Find the gap between the highest and lowest values in a numerical data set.
For 3, 7, 10, 14, 18, the range is 18 − 3 = 15. The values in between do not change that result.
18 − 3 = 15
Embed Range Calculator
Copy this iframe code into a page that permits embeds.
How to Use the Range Calculator
Enter the numbers in any order and select Calculate Range. The calculator identifies the minimum and maximum, subtracts them, and shows a sorted preview. It accepts positive and negative numbers, decimals, and repeated values.
How to Find the Statistical Range
The statistical range is the largest observation minus the smallest observation. It is never negative for valid numerical data. It uses only two values, so changing a middle value does not change the range unless that value becomes a new minimum or maximum.
Worked Example With Negative Values
For −4, −1, 2, and 9, the minimum is −4 and the maximum is 9. Subtract: 9 − (−4) = 13. A common mistake is to subtract 4 from 9 and report 5; the minimum retains its negative sign.
What Range Shows—and What It Does Not
Range gives a fast description of the full observed span. It can change substantially when one extreme observation changes, so use the interquartile range to describe the middle half when outliers matter. Range alone does not show how the observations are distributed between the extremes.
Range Calculator FAQs
Can a statistical range be negative?
No. Maximum minus minimum is zero or greater.
What if all values are equal?
The maximum and minimum are the same, so the range is 0.
Does the order of values matter?
No. Only the minimum and maximum determine the range.
Method and references
The range formula follows the educational reference linked below. It uses the largest observation minus the smallest observation.
Sources
View references
Disclaimer
For educational use. Check your class or textbook convention when the problem defines a different range, sequence index, or notation.