Median absolute deviation calculator (MAD)
Paste data to calculate a robust spread measure based on distances from the median.
Deviations from the median
| Position | Value | |x − median| |
|---|---|---|
| Fill in the fields above — the result is computed on this page. | ||
How do I use this page?
- Paste the observations.
- Review the median and absolute deviations.
- Read MAD and the scaled version.
What this page does not do: MAD summarizes spread around the median but does not show skew direction or the complete distribution shape. Very small samples allow only a few possible values.
Further reading
Theory — what is the median absolute deviation (MAD)?
The median absolute deviation, or MAD, is a robust spread measure: the median of the absolute deviations from the sample median. A single extreme observation affects it far less than it would affect the standard deviation, making MAD useful for data with outliers. A rescaled variant multiplies the raw MAD by a constant factor so it can be compared with the standard deviation of a normal distribution. MAD differs from the mean absolute deviation, which averages distances instead of taking their median.
Frequently asked questions
How does MAD differ from mean absolute deviation?
Does MAD replace standard deviation?
See also
A/B test calculator
Compare two proportions in an A/B test. Calculate conversion rates, difference, uplift, z score, p value and c
A/B test planning — sample size, MDE and duration
Plan a two-proportion experiment, estimate detectable effect and traffic duration.
ACF and PACF autocorrelation calculator
Calculate ACF and PACF across time-series lags. Review the chart, reference bounds and coefficient table.