Geometric Mean Calculator
The ordinary average misleads when you average growth rates, ratios or percentages. Enter any set of positive numbers to get the geometric mean, with the product and nth-root steps shown so you can follow the working.
How to use
- Type your numbers in the box, separated by commas — for example 1.05, 1.10, 0.98.
- All numbers must be positive; remove any zero or negative value first.
- Read the geometric mean, and expand the steps to see the product and its nth root.
- Use the result where a normal average would mislead — growth rates, ratios and percentages.
Note: Geometric mean is the right average for growth rates and ratios. It is not defined for negative or zero values.
Tips
- Use the geometric mean for average growth — for example, average yearly investment returns or population growth.
- It only works on positive numbers; for values with zeros, add context or use a different average.
- For only two numbers, the geometric mean is simply the square root of their product.
- Compare it with the arithmetic mean — a big gap between them hints at very uneven values.