Excel AVERAGE: Mean and Weighted Average Examples
By Szabó Gergő · Updated
AVERAGE calculates the arithmetic mean of numeric values. It ignores empty cells and text, but includes zeros; conditional and weighted averages need different formulas.
Syntax and arguments
=AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)- number1
- A number, cell, or range required for the average.
- additional numbers
- Optional numbers, cells, or ranges to include.
AVERAGE examples
Scores are in B2:B30.
=AVERAGE(B2:B30)Numeric values, including zero, are added and divided by the count of numeric cells.
Regions are A2:A100, sales are C2:C100, and F2 is the selected region.
=AVERAGEIF(A2:A100,F2,C2:C100)Only sales rows whose region matches F2 are averaged.
Scores are B2:B6 and their weights are C2:C6.
=SUMPRODUCT(B2:B6,C2:C6)/SUM(C2:C6)Each score is multiplied by its weight, then divided by the total weight.
Common mistakes
Zeros should represent missing data
Use blanks for genuinely missing values or apply AVERAGEIF with a nonzero condition.
Percent weights do not total 100%
Dividing by SUM(weights) normalizes weights, but verify the intended model.
Error cells break the average
Correct source errors or use an appropriate filtered formula rather than silently hiding data issues.
AVERAGE FAQ
Does AVERAGE ignore blank cells?
Yes. It ignores empty cells and text in referenced ranges, but counts numeric zeros.
How do I average only visible rows?
Use SUBTOTAL with function number 101, such as =SUBTOTAL(101,B2:B100).
Is AVERAGE the same as median?
No. AVERAGE is the arithmetic mean; MEDIAN returns the middle value and is less affected by extreme outliers.