Coefficient of Variation Calculator
Express the standard deviation as a percentage of the mean to compare variability between datasets.
Use alongside other statistics for a complete analysis.
Examples
- SD 5, mean 50 ⇒ 10%
- SD 4, mean 80 ⇒ 5%
- SD 3, mean 10 ⇒ 30%
FAQ
What does CV show?
It expresses standard deviation as a percentage of the mean.
Can the mean be zero?
No, CV is undefined when the mean equals zero.
Is a lower CV better?
Generally yes; it implies more consistency relative to the mean.
Why use CV instead of standard deviation?
CV allows comparison between datasets with different units or means.
Additional Information
- CV is unitless, allowing comparison of datasets with different units or scales.
- Lower CV indicates less relative variability around the mean.
- The mean must be nonzero for the CV to be defined.