Range Calculator

Published on: July 6, 2025

This Range Calculator helps you find the range of a list of numbers and shows each step clearly. It works by identifying the smallest value and the largest value in the data set, then subtracting the minimum from the maximum. This makes it useful for checking answers, understanding how the range is calculated, and practising statistics step by step.

Step-by-step method

  1. List the values in the data set.
  2. Order the values from smallest to largest.
  3. Identify the minimum and maximum from the ordered list.
  4. Write the range formula.
  5. Substitute the values and subtract to get the range.

Formula:

Range=MaximumMinimum

Example 1: Take the set of numbers below.

3, 1, 9, 4, 7

Step 1 - List the values in the data set.

In this problem: The values are 3, 1, 9, 4, 7.

3, 1, 9, 4, 7

Step 2 - Order the values from smallest to largest.

In this problem: Ordering the values from smallest to largest gives 1, 3, 4, 7, 9.

1, 3, 4, 7, 9

Step 3 - Identify the minimum and maximum from the ordered list.

In this problem: From the ordered list, the minimum is 1 and the maximum is 9.

Minimum=1,Maximum=9

Step 4 - Write the range formula.

In this problem: The range is found by subtracting the minimum from the maximum.

Range=MaximumMinimum

Step 5 - Substitute the values and subtract to get the range.

In this problem: Substitute Maximum = 9 and Minimum = 1: Range = 9 − 1 = 8.

Range=91=8

Final answer: The range is:

8

Example 2: Take the set of numbers below.

3, 10, 23, 12

Step 1 - List the values in the data set.

In this problem: The values are 3, 10, 23, 12.

3, 10, 23, 12

Step 2 - Order the values from smallest to largest.

In this problem: Ordering the values from smallest to largest gives 3, 10, 12, 23.

3, 10, 12, 23

Step 3 - Identify the minimum and maximum from the ordered list.

In this problem: From the ordered list, the minimum is 3 and the maximum is 23.

Minimum=3,Maximum=23

Step 4 - Write the range formula.

In this problem: The range is found by subtracting the minimum from the maximum.

Range=MaximumMinimum

Step 5 - Substitute the values and subtract to get the range.

In this problem: Substitute Maximum = 23 and Minimum = 3: Range = 23 − 3 = 20.

Range=233=20

Final answer: The range is:

20