Statistical
MIN Function in Excel
Returns the smallest value in a set of values.
Syntax
- =MIN(number1, [number2], ...)
Arguments
- number1 (required): First number or range
- number2 (optional): Additional numbers or ranges
Examples
- =MIN(A1:A100) - Find smallest value in range - Result: Minimum value
- =MIN(A1:A10, B1:B10, 0) - Min across multiple ranges and value - Result: Overall minimum
Excel MIN function documentation
- MIN returns the smallest numeric value in a range or argument list.
- Syntax: =MIN(number1, [number2], …). Ignores text and blank cells.
- Use [MINIFS](/functions/minifs/) for conditional minimums by region, product, or date.
- Related: [MAX](/functions/max/), [SMALL](/functions/small/), [AGGREGATE](/functions/aggregate/).
MIN syntax and practical notes
- All-text or empty range returns 0.
- Negative values are included; MIN returns the most negative number.
- On date columns MIN returns the earliest date.
- Zeros are numeric — MIN may return 0 if zeros exist and are the smallest values.
Step-by-step: find lowest price in a list
- Step 1 — Prices in column C rows 2–200.
- Step 2 — =MIN(C2:C200) for lowest price.
- Step 3 — Product name: =INDEX(A:A, MATCH(MIN(C:C), C:C, 0)).
- Step 4 — Exclude zero placeholders with =MINIFS(C:C, C:C, ">0") when available.
- Step 5 — Validate against sorted table or filter Sort Smallest to Largest.
MIN vs MINIFS vs SMALL
- MIN — single smallest value in range.
- MINIFS — smallest among rows matching criteria.
- SMALL — nth smallest value — second-lowest =SMALL(range, 2).
- Pair MIN with conditional formatting icons for quick visual scans.
Worked examples to copy
- Lowest score: =MIN(E2:E50).
- Earliest ship date: =MIN(G:G) on date column.
- Floor vs ceiling check: compare =MIN(range) and =MAX(range) on same KPI.
- With AGGREGATE: =AGGREGATE(5, 6, range) for MIN ignoring errors.
People also ask
- Does MIN include zero? — Yes, if zero is the smallest numeric value.
- MIN on empty range? — Returns 0.
- MIN vs MINIFS? — MINIFS adds criteria filters before finding minimum.
- MIN with negative numbers? — Returns the most negative value in the set.
Common errors
- Returns 0 if range contains only text/blanks
- Ignores logical values and text
Use cases
- Finding minimums
- Data validation
- Range analysis
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between MIN and MINIFS? MIN finds the smallest value unconditionally. MINIFS finds the smallest value meeting criteria: =MINIFS(B:B, A:A, "East") finds min in B where A is East.
- How do I find the minimum excluding zeros? Use MINIFS: =MINIFS(A:A, A:A, ">0") finds minimum positive value. Or array formula: =MIN(IF(A:A>0, A:A)) with Ctrl+Shift+Enter in older Excel.
- How do I find the second smallest value? Use SMALL: =SMALL(A:A, 2) returns second smallest. =SMALL(A:A, 3) returns third smallest. MIN is equivalent to SMALL(range, 1).
- Can MIN find the earliest date? Yes! =MIN(DateColumn) returns the earliest date since dates are numbers. Format result as date. Use MINIFS for conditional: =MINIFS(Dates, Status, "Complete").
- Does MIN include negative numbers? Yes, MIN includes all numbers including negatives. =MIN(-5, 0, 5) returns -5. To find minimum absolute value, use =MIN(ABS(range)) as array formula.
Editorial review
- Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.
When to use MIN
- Finding minimums — common Statistical scenario for MIN.
- Data validation — common Statistical scenario for MIN.
- Range analysis — common Statistical scenario for MIN.
MIN in the Statistical category
- Browse all Statistical functions at /categories/statistical/ for related formulas.
- MIN syntax: =MIN(number1, [number2], ...)
- number1 (required): First number or range
- number2 (optional): Additional numbers or ranges
- Confirm MIN arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
- Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
Formula checklist before you copy down
- Confirm MIN arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
- Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
- If results look wrong, check for text stored as numbers and invisible spaces with TRIM.
- Spot-check three known input rows manually against expected output.
Related Excel functions
- MAX (/functions/max/): Returns the largest value in a set of values.
- MINIFS (/functions/minifs/): Returns the minimum value among cells that meet multiple criteria.
- SMALL (/functions/small/): Returns the k-th smallest value in a data set.
- MINA (/functions/mina/): Returns the smallest value in a list of arguments, including text and logical values. Text and FALSE = 0, TRUE = 1.
Errors to watch for
- Returns 0 if range contains only text/blanks — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.
- Ignores logical values and text — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.
Copy-paste audit workflow
- Enter MIN on three test rows with known expected output documented on a QA tab.
- Fill down only after absolute references are locked on lookup tables and rate tables.
- Compare against manual calculation or a calculator for financial and statistical functions.
- Search this directory for comparison guides when choosing between similar functions in the same category.
MIN worked examples to copy
- =MIN(A1:A100) — Find smallest value in range. Expected result: Minimum value.
- =MIN(A1:A10, B1:B10, 0) — Min across multiple ranges and value. Expected result: Overall minimum.
MIN reference summary for crawlers and offline review
- MIN belongs to the Statistical category in Excel. Returns the smallest value in a set of values.
- Full syntax: =MIN(number1, [number2], ...). Open /functions/min/ for parameters, FAQs, and related pages.
- Common mistakes: Returns 0 if range contains only text/blanks; Ignores logical values and text
- Pair this function with comparison guides when another Excel formula might fit the same task better.
- Review fix-excel-formula-errors when unexpected errors appear after upgrading Excel or sharing across locales.