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HARMEAN
HARMEAN calculates the reciprocal of the arithmetic mean of reciprocals, which is the appropriate average when combining rates such as speeds, prices per unit, or fuel efficiency figures. Use it instead of AVERAGE whenever the quantities represent rates measured over the same base unit.
Excel
=HARMEAN(A2:A5)Google Sheets
=HARMEAN(A2:A5)✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Speed (mph) |
| 40 |
| 60 |
| 80 |
| 50 |
=HARMEAN(A2:A5)→53.9325842697
Try it with your data
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Sample data — click any cell to edit
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How it works
- 1Collect all positive rate or ratio values — HARMEAN errors on zero or negative inputs.
- 2Enter =HARMEAN(range) referencing the cells containing your rates.
- 3The result is the single rate that is equivalent to the combined effect of all individual rates.
Need a version for your data?
Try: “Find the average speed for a trip where different legs were driven at different speeds”