MIN Function

The MIN function returns the smallest numeric value in the data provided. The MIN function can be used to return the smallest value from any type of numeric data. For example, MIN can return the fastest time in a race, the earliest date, the smallest percentage, the lowest temperature, or the bottom sales number. 

The MIN function takes multiple arguments in the form number1, number2, number3, etc. up to 255 total. Arguments can be a hardcoded constant, a cell reference, or a range, in any combination. MIN ignores empty cells, text values, and the logical values TRUE and FALSE.

Basic example

The MIN function returns the smallest numeric value in supplied data:

=MIN(12,17,25,11,23) // returns 11

When given a range, MIN returns the smallest value in the range:

=MIN(A1:A10) // minimum value in A1:A10

Mixed arguments

The MIN function can accept a mix of arguments:

=MIN(5,10)
=MIN(A1,A2,A3)
=MIN(A1:A10,1)
=MIN(A1:A10,C1:C10)

Logical values

The MIN function will ignore logical values and numbers entered as text that appear on the worksheet. However, if such values are provided directly as arguments, MIN will use them:

=MIN(5,TRUE) // returns 1
=MIN(7,5,"3") // returns 3

Errors

When MIN encounters an error in a range, it will return an error. To calculate a minimum value while ignoring errors, you can use the AGGREGATE function, which can be configured to ignore errors.

Other functions

Excel provides other functions that deal with minimum values and rank:

• To calculate the minimum value with criteria, use the MINIFS function.
• To retrieve the nth smallest value in a data set, use the SMALL function.
• To determine the rank of a number in a set of data, use the RANK function.

Notes

• Arguments can be provided as numbers, names, arrays, or references.
• MIN accepts up to 255 arguments. If arguments contain no numbers, MIN returns 0.
• MIN ignores empty cells, text values, and TRUE and FALSE in references.
• MIN will evaluate numbers as text and logical values supplied directly as arguments.
• To include logical values in a reference, see the MINA function.