Moving Average Calculator
Enter up to five values, such as recent prices, to find their simple moving average.
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Enter your values to see the moving average.
Frequently asked questions
How is a simple moving average calculated?
Add the values together and divide by how many there are. The prices 100, 102, 104, 106 and 108 average to 104.
Why use a moving average?
It smooths out short-term noise to reveal an underlying trend. Traders and analysts watch it to gauge direction without overreacting to a single jumpy data point.
How many numbers should I enter?
Use as many recent values as you want to smooth, up to five. More values give a smoother but slower average. Fewer values react faster to the latest change. There is no single right number, so match it to how jumpy your data is.
Does the order of the values matter?
For the average itself no, since addition is the same in any order. But still enter them oldest to newest out of habit. That keeps your thinking clear when you track the average over time. The tool simply adds them and divides by the count.
Can a moving average predict the next value?
No, it only describes the recent past in one number. A moving average always lags behind the newest value. It is best used to confirm a trend, not to forecast one. Treat it as a calm summary, not a crystal ball.