Five Number Summary Calculator

This calculator lets you quickly find the five-number summary with just a click. Simply enter your data and click Calculate to get the Minimum, First Quartile (Q1), Median, Third Quartile (Q3), and Maximum of your dataset. The calculator also provides a step-by-step solution so you can learn how to compute each statistic manually. Plus, you’ll see a box plot that visually displays the position of each value in your five-number summary.

Want to Learn How to Calculate the Five-Number Summary Manually? Check out our full guide on how to compute the five number summary by hand with practical examples.

What Is the Five-Number Summary?

The five-number summary is a simple yet powerful way to describe the distribution of a dataset using five key values: the minimum, first quartile (Q1), median, third quartile (Q3), and maximum. These numbers help you understand where most of the data lies, how spread out the values are, and whether there are any potential outliers.

How the Calculator Works

Using the Five-Number Summary Calculator is simple. Just follow these steps to get instant results:

1. Enter your dataset. Separate values using spaces or commas. You can also paste data directly from Excel.
2. Click the “Calculate” button.
3. The calculator will instantly display the minimum, first quartile (Q1), median, third quartile (Q3), and maximum.
4. You’ll also get a step-by-step explanation showing how each value in the five-number summary was computed.
5. A box plot will automatically appear to help you visualize the distribution of your data.

Example: Finding the Five-Number Summary usig the Calculator

Suppose you have the following dataset: 12, 15, 18, 22, 25, 28, 30. You can easily compute the five number summary using the calculator as follows:

1. Copy and paste the values in the input section
2. Click the “Calculate” button
3. The calculator will give you the 5-numbers summary as:
   • Minimum = 12
   • Lower Quartile (Q1) = 15
   • Median = 22
   • Upper Quartile (Q3) = 28
   • Maximum = 30 (See Figure 1)

The calculator will also represent the five numbers in a box plot (see Figure 2).

How to Interpret the Five-Number Summary

Understanding what each value represents helps you quickly identify the spread, center, and shape of your dataset. Here is what each of the five numbers tells you:

• Minimum. It is the smallest value in the dataset. It shows the lower boundary of your data and helps identify the overall range.
• Q1 (First Quartile/Lower Quartile). This is the value below which 25% of the data fall. It helps you understand the lower spread of your dataset and detect potential lower outliers.
• Median (Q2). The median is simply the middle value when you order the data in ascending or descending order. It represents the “center” of the dataset and is very useful for skewed data because it is not affected by extreme values.
• Q3 (Third Quartile/Upper Quartile). This is the value below which 75% of the data fall. It indicates the upper spread and helps detect potential upper outliers.
• Maximum. This is the largest value in the dataset. It shows the upper boundary of your data.

Why Use This Calculator?

If you want quick, accurate insights into your data, this calculator makes the process effortless. Here’s what makes it useful:

• Instant results. Get the five-number summary within seconds, no manual math required.
• Step-by-step workings. You’ll see exactly how each value (Min, Q1, Median, Q3, Max) is calculated to help you learn as you go.
• Box plot visualization. The calculator automatically generates a box plot to help you understand your data’s distribution at a glance.
• Handles large datasets. You can paste hundreds or thousands of values and get clean, accurate results instantly.
• Accepts multiple formats. Enter numbers separated by commas, spaces, line breaks, or paste directly from Excel or CSV.