Midpoint formula
The midpoint formula finds the exact point halfway between two points on a coordinate plane. It simply averages the x-coordinates and averages the y-coordinates.
- M = the midpoint between the two points
- (x₁, y₁) = the first point
- (x₂, y₂) = the second point
Averaging the coordinates
The midpoint is just the average of the two points, taken one coordinate at a time. Add the two x-values and halve them for the midpoint x; add the two y-values and halve them for the midpoint y. The result lands exactly between the original points.
- Take the points (2, 4) and (6, 8).
- Average the x-values: (2 + 6) / 2 = 4.
- Average the y-values: (4 + 8) / 2 = 6.
- The midpoint is (4, 6).
Related tools
See the Distance Formula for the gap between points, or use the math calculators.
FAQ
What is the midpoint formula?
M = ((x₁ + x₂)/2, (y₁ + y₂)/2), the average of the two x-coordinates and the two y-coordinates.
Does the order of the points matter?
No. Addition is the same in any order, so you get the same midpoint regardless of which point you list first.