---
title: "AVERAGE function in Excel: syntax and examples | PracticeExcel"
description: "How to use AVERAGE in Excel and Google Sheets: the mean of a range, and how blanks differ from zeros."
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://practiceexcelonline.com/llms.txt)

# **The AVERAGE function**

Returns the mean: the sum of the numbers divided by how many there are. Blank cells and text are skipped.

=

AVERAGE(

## **Syntax**

```
AVERAGE(number1, [number2], ...)
```

<dl><dt>**number1 **</dt>
<dd>The first number, cell or range.</dd>
<dt>**number2 **(optional)</dt>
<dd>More numbers or ranges.</dd></dl>

## **Examples**

E1=AVERAGE(C2:C6)

|  | A | B | C | D | E |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Region | Product | Sales |  | **330** |
| 2 | North | Shoes | 500 |  | |
| 3 | South | Shoes | 300 |  | |
| 4 | North | Bags | 250 |  | |
| 5 | North | Shoes | 420 |  | |
| 6 | South | Bags | 180 |  | |

B1=AVERAGE(2,4,9)

|  | A | B |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 |  | **5** |

## **Practice AVERAGE**

- [**1****Find the average with AVERAGE**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/average/average-function)
- [**2****AVERAGE skips blank cells**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/average/average-blank-cells)
- [**3****Round an average with ROUND**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/average/round-an-average)

## **Read the guide**

- [**Free Excel course online: learn Excel from your first formula to job-ready**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/how-to-learn-excel)
- [**How to make a graph in Excel: column, line and pie charts step by step**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/excel-charts)

## **Questions**

<details>

<summary>

### Does AVERAGE count blank cells?

</summary>

No. Blank cells and text are skipped, so they do not pull the average down. A cell that holds 0 does count.

</details>

## **Related functions**

- [**AVERAGEIF**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/averageif)
- [**MEDIAN**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/median)
- [**SUM**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/sum)

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