Summary: This five number summary calculator computes quartiles, IQR and box plot with live steps, formulas and a chart. It accepts labeled numeric inputs, works offline through file:// and includes source-backed explanations for students, analysts and researchers.

Five Number Summary Calculator

Five number summary calculator for min, Q1, median, Q3, max, IQR, fences, outliers and live box plot. The calculator works offline, updates instantly and includes a worked example, plain-text formula, MathML, references and structured data.

Default values are loaded. Click any field and edit it; results and chart update automatically.

Default example loaded2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 20. Change any value above to test your own data.
Result: -

Five Number Summary Calculator Quick Reference

Input or settingResult or interpretationUse this when
MethodR/NumPy type 7 quantilesquartile summary
IQRQ3 - Q1quartile summary
outliersoutside 1.5 * IQR fencesquartile summary

How to Use This Five Number Summary Calculator

  1. Choose one calculator from the dropdown, such as Standard Deviation Calculator or Linear Regression Calculator.
  2. Paste raw data into textarea fields or enter summary statistics in number fields.
  3. Review the headline result, supporting metrics, step-by-step solution and SVG visualization.
  4. Use the example button to compare against a known worked example from the reference table.
  5. Copy the result or export the visible output as CSV or PNG for notes and reports.
  6. Read the interpretation, pitfalls, glossary and references before making research decisions, especially when assumptions or tails affect the answer.

Five Number Summary Calculator Formula

Primary formulafive number summary = min, Q1, median, Q3, max; IQR = Q3 - Q1; fences = Q1 - 1.5*IQR and Q3 + 1.5*IQR
Plain-English meaning

The five number summary describes the minimum, lower quartile, median, upper quartile and maximum.

Example

2,5,7,8,10,13,14,15,17,20

min=2, Q1=7.25, median=11.5, Q3=14.75, max=20, IQR=7.5, no outliers

This page uses the shared statistics core for distribution functions, quantiles and exact integer counting where needed. The formula is shown in plain text so screen readers and search engines can parse it reliably.

result=quartiles and box plot summary

Five Number Summary Calculator Worked Example

Use Load example in the calculator to reproduce this reference result.

{
  "tool": "Five Number Summary Calculator",
  "input": "2,5,7,8,10,13,14,15,17,20",
  "output": "min=2, Q1=7.25, median=11.5, Q3=14.75, max=20, IQR=7.5, no outliers",
  "formula": "five number summary = min, Q1, median, Q3, max; IQR = Q3 - Q1; fences = Q1 - 1.5*IQR and Q3 + 1.5*IQR"
}
CalculatorExample inputExpected output
Five Number Summary Calculator2,5,7,8,10,13,14,15,17,20min=2, Q1=7.25, median=11.5, Q3=14.75, max=20, IQR=7.5, no outliers

Interpretation Guide

What does p = 0.03 mean? If the null hypothesis and model assumptions were true, a result at least this extreme would occur about 3% of the time. The American Statistical Association cautions that a p-value alone does not measure effect size, practical importance or the probability that H₀ is true.3

For most classroom and professional reports, pair the calculator result with the question you are answering. A mean or median summarizes location, but spread explains consistency. A confidence interval estimates plausible values, while a hypothesis test evaluates compatibility with a null model. Regression and correlation describe association, so they should be reported with a chart and residual or outlier review. When a result is statistically significant, still ask whether the effect is large enough to matter in the real setting.

StatisticSmallMediumLargeUse
Cohen's d0.20.50.8t-test effect size
Cramér's V0.10.30.5chi-square association
|r|0.100.300.50correlation strength
0.010.090.25variance explained

Pro Tips and Common Pitfalls

Five Number Summary Calculator FAQ

What is a five number summary calculator?

A five number summary calculator computes quartiles and box plot summary from the values you enter. It shows the formula, live result, supporting metrics, step-by-step work and a chart so you can verify the calculation and cite the method.

What input does this calculator accept?

Use the labeled fields at the top of the page. Dataset boxes accept comma, space, semicolon, tab and newline separated numbers, including negative values and scientific notation.

Why might another calculator give a different answer?

Differences usually come from rounding, sample versus population formulas, tail choice, quartile method or whether a z or t critical value is used.

Can I use this result in formal research?

This calculator is for education and checking work. For publication, regulated work or high-stakes decisions, verify results with peer-reviewed statistical software.

Where does the formula come from?

The formulas follow NIST/SEMATECH, OpenStax and R stats documentation conventions cited in the references section.

Five Number Summary Calculator Glossary

Minimum
The smallest value in the dataset.
Q1
The 25th percentile using Method 7 interpolation.
Median
The 50th percentile or middle value.
Q3
The 75th percentile using Method 7 interpolation.
IQR
Q3 minus Q1, describing the middle-half spread.
Outlier fence
The 1.5*IQR rule used to flag unusual values.

References and Sources

  1. NIST/SEMATECH e-Handbook of Statistical Methods, descriptive statistics, uncertainty and modeling formulas.
  2. OpenStax Introductory Statistics, definitions for inference, probability and summary statistics.
  3. ASA Statement on p-values, Wasserstein and Lazar, 2016.
  4. R stats package documentation, t.test, cor, quantile and distribution conventions.