Excel MIN Function Examples: Find the Smallest Value

Excel’s MIN function returns the smallest number in a set of values. For example, with scores in B2:B8, enter =MIN(B2:B8) in another cell; if the lowest score is 9, the result is 9. MIN can also compare separate ranges, find the earliest date, or—when paired with MINIFS—find the smallest value that meets criteria.

How the MIN function works

MIN is a built-in Excel function that examines the numeric values supplied to it and returns the lowest one. Its arguments can include numbers, cell references, ranges, or a combination of those. You can type a formula directly into a cell, or select the cell, type an equals sign and the function name, then select the values you want to compare.

In Microsoft 365 for Windows, the familiar form is =MIN(number1, [number2], ...). The first argument is required; additional arguments are optional. The square brackets in this notation indicate optional arguments—they are not typed into a formula. A range such as B2:B8 counts as one argument, even though it contains several cells.

MIN is useful when you need a value rather than the position of a value. It tells you that the lowest price is $4, for instance, but not which product has that price. To identify the matching row, you would need a separate lookup formula or another method.

Basic examples with one range

Suppose B2:B8 contains the numbers 18, 12, 25, 9, 31, 14, and 22. With those scores in B2:B8, enter =MIN(B2:B8) in an empty cell. The result is 9, because 9 is the smallest number in that range. If a new score is entered in B9, expand the range to include it or use a suitably sized range in the first place.

MIN can also compare a short, manually entered list. With no particular cell layout required, =MIN(18,12,25,9,31) returns 9. This can be handy for a quick calculation, but cell references are usually easier to maintain: when source values change, a formula that points to cells updates automatically.

For a single cell, MIN simply returns its numeric value. With a range, it checks all included cells. You can select a range with the mouse while building the formula, or type its address using a colon between the first and last cell references. Check that the range covers all intended records; a correct formula can still produce a misleading answer if the range omits a row.

Compare separate ranges or individual values

You are not limited to one continuous block. MIN can compare more than one range in the same formula, which is useful when figures are stored in separate columns or on different parts of a worksheet.

For example, suppose B2:B4 contains 11, 7, and 16, while D2:D4 contains 5, 13, and 8. With those values in the stated cells, enter =MIN(B2:B4,D2:D4). The result is 5, the smallest number across both ranges. You can also include an individual number as another argument, as in =MIN(B2:B4,D2:D4,3); with the same cell layout, that formula returns 3.

Separate arguments are divided by commas in the standard Windows Excel formula syntax used here. If your Excel regional settings use a different list separator, Excel may display or expect another separator. The colon inside a range, such as B2:B4, means “from this cell through that cell”; it is not an argument separator.

Find the earliest date or smallest time

Excel stores dates as serial numbers, so MIN can find the earliest date by comparing date cells. For example, if A2:A5 contains valid Excel dates—May 12, May 3, June 1, and May 20, 2026—with those dates in A2:A5, enter =MIN(A2:A5). The result is May 3, 2026, provided the result cell is formatted as a date. If it displays a number instead, the calculation may still be correct; change the cell’s number format to a date.

The same idea works with times because Excel represents times as fractions of a day. With time values in C2:C6, =MIN(C2:C6) returns the earliest time. Format the result cell as a time if Excel displays a decimal. Dates and times stored as text may not be treated as actual date or time values, so check the cell contents if the result is unexpected.

A date-only comparison and a date-and-time comparison can give different answers. If cells contain both dates and times, MIN returns the earliest timestamp, not merely the earliest calendar date. For example, 9:00 a.m. on one day is later than 4:00 p.m. on the previous day.

Find a minimum that meets criteria with MINIFS

MIN returns the lowest value in all the values it receives; it does not have a built-in condition such as “only rows for the East region.” For that task, use MINIFS, which is available in Microsoft 365 and Excel 2019 or later. MINIFS takes a range to minimize, followed by one or more criteria-range and criterion pairs. The ranges used for the criteria should match the size and shape of the minimum range.

Imagine a small table with regions in A2:A6 and sales amounts in C2:C6. If the regions are East, West, East, North, and East, and the corresponding amounts are 18, 11, 12, 20, and 15, enter =MINIFS(C2:C6,A2:A6,"East"). The result is 12: it is the smallest amount among the East rows, not the smallest amount in the entire table.

You can add more than one condition. Suppose product names are in B2:B6 in the same table, and the products are Widget, Widget, Gadget, Widget, and Gadget. With that layout, enter =MINIFS(C2:C6,A2:A6,"East",B2:B6,"Widget"). The result is 18, because only the first row meets both conditions. Criteria can also use comparison operators. With numbers in C2:C6, =MINIFS(C2:C6,C2:C6,"<20") returns the smallest number below 20. The comparison operator and value are written together inside the criteria text.

If no values meet the criteria, MINIFS returns 0. That zero can be mistaken for a genuine minimum, so consider checking whether any records match before relying on the result. Also verify that the criteria ranges align row-for-row with the minimum range; ranges of different sizes can cause an error.

How blanks, text, zeros, and negative numbers behave

MIN ignores empty cells, text, and logical values when they are in a referenced range. For example, if B2:B6 contains 8, a blank, the text “pending,” 3, and 10, then with those entries in B2:B6, =MIN(B2:B6) returns 3. Text that looks like a number but is stored as text is not the same as a numeric value in the referenced range, so it may be skipped.

A zero is a number, not a blank. If a range contains 0 and positive values, MIN returns 0. If zero means “not yet entered” in your worksheet, decide whether it should count before interpreting the answer. You may need to clean the data or use a criteria-based calculation that excludes such entries.

Negative numbers count normally and are smaller than positive numbers and zero. If B2:B5 contains 6, -2, 0, and 4, then with those values in B2:B5, =MIN(B2:B5) returns -2. A common mistake is to think MIN finds the smallest absolute magnitude; it does not. The smallest value on the number line is the most negative one.

There is a useful distinction between values in a referenced range and values entered directly as arguments. Text and logical values inside a referenced range are ignored, while logical values and numeric text supplied directly as arguments can be evaluated as arguments. For predictable results, use cells containing actual numbers and check how the data is stored.

Common problems and ways to check the result

If the result looks wrong, first confirm that the formula includes the intended cells and that those cells contain numbers rather than text. Check for hidden or filtered-out records as well: MIN normally evaluates values in its referenced range even when rows are hidden or filtered out. Filtering a table does not automatically limit MIN to visible rows.

An error value in a referenced range can cause the MIN formula to return an error rather than a number. Find and correct the source error if it is not expected. Also check whether the result cell’s format is disguising the answer—for example, a date serial displayed as a general number, or a small decimal displayed with too few decimal places.

Confirm the formula’s range includes the first and last intended records.
Check whether numbers that look like numbers are stored as text.
Decide whether zeros, negative values, and hidden rows should count.
For MINIFS, check every criteria range and criterion, and verify the ranges align.
Inspect the result cell’s number format before concluding the calculation failed.

MIN compared with MINIFS and related approaches

Choose MIN when every numeric value in the supplied range should be considered. Choose MINIFS when the answer depends on one or more conditions, such as the cheapest item in a category or the lowest measurement for a particular location. MINIFS makes those conditions explicit in the formula and is generally easier to audit than manually filtering a list and selecting a value.

Neither function returns the associated label or record. If MIN returns the lowest price but you also need the product name, use a separate lookup approach or inspect the row containing that value. If tied values matter, remember that a minimum alone does not show how many records share it. A count or lookup formula can answer those additional questions.

In Excel for Mac and Excel for the web, MIN and MINIFS formulas work with the same basic syntax. The surrounding interface can differ, but the function names and the examples here do not require a Windows-only feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does MIN do in Excel?
MIN returns the smallest numeric value among the numbers, cells, or ranges supplied to it. It does not identify the row or label associated with that value.

Does MIN ignore blank cells?
Yes. MIN ignores empty cells in a referenced range, along with text and logical values there. A numeric zero is not blank, so it can become the result.

Why does Excel MIN return 0?
The range may contain a real zero, or it may contain no numeric values for MIN to evaluate. Check for numbers stored as text and confirm that your selected range is correct.

Can MIN find the smallest value that meets a condition?
Use MINIFS in Microsoft 365 or Excel 2019 and later. It can find the minimum from a range while applying one or more criteria to matching ranges.

Can MIN return the earliest date?
Yes, if the cells contain real Excel dates. MIN returns the earliest date value; format the result cell as a date if it appears as a number.

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Sources: Function behaviour and menu paths: Microsoft Support documentation for Excel. Method & sources

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