The Midpoint Formula, Explained with Examples
By ToolNimba Editorial Team June 20, 2026 2 min read
The midpoint formula finds the point that sits exactly halfway between two other points on a coordinate plane. It is one of the most useful tools in coordinate geometry, used for bisecting line segments and finding centres.
The formula
midpoint = ( (x1 plus x2) divided by 2 , (y1 plus y2) divided by 2 ). In words: average the x values, then average the y values.
Why it works
The midpoint is simply the average of the two points. Averaging the two x coordinates lands you halfway across horizontally, and averaging the two y coordinates lands you halfway up vertically. Together those two averages give the exact centre of the segment.
A worked example
Find the midpoint between (2, 3) and (8, 7).
- Average the x values: (2 plus 8) divided by 2 equals 5.
- Average the y values: (3 plus 7) divided by 2 equals 5.
- Combine them into a point: (5, 5).
So the midpoint is (5, 5). You can sanity-check it: it should be the same distance from each end, and it is.
A common mistake
Add the coordinates before dividing, and keep x with x and y with y. Subtracting instead of adding is the usual slip, that gives you the distance components, not the midpoint.
Calculate it instantly
Enter two points below and the midpoint calculator returns the halfway point with the working shown.
📐 Try the free tool Midpoint Calculator Free midpoint calculator: enter two points (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) to find the midpoint and the distance between them, with the midpoint formula and clear steps.To measure how far apart the two points are, see the distance formula guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the midpoint formula?
The midpoint of points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is ((x1 plus x2) divided by 2, (y1 plus y2) divided by 2). You average the x values and average the y values.
How do you find the midpoint of two points?
Add the two x coordinates and divide by 2 to get the midpoint x, then add the two y coordinates and divide by 2 to get the midpoint y. Combine them into a single point.
What is the difference between the midpoint and distance formulas?
The midpoint formula finds the point halfway between two coordinates by averaging them. The distance formula finds how far apart they are using the Pythagorean theorem.