The MySQL MIN() function is used to get the smallest value in a number set. Suppose you have a table with a list of different products and their corresponding prices; you would want to know which one has the lowest price. Here, the MIN() function will return that answer to you in the easiest possible way without searching through all the prices.

This will also help in returning the minimum value in any column, be it prices, ages, scores, or any other numerical data. It eases your work and helps you to produce accurate results within the shortest time.

MySQL MIN() Function

The MySQL MIN() function is used to find the smallest value in a specified column within a table. It’s helpful for quickly identifying the minimum numerical, date, or other data type values without manually searching through all the entries.

Syntax of MySQL MIN() Function

SELECT MIN(column_name)
FROM table_name
WHERE condition;

where,

• column_name: The column from which you want to retrieve the least value.
• table_name: str The name of the table containing column.
• condition: This is an optional part. You can put conditions here to filter rows before finding the minimum value.

Examples of MySQL MIN() Function

Create a Table

CREATE TABLE sales (
    sale_id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    product_id INT,
    customer_id INT,
    amount DECIMAL(10, 2),
    sale_date DATE
);

Insert Data into the Table

INSERT INTO sales (product_id, customer_id, amount, sale_date)
VALUES
(101, 201, 300.00, '2024-01-15'),
(102, 202, 150.00, '2024-01-20'),
(101, 203, 200.00, '2024-02-10'),
(103, 204, 450.00, '2024-02-15'),
(102, 205, 100.00, '2024-03-05');

Output:

SELECT MIN(product_id) FROM sales;

SELECT MIN(amount) AS minimum_amount
FROM sales
WHERE amount > 150;

SELECT product_id, MIN(amount) AS minimum_amount
FROM sales
GROUP BY product_id;