How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Google Sheets

Sanskar Tiwari

Author: Sanskar Tiwari

Founder at MagicSlides

Published

Learn to calculate standard deviation in Google Sheets quickly using simple built-in formulas and functions

How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Google Sheets

Understanding how to calculate standard deviation is essential when working with data sets, especially in statistics, business, or research.
Standard deviation tells you how much your data varies from the mean, helping you make more informed decisions. Google Sheets makes this process incredibly simple with built-in functions that save time and effort.
Whether you're a student analyzing exam scores or a business owner reviewing sales performance, this tutorial will guide you step-by-step on how to calculate standard deviation in Google Sheets using the right functions and formulas for accurate analysis.

Step-by-Step: How to Calculate Standard Deviation in Google Sheets

Step 1: Open Google Sheets

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  • Open an existing spreadsheet or create a new one.

Step 2: Enter Your Data

  • Input your numeric data into a single column (e.g., A1 to A10).
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  • Ensure the cells contain only numbers.

Step 3: Choose the Right Standard Deviation Formula

Google Sheets offers two commonly used functions:
  • STDEV.P – for the entire population.
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  • STDEV.S – for a sample of a population.

Step 4: Apply the Formula

  • Click on an empty cell where you want the result.
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  • Type one of the following:
    • =STDEV.P(A1:A10) – if your data represents the full population.
    • =STDEV.S(A1:A10) – if your data is just a sample.
  • Press Enter to calculate the standard deviation.

Step 5: Review and Interpret

  • The result will appear in the selected cell.
  • A low standard deviation indicates the data is close to the mean, while a high one shows more variability.

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SheetAI is an AI-powered add-on for Google Sheets that brings advanced capabilities right into your spreadsheet. Simply describe what you want in plain English, and SheetAI will execute tasks such as generating formulas, cleaning data, summarizing text, and even creating images. (SheetAI Documentation - AI-Powered Functions for Google Sheets)
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Conclusion

Calculating standard deviation in Google Sheets is quick and easy using built-in functions like STDEV.P and STDEV.S.
With just a few steps, you can analyze the variability in your data and gain deeper insights.
Mastering this skill will improve your data analysis, whether you're working on academic research or business reports.

FAQs are here to guide!

What’s the difference between STDEV.P and STDEV.S?

STDEV.P is used for the entire population, while STDEV.S is for a sample.

Can I calculate standard deviation across rows instead of columns?

Yes, simply change the cell range (e.g., A1:E1) when applying the formula.

Does Google Sheets support standard deviation for filtered data?

Not directly. You’ll need to use FILTER or manually select the filtered range.

Can I include blank cells in my range?

Yes, Google Sheets will ignore blank cells automatically when calculating standard deviation.

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