median, mode, or range without centering on variance? Use the mean median mode range tool in the methodology section below.
Start from your numeric list. The mean is the average; each deviation is value − mean; variance is the average of squared deviations with denominator n (population) or n − 1 (sample); standard deviation is the square root of variance.
Mean
x = (sum of values) ÷ n. Every deviation compares a value to this center.
Sum of squared deviations
For each x, compute (x − x)2 and add them. This sum (SS) feeds both variance formulas below.
Variance and denominator
Population variance uses SS ÷ n. Sample variance uses SS ÷ (n − 1) (undefined when n < 2, which is why sample mode requires at least two values). Pick the mode that matches VAR.P vs VAR.S.
Standard deviation
SD = √variance. It has the same units as your original measurements (unlike variance, which is in squared units).
We do not model weighted observations, frequency tables, confidence intervals, or standard error of the mean—add those in a full statistics workflow when you need them.
For the same list with standard deviation emphasized first, open the standard deviation calculator.
For median, mode, and range on the same pasted list (without variance on this page), open the mean median mode range calculator.
FAQs on this page cover spreadsheet match-ups, n − 1 intuition, and topics this tool does not cover (poker variance, budget percentage variance, grouped data).
Google Sheets & Excel
In Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel with English (US/UK) function names, use VAR.S / VAR.P for variance and STDEV.S / STDEV.P for standard deviation. Replace A1:A99 with your range. If your Excel is not in English, use Formulas → Insert function to find the same functions under your language pack’s own names.
=VAR.S(A1:A99)Matches n − 1 in the denominator—pairs with STDEV.S.
=VAR.P(A1:A99)Use when every member of the population is in the range—pairs with STDEV.P.
=STDEV.S(A1:A99)Square root of VAR.S on the same range (up to rounding).
=STDEV.P(A1:A99)Square root of VAR.P on the same range (up to rounding).
Frequently asked questions
What is variance?
Variance measures how far values spread around the mean using squared deviations. Its units are the square of your original measurements, which is why we also show standard deviation (√variance) in the same units as your data.
How is this different from your standard deviation calculator?
The math is the same—both pages use the same sample vs population rules. This page puts variance and squared units up front and leads the spreadsheet section with VAR.S / VAR.P. The standard deviation page leads with σ / STDEV.S / STDEV.P when SD is what you want first.
When should I use sample vs population?
Use population when your list is every member you care about. Use sample when the list is a subset treated as drawn from a bigger population. The math differs only in the variance denominator (n vs n − 1).
What are the steps to calculate variance?
1) Find the mean. 2) Subtract the mean from each value (deviation). 3) Square each deviation. 4) Add the squares (sum of squared deviations). 5) Divide by n (population) or n − 1 (sample). This page does those steps for you.
How do variance and standard deviation relate?
Standard deviation is the square root of variance. Variance is easier for some formulas (sums of squares); SD is easier to read next to your raw numbers.
Which Google Sheets or English Excel function matches this page?
Sample mode aligns with VAR.S and STDEV.S. Population mode aligns with VAR.P and STDEV.P. Always pass the same numeric range you typed here.
What are the German Excel function names for variance?
Typical Excel (Deutsch) pairs include VAR.S / VAR.P for variance alongside STABW.S / STABW.N for standard deviation—confirm in your function library if your build differs.
What are the French Excel function names for variance?
Typical Excel (français) names include VAR.S / VAR.P for variance alongside ECARTYPE.ST / ECARTYPE.PE for standard deviation—verify on your install.
How should I paste data from a spreadsheet?
Copy a column or row, paste into the box, and keep one number per cell as plain text. Tabs, newlines, spaces, semicolons, and many comma-separated lists work. Decimals can use . or , depending on how you type them—see skipped-token hints if something does not parse.
Is this a poker variance calculator?
No. Poker bankroll variance is a different modeling problem (stakes, distributions, risk of ruin). This page is descriptive variance on a pasted list of numbers.
Can I use this for budget or percentage variance?
Not in v1. FP&A variance usually means actual vs budget or percent change—different inputs than a simple numeric list. Use a spreadsheet model or a dedicated percentage workflow for that question.
Does this support grouped or frequency data?
No. Enter raw values one per token. Frequency tables and ANOVA-style calculations need a different tool or workbook setup.
Is this the standard error of the mean?
No. Standard error usually means SD of the sample mean, often SD / √n for simple random samples. This page reports variance and SD of your list, not the sampling distribution of the mean.
Is this professional statistics advice?
No. It is a free educational calculator. For research protocols, quality systems, or regulated reporting, follow your organization’s methods and qualified experts.