MIN Function in Google Sheets
Use MIN to return the smallest number in a range — the lowest price, the earliest date, the minimum stock level.
=MIN(A2:A100)
Returns the single smallest number found in A2:A100. Text and blanks are ignored.
How it works
MIN scans a range and returns the smallest numeric value, skipping text and empty cells. Since dates are numbers, MIN also returns the earliest date in a column. If you need to ignore zeros or apply a condition, use MINIFS or a small array trick.
Variations
Min that meets a condition (MINIFS)
=MINIFS(B2:B100, A2:A100, "North")
Smallest value in B where column A equals "North".
Smallest value above zero
=MINIFS(A2:A100, A2:A100, ">0")
Ignores zeros and negatives.
Earliest date
=MIN(A2:A100)
Format the result cell as a date.
Examples
| Scenario | Formula |
|---|---|
| Lowest price in the list | =MIN(C2:C) |
| Earliest order date for a customer | =MINIFS(A2:A, B2:B, "Acme") |
FAQ
How do I get the minimum ignoring blanks?
MIN already ignores blank cells. To also ignore zeros use =MINIFS(range,range,">0").
How do I find the row that holds the minimum?
Use INDEX/MATCH: =INDEX(A2:A100, MATCH(MIN(B2:B100), B2:B100, 0)).
What is the difference between MIN and SMALL?
MIN returns the smallest value; SMALL(range, k) returns the k-th smallest, so SMALL(range,1) equals MIN.