# Median The median is the value separating the higher half from the lower half of a data sample (a population or a probability distribution). For a data set, it may be thought of as the "middle" value. `median` is not an accurate average. However, it eliminates all spikes, by sorting all the values in a period, and selecting the value in the middle of the sorted array. ## how to use Use it in alarms like this: ``` alarm: my_alarm on: my_chart lookup: median -1m unaligned of my_dimension warn: $this > 1000 ``` `median` does not change the units. For example, if the chart units is `requests/sec`, the result will be again expressed in the same units. It can also be used in APIs and badges as `&group=median` in the URL. ## Examples Examining last 1 minute `successful` web server responses: -  -  -  -  ## References - .