Summary

MIN returns the smallest number in a set of values. It is the opposite of MAX, so instead of finding the highest number, it finds the lowest one.

That makes it useful for price checks, minimum scores, lowest temperatures, shortest times, and earliest numeric results. When you need the floor of a dataset, MIN gives you that answer right away.

Syntax

=MIN(number1, [number2], ...)

You can use one range, separate cell references, arrays, or typed values directly in the formula.

Arguments

• number1 - [required] The first number, range, array, or reference to evaluate.
• number2, ... - [optional] More values, ranges, arrays, or references to include.

MIN vs Other Functions

Using the MIN Function

MIN is useful when the low end matters more than the average. A buyer might use it to find the cheapest supplier quote. A teacher might use it to see the lowest score in a class. A team lead might use it to spot the shortest response time or the smallest daily output.

Microsoft notes the same kind of detail that shows up in MAX. If you type logical values or text versions of numbers directly into the argument list, Excel counts them. But if those values appear inside a range or reference, MIN only uses the numeric entries and ignores text, logical values, and blank cells. If you need logical values and text numbers in references counted too, MINA is the better choice.

MIN can also work with dates because Excel stores dates as numbers. In a list of valid dates, MIN returns the earliest one.

Example 1 - Find the lowest price in a range

This is the usual pattern. Excel scans the range and returns the smallest value.

=MIN(B1:B5) // Returns the lowest value in the range.

Example 2 - Compare typed numbers directly

You can also use MIN for quick comparisons when the values are typed straight into the formula.

=MIN(100,50,75) // Returns 50.

Example 3 - Pull the lowest value from a larger range

This works well for prices, scores, times, temperatures, and many other numeric lists.

=MIN(B1:B10) // Returns the smallest value in the range.

Example 4 - Use the floor value as a quick check

If you want to know the weakest result, lowest reading, or cheapest figure in a list, MIN gives you that floor fast.

=MIN(B1:B10) // Returns the lowest score in the range.

Conclusion Recap

• Main job: MIN returns the smallest number in a list.
• Flexible input: You can use ranges, arrays, references, or typed values.
• Reference behavior: In ranges, text, logical values, and blanks are ignored.
• No numeric values: If there are no numbers, the result is 0.
• Dates work: MIN can return the earliest date in a date range.
• Related option: Use MINA if you need logical values and text numbers in references included.