The Excel AVERAGE function returns the arithmetic mean of its arguments — the sum of the numbers divided by how many there are. It is the everyday workhorse for finding a central value.
Syntax
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
number1 | Required | The first number, cell reference, or range to average. |
number2, ... | Optional | Up to 254 additional numbers or ranges. Mix values, cells, and ranges freely. |
How to use it
AVERAGE adds every numeric argument and divides by the count of numbers. Each argument can be a value, a cell reference, or a whole range.
When you point AVERAGE at a range, text, logical values, and empty cells are skipped entirely — they are not counted as zeros. A cell containing the number 0 is counted, which is the most common reason an average comes out lower than expected.
Blanks vs zeros: an empty cell is ignored, but a cell holding 0 is included in the divisor. If you want zeros treated as blanks, filter them out with AVERAGEIF(range,"<>0").
Try it: interactive demo
Pick a AVERAGE example to see the formula and its result.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
Does AVERAGE count blank cells as zero?
0, however, is counted and lowers the average.How is AVERAGE different from AVERAGEA?
Can AVERAGE ignore zeros?
=AVERAGEIF(range,"<>0") averages only the non-zero numbers.What is the difference between mean, median, and mode?
Master functions like this in one day
This page covers one function. Our Excel Formulas and Functions class covers the 30 that matter most — live, hands-on, taught by professionals in Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Oklahoma City, Denver, or online.
See the Formulas & Functions Class