Interval vs. Range — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
"Interval" denotes a gap or space between two points or events, while "Range" refers to the span or extent between two limits. Both relate to distance or difference, but their contexts and usages differ.
Difference Between Interval and Range
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Key Differences
"Interval" and "Range" both express concepts of distance or difference, but their applications are distinct. An "Interval" often signifies a space or gap between two points, such as notes in music or values in mathematics.
Conversely, "Range" is generally understood as the extent between two limits or boundaries. In statistics, for instance, the range represents the difference between the highest and lowest values in a set.
In everyday language, "Interval" might refer to periods between events. For instance, an interval could denote the time between two scheduled trains. "Range," meanwhile, could refer to the variety or diversity within a collection or spectrum.
When talking about geographical terrain, "Range" can describe a chain of mountains. "Interval," in contrast, might not be as commonly applied in such a context.
In summation, while "Interval" and "Range" both touch on the idea of difference or distance, "Interval" emphasizes the space or gap, and "Range" underscores the span or scope.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
A gap or space between two points or events
The span or extent between two limits
Mathematical Context
The difference between two numbers or values
The difference between the maximum and minimum values
General Usage
Time or distance between events
Extent or variety within a spectrum
Geographical Context
Less commonly used
Refers to a chain of mountains or geographical span
Musical Reference
The difference in pitch between two notes
Not typically used in a musical context
Compare with Definitions
Interval
A set of numbers lying between two given numbers.
The interval [2,5] includes all numbers between 2 and 5.
Range
The extent of values a function can take.
The range of this function is from 1 to 10.
Interval
A space between two things.
The interval between the two trees was about ten feet.
Range
The distance over which something can be effective.
The missile has a range of 500 miles.
Interval
An intervening time
The day should be dry with sunny intervals
After his departure, there was an interval of many years without any meetings
Range
The area of variation between upper and lower limits on a particular scale
Grand hotels were outside my price range
The cost will be in the range of $1–5 million a day
Interval
A pause or break in activity
An interval of mourning
Range
A set of different things of the same general type
The company's new carpet range
The area offers a wide range of activities for the tourist
Interval
A space between two things; a gap.
Range
The distance within which a person can see or hear
Something lurked just beyond her range of vision
Interval
The difference in pitch between two sounds.
Range
A line or series of mountains or hills
A mountain range
Interval
A space between objects, points, or units, especially when making uniform amounts of separation
We set up hurdles at intervals of 15 yards around the track.
Range
A large area of open land for grazing or hunting
On dude ranches, tourists put on crisp new western gear to ride the range
Interval
An amount of time between events, especially of uniform duration separating events in a series
We ran laps at 30-second intervals.
Range
A large cooking stove with burners or hotplates and one or more ovens, all of which are kept continually hot
A wood-burning kitchen range
Interval
A segment of an athletic workout in which an athlete runs, swims, or does other exercise over a series of predetermined distances at regular time increments with intermittent rests.
Range
A row of buildings
Townesend's Durham quadrangle range at Trinity College
Interval
A set of numbers consisting of all the numbers between a pair of given numbers along with either, both, or none of the endpoints.
Range
The direction or position in which something lies
The range of the hills and valleys is nearly from north to south
Interval
A closed interval.
Range
Vary or extend between specified limits
Prices range from £30 to £100
Interval
An open interval.
Range
Place or arrange in a row or rows or in a specified manner
A table with half a dozen chairs ranged around it
Interval
A half-open interval.
Range
Place oneself or be placed in opposition to (a person or group)
Japan ranged herself against the European nations
Interval
A line segment representing the set of numbers in an interval.
Range
(of a person or animal) travel or wander over a wide area
Patrols ranged deep into enemy territory
Free-ranging groups of baboons
Tribes who ranged the windswept lands of the steppe
Interval
Chiefly British An intermission, as between acts of a play.
Range
Obtain the range of a target by adjustment after firing past it or short of it, or by the use of radar or laser equipment
Radar-type transmissions which appeared to be ranging on our convoys
Interval
(Music) The difference, usually expressed in the number of steps, between two pitches.
Range
(of a person or their lifestyle) orderly; settled
It's possible to be too rangé
By comparison with Strachey, Keynes was rangé
Interval
A distance in space.
Range
A number or grouping of things in the same category or within specified limits
Offers a range of financial services.
Jobs at different pay ranges.
Interval
A period of time.
The interval between contractions during childbirth
Range
An amount or extent of variation
A wide price range.
The range of genetic diversity.
Interval
(music) The difference (a ratio or logarithmic measure) in pitch between two notes, often referring to those two pitches themselves (otherwise known as a dyad).
Range
(Music) The gamut of tones that a voice or instrument is capable of producing. Also called compass.
Interval
(mathematics) A connected section of the real line which may be empty or have a length of zero.
Range
A class, rank, or order
The lower ranges of society.
Interval
An intermission.
Range
Extent of perception, knowledge, experience, or ability
Calculus is simply out of my range.
Interval
(sports) half time, a scheduled intermission between the periods of play
Range
The area or sphere in which an activity takes place
Beyond the range of the court's jurisdiction.
Interval
(cricket) Either of the two breaks, at lunch and tea, between the three sessions of a day's play
Range
The maximum extent or distance limiting operation, action, or effectiveness, as of a sound, radio signal, instrument, firearm, or aircraft
The limited range of the telescope.
Out of range of their guns.
Within hearing range.
Interval
A space between things; a void space intervening between any two objects; as, an interval between two houses or hills.
'Twixt host and host but narrow space was left,A dreadful interval.
Range
The maximum distance that can be covered by a vehicle with a specified payload before its fuel supply is exhausted.
Interval
Space of time between any two points or events; as, the interval between the death of Charles I. of England, and the accession of Charles II.
Range
The distance between a projectile weapon and its target.
Interval
A brief space of time between the recurrence of similar conditions or states; as, the interval between paroxysms of pain; intervals of sanity or delirium.
Range
A place equipped for practice in shooting at targets.
Interval
Difference in pitch between any two tones.
Range
A testing area at which rockets and missiles are launched and tracked.
Interval
A definite length of time marked off by two instants
Range
A place or business where golf shots can be practiced.
Interval
A set containing all points (or all real numbers) between two given endpoints
Range
An extensive area of open land on which livestock wander and graze.
Interval
The distance between things;
Fragile items require separation and cushioning
Range
The geographic region in which a plant, animal, or other organism normally lives or grows.
Interval
The difference in pitch between two notes
Range
The opportunity or freedom to wander or explore
We had free range of the campus.
Interval
A period of time between events.
There's a 15-minute interval between the two shows.
Range
(Mathematics) The set of all values a given function may take on.
Interval
The difference in pitch between two musical notes.
The interval from C to E is a major third.
Range
(Statistics) The difference or interval between the smallest and largest values in a frequency distribution or a set of data.
Interval
A pause or break in activity.
The players took an interval for rest.
Range
A group or series of things extending in a line or row, especially a row or chain of mountains.
Range
One of a series of double-faced bookcases in a library stack room.
Range
A north-south strip of townships, each six miles square, numbered east and west from a specified meridian in a US public land survey.
Range
A stove with spaces for cooking a number of things at the same time.
Range
To vary within specified limits
Sizes that range from small to extra large.
Range
To extend in a particular direction
A river that ranges to the east.
Range
To cover or have application to a number of things
Their conversation ranged over the major issues of the day. Her responsibilities range across all aspects of the negotiations.
Range
To move through, along, or around in an area or region
Raiders ranged up and down the coast.
Range
To wander freely; roam
Allowed the animals to range freely.
Range
To look over something or around an area or place
The teacher's eyes ranged over the class.
Range
To live or grow within a particular region
"Some animals and plants range over a large portion of the world, yet retain the same character" (Charles Darwin).
Range
To arrange or dispose in a particular order, especially in rows or lines
"In the front seats of the galleries were ranged the ladies of the court" (Carolly Erickson).
Range
To assign to a particular category; classify
Her works are often ranged under the headings Mystery and Science Fiction.
Range
To move through or along or around in (an area or region)
The scouts ranged the mountain forests. The patrol boat ranged the coast.
Range
To look over or throughout (something)
His eyes ranged the room, looking for the letter.
Range
To turn (livestock) onto an extensive area of open land for grazing.
Range
To align (a gun, for example) with a target.
Range
To determine the distance of (a target).
Range
To be capable of reaching (a maximum distance).
Range
(Nautical) To uncoil (an anchor cable) on deck so the anchor may descend easily.
Range
A line or series of mountains, buildings, etc.
Range
A fireplace; a fire or other cooking apparatus; now specifically, a large cooking stove with many hotplates.
Range
Selection, array.
We sell a wide range of cars.
Range
An area for practicing shooting at targets.
Range
An area for military training or equipment testing.
Range
The distance from a person or sensor to an object, target, emanation, or event.
We could see the ship at a range of five miles.
One can use the speed of sound to estimate the range of a lightning flash.
Range
The maximum distance or reach of capability (of a weapon, radio, detector, etc.).
This missile's range is 500 kilometres.
Range
The distance a vehicle (e.g., a car, bicycle, lorry, or aircraft) can travel without refueling.
This aircraft's range is 15 000 kilometres.
Range
An area of open, often unfenced, grazing land.
Range
The extent or space taken in by anything excursive; compass or extent of excursion; reach; scope.
Range
(mathematics) The set of values (points) which a function can obtain.
Range
(statistics) The length of the smallest interval which contains all the data in a sample; the difference between the largest and smallest observations in the sample.
Range
The defensive area that a player can cover.
Jones has good range for a big man.
Range
(music) The scale of all the tones a voice or an instrument can produce.
Range
(ecology) The geographical area or zone where a species is normally naturally found.
Range
(programming) A sequential list of values specified by an iterator.
Calls the given function on each value in the input range.
Range
An aggregate of individuals in one rank or degree; an order; a class.
Range
(obsolete) The step of a ladder; a rung.
Range
A bolting sieve to sift meal.
Range
A wandering or roving; a going to and fro; an excursion; a ramble; an expedition.
Range
In the public land system, a row or line of townships lying between two succession meridian lines six miles apart.
Range
The variety of roles that an actor can play in a satisfactory way.
By playing in comedies as well as in dramas he has proved his range as an actor.
By playing in comedies as well as in dramas he has proved his acting range.
Range
(intransitive) To travel over (an area, etc); to roam, wander.
Range
(transitive) To rove over or through.
To range the fields
Range
To exercise the power of something over something else; to cause to submit to, over.
Range
(transitive) To bring (something) into a specified position or relationship (especially, of opposition) with something else.
Range
(intransitive) Of a variable, to be able to take any of the values in a specified range.
The variable x ranges over all real values from 0 to 10.
Range
(transitive) To classify.
To range plants and animals in genera and species
Range
(intransitive) To form a line or a row.
The front of a house ranges with the street.
Range
(intransitive) To be placed in order; to be ranked; to admit of arrangement or classification; to rank.
Range
(transitive) To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or lines, or in ranks; to dispose in the proper order.
Range
(transitive) To place among others in a line, row, or order, as in the ranks of an army; usually, reflexively and figuratively, to espouse a cause, to join a party, etc.
Range
(biology) To be native to, or live in, a certain district or region.
The peba ranges from Texas to Paraguay.
Range
To determine the range to a target.
Range
To sail or pass in a direction parallel to or near.
To range the coast
Range
(baseball) Of a player, to travel a significant distance for a defensive play.
Range
To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or lines, or in ranks; to dispose in the proper order; to rank; as, to range soldiers in line.
Maccabeus ranged his army by bands.
Range
To place (as a single individual) among others in a line, row, or order, as in the ranks of an army; - usually, reflexively and figuratively, (in the sense) to espouse a cause, to join a party, etc.
It would be absurd in me to range myself on the side of the Duke of Bedford and the corresponding society.
Range
To separate into parts; to sift.
Range
To dispose in a classified or in systematic order; to arrange regularly; as, to range plants and animals in genera and species.
Range
To rove over or through; as, to range the fields.
Teach him to range the ditch, and force the brake.
Range
To sail or pass in a direction parallel to or near; as, to range the coast.
Range
To be native to, or to live in; to frequent.
Range
To rove at large; to wander without restraint or direction; to roam.
Like a ranging spaniel that barks at every bird he sees.
Range
To have range; to change or differ within limits; to be capable of projecting, or to admit of being projected, especially as to horizontal distance; as, the temperature ranged through seventy degrees Fahrenheit; the gun ranges three miles; the shot ranged four miles.
Range
To be placed in order; to be ranked; to admit of arrangement or classification; to rank.
And range with humble livers in content.
Range
To have a certain direction; to correspond in direction; to be or keep in a corresponding line; to trend or run; - often followed by with; as, the front of a house ranges with the street; to range along the coast.
Which way the forests range.
Range
To be native to, or live in, a certain district or region; as, the peba ranges from Texas to Paraguay.
Range
A series of things in a line; a row; a rank; as, a range of buildings; a range of mountains.
Range
An aggregate of individuals in one rank or degree; an order; a class.
The next range of beings above him are the immaterial intelligences.
Range
The step of a ladder; a rung.
Range
A kitchen grate.
He was bid at his first coming to take off the range, and let down the cinders.
Range
An extended cooking apparatus of cast iron, set in brickwork, and affording conveniences for various ways of cooking; also, a kind of cooking stove.
Range
A bolting sieve to sift meal.
Range
A wandering or roving; a going to and fro; an excursion; a ramble; an expedition.
He may take a range all the world over.
Range
That which may be ranged over; place or room for excursion; especially, a region of country in which cattle or sheep may wander and pasture.
Range
Extent or space taken in by anything excursive; compass or extent of excursion; reach; scope; discursive power; as, the range of one's voice, or authority.
Far as creation's ample range extends.
The range and compass of Hammond's knowledge filled the whole circle of the arts.
A man has not enough range of thought.
Range
The region within which a plant or animal naturally lives.
Range
The horizontal distance to which a shot or other projectile is carried.
Range
In the public land system of the United States, a row or line of townships lying between two successive meridian lines six miles apart.
Range
See Range of cable, below.
Range
An area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
The range of a supersonic jet
The ambit of municipal legislation
Within the compass of this article
Within the scope of an investigation
Outside the reach of the law
In the political orbit of a world power
Range
The limits within which something can be effective;
Range of motion
He was beyond the reach of their fire
Range
A large tract of grassy open land on which livestock can graze;
They used to drive the cattle across the open range every spring
He dreamed of a home on the range
Range
A series of hills or mountains;
The valley was between two ranges of hills
The plains lay just beyond the mountain range
Range
A place for shooting (firing or driving) projectiles of various kinds;
The army maintains a missile range in the desert
Any good golf club will have a range where you can practice
Range
The limits of the values a function can take;
The range of this function is the interval from 0 to 1
Range
A variety of different things or activities;
He answered a range of questions
He was impressed by the range and diversity of the collection
Range
The limit of capability;
Within the compass of education
Range
A kitchen appliance used for cooking food;
Dinner was already on the stove
Range
Change or be different within limits;
Estimates for the losses in the earthquake range as high as $2 billion
Interest rates run from 5 to 10 percent
The instruments ranged from tuba to cymbals
My students range from very bright to dull
Range
Move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment;
The gypsies roamed the woods
Roving vagabonds
The wandering Jew
The cattle roam across the prairie
The laborers drift from one town to the next
They rolled from town to town
Range
Have a range; be capable of projecting over a certain distance, as of a gun;
This gun ranges over two miles
Range
Range or extend over; occupy a certain area;
The plants straddle the entire state
Range
Lay out in a line
Range
Feed as in a meadow or pasture;
The herd was grazing
Range
Let eat;
Range the animals in the prairie
Range
Assign a rank or rating to;
How would you rank these students?
The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide
Range
A chain of mountains or hills.
The Rocky Mountain Range stretches across several states.
Range
A variety or assortment.
The store offers a wide range of products.
Range
The difference between the highest and lowest values.
The range of temperatures today is 20°F to 75°F.
Common Curiosities
In statistics, what does "Range" represent?
It represents the difference between the highest and lowest values in a set.
How does "Interval" function in mathematics?
It represents a set of numbers lying between two given numbers.
Is "Range" used in music like "Interval"?
Not typically. In music, "Interval" refers to the difference in pitch between notes.
Can "Range" refer to geographical features?
Yes, like a chain of mountains or hills.
Are "Interval" and "Range" synonymous?
No, while both relate to distance or difference, their contexts and usages differ.
Can "Interval" relate to time?
Yes, it can refer to periods between events or occurrences.
What does "Range" mean in terms of weaponry?
It denotes the distance over which a weapon can be effective.
Does "Range" always refer to physical distance?
No, it can also denote variety or the extent of values a function can take.
How does "Range" relate to variety?
It can refer to the assortment or diversity within a collection or spectrum.
How do "Interval" and "Range" differ in a mathematical context?
"Interval" is the difference between two values, while "Range" is the span of all potential values.
Can "Interval" indicate a break in activity?
Yes, like a pause during a play or sporting event.
Can "Interval" be used in the context of music?
Yes, it refers to the difference in pitch between two musical notes.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
