Math & Statisticsintermediate
Measure data spread with STDEV
=STDEV(B2:B100)
Function reference
STDEV in Excel & Google Sheets
STDEV is used in 1 formula pattern in this library. Browse worked examples below, or use the generator to build a custom variation for your specific data.
1 intermediateBuild a custom STDEV formula →
When to use STDEV
- Assess the consistency of sales figures, test scores, manufacturing tolerances, or any dataset where variability matters.
Worked examples (1)
Common errors with STDEV
STDEV vs STDEVP
Use STDEV (sample) when your data is a subset of a larger population. Use STDEVP (population) when your data includes every member of the group. Most business use cases call for STDEV.
Text or blank cells skew the result
STDEV ignores text and blank cells automatically. Numbers stored as text are also ignored — clean them with VALUE first.
Frequently asked questions
What does the standard deviation number actually mean?
It represents the typical distance from the average. If the mean is 100 and STDEV is 10, most values fall between 90 and 110. A higher STDEV means more variability.
Need a custom variation?
Describe your specific STDEV problem and get a formula written for your exact data.
Open generator with STDEV