Gini Coefficient Calculator

How it is calculated

G = Σi Σj |xi − xj| ÷ (2 × n² × mean), summed over every ordered pair of values, where n is the number of values and mean is their average. Enter the values separated by commas or spaces. Items that are not numbers are silently skipped, which is why you should check the "n values" line. At least 2 values are needed, none may be negative, and the mean must be above zero. Results are shown to four decimals. This is the plain population formula, so with n values the largest possible result is (n − 1) ÷ n, not exactly 1: four values with one holder give 0.7500. The coefficient has no unit, and income, wealth or any other positive quantity can be used.

Common mistakes

• Typing a thousands separator such as 1,200 in the list. The comma splits it into 1 and 200, which changes both the count and the result.
• Not noticing that a typo word or symbol is skipped; always check that "n values" matches the number you meant to enter.
• Expecting small samples to reach 1.0000. Because the formula divides by n², one person holding everything among 4 gives 0.7500, and the ceiling is lower the fewer values you have.
• Entering negative values such as debts or losses; the tool rejects them, so net-worth data with negatives cannot be used directly.
• Comparing a Gini from a handful of values with national figures built from the whole population or from survey weights.