What range shows
Range is the simplest spread measure. It is easy to understand, but it depends only on the minimum and maximum values.
Example
For the values 2, 4, 4, 6 and 9, the minimum is 2 and the maximum is 9, so the range is 7.
When range is not enough
Range can be distorted by one unusually high or low value. Use standard deviation, interquartile range or a visual chart when the overall spread matters.
Common mistakes
Range is not the same as average. It only describes the distance from the smallest value to the largest value.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-17