Geometric Mean Calculator
Calculate the geometric mean of a set of numbers.
A mean for growth and ratios
The geometric mean multiplies the numbers together and takes the appropriate root, giving an average suited to quantities that grow by multiplication rather than addition. This calculates it, the right average for growth rates and ratios.
Enter your numbers to find the geometric mean.
The right average for rates of return
The geometric mean is the correct way to average things that compound, which the ordinary average gets wrong. The classic case is investment returns over several years: if an investment grows by different percentages each year, the geometric mean of the growth factors gives the true average annual growth, while the arithmetic mean overstates it, sometimes badly. This is because compounding multiplies year on year, and averaging multiplicatively respects that where averaging additively does not — an investment that gains 100 percent then loses 50 percent has a true average return of zero, which the geometric mean captures and the arithmetic mean does not. It is also the right average for ratios and for combining rates of change. Whenever quantities multiply rather than add, the geometric mean is the honest average.
Geometric Mean Calculator FAQ
When should I use the geometric mean?
For quantities that compound or multiply, like investment returns over years, growth rates and ratios, where the ordinary average overstates the true value.
Why is it right for investment returns?
Because returns compound year on year, and the geometric mean averages multiplicatively — a 100 percent gain then 50 percent loss averages to zero, which it captures correctly.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The calculation happens in your browser.