Excel 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.

Examples

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

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

The MIN function can accept values as separate arguments or in ranges or arrays:

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

MIN ignores logical values and numbers entered as text, unless they are provided as arguments:

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

To return 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.