Moving Average Calculator
Results are estimates based on the values you enter. Recheck your inputs and assumptions before using the output for decisions.
Calculate a 5-period simple moving average from five sequential values.
Moving Average Calculator
Free online moving average calculator to estimate a 5-period simple moving average from five sequential values. This calculator is useful for traders, investors, students, analysts, business users, and anyone smoothing short-term fluctuations in a small series of numbers. Moving averages are widely used because they reduce noise and make the underlying direction of values easier to see. Whether the series represents prices, revenue, traffic, output, or another repeated measure, a moving average can give a clearer view than looking at each raw value by itself.
This calculator uses five ordered inputs. Value 1 through value 5 mean five consecutive observations in sequence, with value 5 being the latest reading. Once those values are entered, the calculator shows moving average, total of values, latest value versus average, and value range. These outputs are useful because the moving average shows the smoothed center of the series, the latest-versus-average output shows whether the newest value is above or below the average, and the range gives a quick sense of short-term spread within the set.
The formula of moving average
Moving average = (Value 1 + Value 2 + Value 3 + Value 4 + Value 5) / 5
Total of values = Value 1 + Value 2 + Value 3 + Value 4 + Value 5
Latest value vs average = Value 5 – Moving average
Value range = Highest value – Lowest value
Here moving average means the simple average of the five sequential values, total of values means their sum, latest value versus average means how far the newest observation sits above or below the moving average, and value range means the difference between the highest and lowest value in the set.
Solved Example
Example 1: Find the moving average if the five values are 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20.
Solve: Total of values = 12 + 14 + 16 + 18 + 20 = 80
Moving average = 80 / 5 = 16
Latest value vs average = 20 – 16 = 4
Value range = 20 – 12 = 8
Example 2: Find the result if the five values are 100, 102, 101, 105, and 108.
Solve: Total of values = 516
Moving average = 516 / 5 = 103.2
Latest value vs average = 108 – 103.2 = 4.8
Value range = 108 – 100 = 8
Example 3: Find the result if the five values are 50, 48, 47, 49, and 51.
Solve: Total of values = 245
Moving average = 245 / 5 = 49
Latest value vs average = 51 – 49 = 2
Value range = 51 – 47 = 4
Table of moving average calculator
| Five Values | Moving Average | Latest vs Average | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 | 16.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 |
| 30, 32, 31, 33, 35 | 32.2 | 2.8 | 5.0 |
| 50, 48, 47, 49, 51 | 49.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 |
| 100, 102, 101, 105, 108 | 103.2 | 4.8 | 8.0 |
How to use this moving average calculator
Enter the five values in sequence from oldest to newest in the proper input fields. Then click the calculate button. The calculator will show moving average, total of values, latest value versus average, and value range in the result box.
This calculator is useful when you want a fast view of the recent center of a small data series. In markets, a moving average can help smooth price noise. In business, it can help smooth short-term fluctuations in sales, production, or traffic. The latest-versus-average output is especially helpful because it shows whether the newest value is currently above or below the short-run average level.
When using the result, remember that this version uses a fixed 5-period simple moving average. Longer windows create smoother averages but react more slowly, while shorter windows react more quickly but remain more sensitive to noise. Even so, this calculator gives a clear and practical quick view of recent average behavior. It is useful for trend checks, classroom learning, forecasting support, and quick performance review.