Context-dependent. CV 30% is high. Industry-specific benchmarks vary.

Coefficient of Variation (CV) Calculator

CV = σ / μ — relative variability as a percentage. Useful for comparing spread across different scales.

Result

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How to use this calculator

Enter your data.
Read the CV as a percentage.

About this calculator

CV expresses standard deviation as a percentage of the mean — a unit-free measure of relative variability. Useful when comparing spread between datasets on different scales (e.g., comparing income variability across countries with different currency values).

Frequently asked

When is CV a poor choice?+

When the mean is close to zero — CV becomes unstable. For data that includes negative numbers, CV often doesn't make sense.

What's a "high" CV?+

Context-dependent. CV < 10% is often considered low variability; > 30% is high. Industry-specific benchmarks vary.

Why is CV unitless?+

Both σ and μ are in the same units, so they cancel. The ratio is pure (often expressed as a percentage).

Can I compare CVs from different fields?+

In principle yes, but interpretation should respect the underlying processes. A 10% CV in human heights vs in stock returns vs in measurement noise mean very different things.

Should I use sample or population SD for CV?+

Convention is sample SD for sample data. The calculator uses sample SD.