Python min() Function: Usage and Examples

A small report summarizes a collection without creating additional indexing logic.

What You Need to Understand

min() finds the smallest value in an iterable or among several arguments. It works on an iterable and is often clearer than writing a manual accumulation or search loop.

When to Use It

A small report summarizes a collection without creating additional indexing logic.

Step-by-Step Python Example

values = [7, 2, 9]
print(min(values))
print(min(["pear", "fig", "banana"], key=len))

How the Example Works

The smallest integer is 2. The length key selects fig as the shortest word.

Example Output

2
fig
1

A Second Example

Compare this smaller variation with the main example, then experiment with your own values.

values = (value for value in [1, 2, 3])
print(min(values))

Important Behavior and Edge Cases

An empty iterable raises ValueError without a default argument; mixed incomparable types may raise TypeError.

Try It Yourself

Adapt the values and predict the result, then verify it in Python.

Common Beginner Mistakes

An empty iterable raises ValueError without a default argument; mixed incomparable types may raise TypeError.
Overlooking how an iterable is consumed, how element positions are chosen, or whether a function creates a new list.

Key Takeaways

min() finds the smallest value in an iterable or among several arguments.
The smallest integer is 2.
An empty iterable raises ValueError without a default argument; mixed incomparable types may raise TypeError.