Coefficient of Variation Calculator
Calculate coefficient of variation using your data.
Loading calculator…
What this tool does
Calculate coefficient of variation using your data. CV is unit-free, so it compares relative spread across data sets with different units or scales. It is only meaningful for ratio-scale data with a genuinely positive mean.
How to use the Coefficient of Variation Calculator
- Enter or select numbers (comma or whitespace separated).
- Read the calculated result; change any measurement to compare alternatives.
Formula
CV = standard deviation / mean × 100%
- data
- Numbers (comma or whitespace separated)
CV is unit-free, so it compares relative spread across data sets with different units or scales. It is only meaningful for ratio-scale data with a genuinely positive mean.
Worked example
For coefficient of variation calculator, the following measurements illustrate the exact method: Numbers (comma or whitespace separated): 2,4,4,4,5,5,7,9.
Inputs
- Numbers (comma or whitespace separated)2,4,4,4,5,5,7,9
Result
- Coefficient of variation — sample (%)42.76
- Coefficient of variation — population (%)40
- Mean5
- Sample standard deviation2.14
Results explained
- Coefficient of variation — sample (%)
- Coefficient of variation — sample (%) from the formula above. CV is unit-free, so it compares relative spread across data sets with different units or scales. It is only meaningful for ratio-scale data with a genuinely positive mean.
- Coefficient of variation — population (%)
- Coefficient of variation — population (%) from the formula above. CV is unit-free, so it compares relative spread across data sets with different units or scales. It is only meaningful for ratio-scale data with a genuinely positive mean.
- Mean
- Mean from the formula above. CV is unit-free, so it compares relative spread across data sets with different units or scales. It is only meaningful for ratio-scale data with a genuinely positive mean.
- Sample standard deviation
- Sample standard deviation from the formula above. CV is unit-free, so it compares relative spread across data sets with different units or scales. It is only meaningful for ratio-scale data with a genuinely positive mean.
Frequently asked questions
CV = standard deviation / mean × 100%
CV is unit-free, so it compares relative spread across data sets with different units or scales. It is only meaningful for ratio-scale data with a genuinely positive mean.
Enter numbers only, in the units and format each label describes. Remove missing values rather than substituting zero, unless zero is a real observation.
No. Results describe the numbers you entered. Statistical inference also depends on sampling design, independence, model fit and interpretation; a p-value is not the probability that a hypothesis is true.
No. Every calculation, including the distribution algorithms, runs entirely in your browser.