HARMEAN Function in LibreOffice Calc — Tested Examples
An explanation of LibreOffice Calc HARMEAN, including tested formulas, examples, expected results and common mistakes.
Tested: Examples checked in LibreOffice Calc 25.2.3.2. What this means
Returns the harmonic mean of a sample. For equal-distance trips at 3 and 6 kilometres per hour, the overall average speed is 4—not the arithmetic mean of 4.5.
Syntax and arguments
=HARMEAN(Number_)
LibreOffice Calc formulas generally separate arguments with semicolons (;).
| Argument | Explanation |
|---|---|
Number |
Number 1, number 2, … are numerical arguments which portray a sample. |
Worked examples
Example 1: Average ratios when equal quantities are involved
=HARMEAN(2;8)
Expected result: 3.2. This value was returned in the LibreOffice Calc 25.2 test.
Example 2: Average speeds over equal distances
=HARMEAN(3;6)
Expected result: 4. This value was returned in the LibreOffice Calc 25.2 test.
How to interpret the result
For equal-distance trips at 3 and 6 kilometres per hour, the overall average speed is 4—not the arithmetic mean of 4.5.
Mistakes and troubleshooting
- Check inputs and assumptions: The harmonic mean does not replace a weighted average when distances or denominators differ.
- Check argument order and format: Strings go in quotes, cell references do not. Functions that return arrays may require special entry.
- Verify your own data: Reproduce the example first. If your formula returns an error, inspect the referenced cells and individual argument values.
Related functions
Tested version and primary reference
2 example(s) on this page passed real calculations in LibreOffice Calc 25.2.3.2. This is not a claim about every possible input or other spreadsheet applications.