MIN Function in Google Sheets
Returns the smallest numeric value in a range or set of arguments. The mirror of MAX, commonly used to find lows or enforce ceilings on values.
Syntax
MIN(value1, [value2, ...])Returns: The smallest number among the arguments. Text and blanks are ignored.
Excel equivalent: MIN (identical)
Parameters
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| value1, value2, ... | Required | Numbers, ranges, or expressions to find the minimum of. |
Examples
Lowest score in a class
=MIN(B2:B30)Returns the smallest number in B2:B30.
Enforce a ceiling
=MIN(A2, 100)If A2 is over 100, return 100; otherwise return A2. The classic "cap at 100" pattern.
Smallest non-zero value
=MIN(IF(A2:A100>0, A2:A100))Entered as an array formula (Ctrl+Shift+Enter or wrapped in ARRAYFORMULA). Filters out zeros and blanks before finding the minimum.
When to use an alternative
- MINIFS — You want the min only for rows matching one or more conditions.
- SMALL — You want the Nth smallest value (SMALL(range, 1) = MIN).
- QUERY with ORDER BY ASC LIMIT 1 — You want the row metadata alongside the min value.
Common errors and how to fix them
Returns 0 when you wanted the smallest positive value
Cause: Range contains zeros and MIN includes them.
Fix: Use MINIFS(range, range, ">0") to find the smallest value greater than zero.
Wrong minimum
Cause: Numbers stored as text are skipped.
Fix: Convert with VALUE() or use MINA which treats text as 0.
Related functions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the smallest non-zero value?
Use MINIFS(range, range, ">0") — it returns the smallest value in range that's greater than zero, ignoring zeros and negatives. For dynamic versions wrap with FILTER first.
Does MIN treat blank cells as zero?
No. Blank cells are ignored, not treated as zero. A range of [5, blank, 10] has MIN = 5. But a range of [5, 0, 10] has MIN = 0 because the explicit zero counts.