MIN

Aggregate

Returns the minimum value in a column. Works with numbers, dates, and strings.

Syntax

MIN(col)

Example

SELECT MIN(price) as cheapest,
       MIN(created_at) as oldest
FROM products;

About SQL MIN

The MIN keyword belongs to the Aggregate category of SQL statements. Returns the minimum value in a column. Works with numbers, dates, and strings. Understanding this command is essential for any developer working with relational databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, or SQL Server.

SQL (Structured Query Language) is the standard language for managing and querying relational databases. The MIN statement is supported across all major database systems, though specific syntax may vary slightly between PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, SQL Server, and SQLite. Always consult your database's documentation for vendor-specific features and limitations.

Best practices for using MIN: always test queries on a development database before running them in production, use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection, and leverage EXPLAIN to understand query performance. For complex queries, consider using CTEs (Common Table Expressions) to improve readability and maintainability.

Related SQL Keywords

MAXAVGSUMCOUNT