MODE function
MODE returns the number that appears most often in a list, such as the most common shoe size or order quantity. If no number repeats, it returns #N/A. Newer versions call it MODE.SNGL; MODE still works the same way and is kept for compatibility.
- Available in
- Every current version
- Category
- Statistical functions
- Returns
- The most frequent number. If several are tied, the one that appears first.
- Google Sheets
- Also available in Google Sheets.
Syntax
=MODE(number1, [number2], ...)
| Argument | Required? | What it is |
|---|---|---|
number1 | Required | The first number, cell or range. |
number2 | Optional | More numbers, cells or ranges, up to 255 in total. |
Examples
Each result below is calculated from the sample sheet by our formula engine, the same one that grades the practice.
| Cell | Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| F2 | =MODE(B2:B8) | 9 | Size 9 sold most often |
| F3 | =MODE(C2:C8) | #N/A | No rating repeats, so MODE returns #N/A |
| F4 | =IFERROR(MODE(C2:C8),"No repeat") | No repeat | IFERROR replaces the #N/A with a message |
Try it live
This is the sample sheet. Change any number or text, or edit a formula, and the results update.
Show the sample data as a table
| Order | Shoe size | Rating | Check | Result | |
| S-01 | 9 | 7 | Most common size | 9 | |
| S-02 | 10 | 4 | Ratings | #N/A | |
| S-03 | 9 | 9 | Ratings, with fallback | No repeat | |
| S-04 | 11 | 6 | |||
| S-05 | 10 | 3 | |||
| S-06 | 9 | 8 | |||
| S-07 | 8 | 5 |
Practice MODE
Graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data.
Most common order quantity
E2, return the quantity that was ordered most often.Common mistakes
| What you see | Why, and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| #N/A | No value appears more than once. Wrap the formula in IFERROR, or check whether the data really has a most common value. |
| Only one mode comes back when there are two | MODE returns the first of tied values. In Excel 2010 and later, MODE.MULT returns all of them. |
| MODE ignores text | It only works on numbers. To find the most common text value, count each value with COUNTIF and look up the largest count. |
Tips
- MODE is handy for spotting the "usual" order quantity or the most common score before setting defaults.
Questions
What is the difference between MODE and MODE.SNGL?
None in the result. MODE.SNGL is the newer name introduced in Excel 2010; MODE remains for compatibility.
Can MODE find the most common word?
No. MODE only works with numbers. Use COUNTIF to count each word and pick the highest count.
Last reviewed October 2026. Every example result on this page is calculated live by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine.